Andarine
Muscle Growth & Body CompositionAlso known as: S-4, GTx-007, Acetamidoxolutamide
Mechanism
Andarine was one of the first SARMs developed, showing strong anabolic effects on muscle and bone in preclinical studies. However, it is known for a unique visual side effect — a yellow tint to vision, especially at night — caused by off-target binding to retinal receptors. This limits its practical use.
Technical detail
Andarine (S-4) is a first-generation non-steroidal SARM developed by GTx Inc. It demonstrates partial AR agonism with anabolic activity in levator ani muscle (anabolic:androgenic ratio ~3:1 in rats). Its dose-limiting side effect is reversible visual disturbance (yellow tint, difficulty with dark adaptation) attributed to off-target binding at retinal receptors, likely related to structural similarity to certain retinal proteins. Development was deprioritized in favor of ostarine.