Short answer: LGD-4033 is the one with human muscle data: 1 mg a day for 21 days added 1.21 kg of lean mass in young men, and in older adults after hip fracture 0.5–2 mg a day for 12 weeks raised lean mass 4.75–9.08% more than placebo (Basaria 2013, NCT02578095). RAD-140 has never been tested for muscle in people; its only trial, in women with breast cancer, found liver-enzyme rises in most patients (LoRusso 2022). Users rate RAD-140 higher for strength and a lean, dry look and LGD-4033 higher for size and recovery; both suppress testosterone.
| RAD-140 | LGD-4033 | |
|---|---|---|
| Human muscle data | None | Two trials (+1.21 kg in 21 days; +4.75–9.08% vs placebo in 12 weeks) |
| Doses tested in people | 50–150 mg/day (women with cancer) | 0.1–2 mg/day |
| Half-life | ~45 h | 24–36 h |
| Testosterone | Cut by ~two-thirds in monkeys; not measured in men | Down at 0.1–1 mg/day; recovered by day 56 |
| Liver | AST 59%, ALT 45% in trial; case reports | No significant change in 21-day trial; case reports |
| Cholesterol | Not reported in men | HDL down with dose |
Source: Sarmguide compound database; RAD-140: Design, Synthesis, and Preclinical Characterization of the Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM) RAD140 (2011).
Compare them side by side, with sources, in the compare tool.
RAD 140 (Testostelone)
RAD-140 (testolone, vosilasarm) is a nonsteroidal SARM. The old “90:1 anabolic to androgenic ratio” on this page had no human source. In rats it acted on a hormone-sensitive muscle at very low doses with less prostate effect, and in young male monkeys 28 days raised body weight over 10% while cutting testosterone to about a third (Miller 2011). The breast cancer trial mentioned in the old version has since been published: 22 women, 50–150 mg a day, maximum tolerated dose 100 mg, AST up in 59% and ALT in 45% (LoRusso 2022). It is now being tested again as EP0062 (NCT05573126). Full profile: RAD-140 fact sheet.
LGD 4033 (Ligandrol)
LGD-4033 (ligandrol, VK5211) has two published placebo-controlled trials. In 76 healthy men, 0.1–1 mg a day for 21 days added up to 1.21 kg of lean mass without a significant change in strength, and lowered testosterone, SHBG and HDL with dose (Basaria 2013). In 108 older adults after hip fracture, 0.5–2 mg a day for 12 weeks raised lean mass 4.75–9.08% more than placebo (NCT02578095). The old claim that trials used up to 22 mg a day was wrong: the highest published dose is 2 mg. Full profile: LGD-4033 fact sheet.
RAD 140 VS LGD 4033 – Half-Life
RAD-140’s half-life was 44.7 hours in its Phase 1 trial (LoRusso 2022); the 60 hours quoted in the old version is not what the published trial reported. LGD-4033’s is 24–36 hours, with levels building up about threefold over three weeks (Basaria 2013). Both suit once-daily dosing; see RAD-140 morning or night and when to take LGD-4033.
RAD 140 VS LGD 4033 – Benefits
Only LGD-4033 has human benefit data (lean mass, not strength). The comparisons below are the original author’s experience with both, kept as written; they are anecdotal.
Muscle Mass
I gained around three more pounds of muscle mass with Ligandrol in comparison to Testolone. However, the muscle gained from RAD 140 felt a lot sturdier to the touch, which is something you should consider when choosing between the two SARMs.
Stamina
Ligandrol takes the cake on this one, as I felt like a million bucks in the gym and just wanted to keep on going, without ever stopping. RAD 140 had similar effects, but it was far less pronounced.
Strength
RAD 140 wins this one. It gave me insane strength and my pumps went through the roof. I never felt as powerful before, the feeling is simply beyond words.
On the other hand, Ligandrol also gave me strength, but without nearly as much potency when compared to RAD 140.
Recovery Times
Ligandrol gave me much shorter recovery times and I felt like I could go to the gym six to seven times a week without a problem.
RAD 140 didn’t have the same effect, but I still felt more rested in the mornings.
Motivation
Motivation was definitely higher while on RAD 140. The insane amount of strength that it gives you makes you just want to lift more and more. Almost every time you come to the gym, you break a personal record, which just makes you even more motivated to keep lifting. The feeling is just crazy.
