Overview
Stenabolic is commonly grouped with SARMs, though it is technically a Rev-ErbA agonist rather than a selective androgen receptor modulator. Rev-ErbA agonist — not a selective androgen receptor modulator.
With a half-life of ~4 hours, Stenabolic requires daily administration in most observed protocols. Administered via oral and SubQ injection, it has a bioavailability of approximately 2% via its primary route.
Extremely low oral bioavailability (~2%). Half-life approximately 4 hours. Non-suppressive to endogenous hormone production. One-compartment model.
Mechanism of Action
Stenabolic's pharmacological activity involves the following key pathways:
Selective Receptor Binding
Stenabolic is designed to selectively bind to androgen receptors in muscle and bone tissue, with reduced activity in other androgen-sensitive tissues.
Tissue Selectivity
The selectivity of Stenabolic is achieved through differential coactivator recruitment — the compound activates different downstream pathways depending on the tissue type.
Dosing Protocols
The following protocols represent commonly observed dosing patterns. These are observational summaries, not recommendations.
Dose
20 mg/day
Route
Oral
Frequency
2-3 times daily
Duration
8-12 weeks
Dose
30 mg/day
Route
Oral
Frequency
2-3 times daily
Duration
8-12 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SR-9009 and is it actually a SARM?
SR-9009 (Stenabolic) is not a SARM – it is a synthetic REV-ERB agonist developed at The Scripps Research Institute. It does not bind to androgen receptors or affect testosterone levels. Instead, it activates REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ nuclear receptors that regulate circadian rhythm, mitochondrial function, and energy metabolism. It is commonly grouped with SARMs in the performance community due to similar sourcing and use cases.
What is the half-life of SR-9009 and how should doses be split?
SR-9009 has a short half-life of approximately 4 hours, which necessitates multiple doses throughout the day to maintain stable blood levels. Splitting the daily dose into 3 administrations – morning, afternoon, and evening – is the most commonly reported approach. Some users split into 2 or even 4 doses depending on their schedule.
Does SR-9009 have low oral bioavailability?
Oral bioavailability is one of the most discussed limitations of SR-9009. Animal research has measured oral absorption at approximately 2%, though human pharmacokinetic data remains limited. This is why some users in the community have experimented with sublingual administration or injectable preparations to improve absorption. Results from oral dosing are frequently reported as variable.
Does SR-9009 require PCT after a cycle?
SR-9009 does not interact with the androgen receptor or the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, meaning it does not suppress natural testosterone production. Post-cycle therapy is generally not observed after SR-9009 cycles. This is one of the key distinctions between Stenabolic and actual SARMs that can cause hormonal suppression.
How long does SR-9009 take to show effects?
Endurance and energy improvements are commonly reported within the first 1–2 weeks of consistent dosing. Changes in body composition – particularly fat loss – are typically noted over 4–8 weeks. Due to the very short half-life, SR-9009 reaches pharmacokinetic steady state within approximately 1 day, but metabolic adaptations require sustained use.
Can SR-9009 be stacked with Cardarine?
Stacking SR-9009 with Cardarine (GW-501516) is one of the most commonly reported combinations in the endurance and cutting community. Both compounds target different metabolic pathways – SR-9009 activates REV-ERB while Cardarine activates PPARδ – and neither is hormonal, so the stack does not require PCT. Ostarine (MK-2866) is another frequently reported stacking partner for muscle preservation during a cut.