Fat Loss
Another point for RAD 140. The fat loss is just way more pronounced while you’re on it in comparison to LGD 4033. I think I lost around 5% of my total body fat while on RAD 140, even though I was eating way more than my maintenance.
I actually gained an insignificant amount of body fat (0,5%) while on Ligandrol, as I’ve put on quite a bit of weight while on it.
Vascularity
Vascularity was way more pronounced while I was on RAD 140. I remember the strong pumps as if it were yesterday and my hands looking like two machines ready to destroy anyone and anything in their path. The fat loss properties of RAD 140 definitely helped with vascularity, which is another point you should consider.
RAD 140 VS LGD 4033 – Side Effects
What the research shows, followed by the author’s experience:
- Suppression: LGD-4033 lowered total testosterone and SHBG at every dose from 0.1 mg a day (Basaria 2013); RAD-140 cut testosterone by about two-thirds in monkeys (Miller 2011).
- Liver: RAD-140 raised liver enzymes in most trial patients, and both have cholestatic liver-injury case reports in users (Perananthan 2024, Barbara 2020).
- Heart: case reports describe myocarditis in young men using RAD-140 (myopericarditis case 2024).
Suppression
This is the big question on everyone’s minds – what were the differences in suppression between the two SARMs?
Ligandrol managed to suppress me on just a 2,5mg dosage per day. It was mild suppression and I didn’t require PCT, but I felt lethargy, and my libido levels plummeted.
Keep in mind that I took 10mgs of Testolone per day and that it suppressed me a lot more than Ligandrol.
I even considered giving up my cycle while on RAD 140; it did become a bit unbearable, but I managed to pull through.
I didn’t use PCT for RAD 140 and it took a bit longer for the suppression to subside in comparison to Ligandrol.
Aggression
I felt irritable and snappy while on RAD 140, every little thing bothered me. At that time, I thought that my life had become a lot more stressful for reasons unknown to me, but it turned out that Testolone was the culprit all along.
I didn’t have any problems with aggression or irritability while on Ligandrol.
Joint Pain
I have to admit that my joints did start hurting a bit once I put on some muscle with RAD 140.
Even though I had gained a lot more muscle mass while on Ligandrol, I didn’t feel any joint pain. (LGD-4033’s bone effects in people have not been reported, so that is not a known benefit.)
Water Retention
I didn’t experience it on neither of these two compounds, but just be aware that you’re far more likely to have it while using Ligandrol.
I didn’t feel any other side effects. Other users report worse; mislabeled products are part of the reason, since only 41% of 44 tested SARM products matched their label (Van Wagoner 2017), but the case reports show the compounds themselves can cause serious harm.
RAD 140 VS LGD 4033 – Results
From the trials: LGD-4033 adds measurable lean mass at low doses; RAD-140’s muscle effects in people are unknown. From the original author’s experience: about three more pounds of muscle on ligandrol, but more strength, motivation, fat loss and vascularity on RAD-140, which also suppressed him more (at 10 mg vs 2.5 mg of ligandrol). Reader transformations: RAD-140 before and after and LGD-4033 before and after.
RAD 140 VS LGD 4033 – Pricing
LGD-4033 is usually the cheaper of the two per cycle, partly because users take lower doses. Current prices at our partner shop are in the boxes on this page; why we chose it is in the SwissChems review.
Conclusion
LGD-4033 is the better-documented choice: it has human lean-mass data at 0.1–2 mg a day, along with measured drops in testosterone, SHBG and HDL. RAD-140 has animal data, user reports of more strength and leanness, and a clear liver-enzyme signal from its only trial. The original author favored ligandrol for size and recovery and RAD-140 for a shredded look. Whichever you weigh up, neither has a proven no-PCT dose, so bloodwork before and after is essential. More match-ups: YK11 vs RAD-140 and YK11 vs LGD-4033.
Frequently asked questions
Is RAD-140 or LGD-4033 better for muscle?
Only LGD-4033 has human dataEvidence: Trial
LGD-4033 added 1.21 kg of lean mass in 21 days at 1 mg a day, and 4.75–9.08% more lean mass than placebo over 12 weeks in older adults. RAD-140 has never been tested for muscle in people.
Which is more suppressive, RAD-140 or LGD-4033?
Unclear; both suppressEvidence: Trial
LGD-4033 lowered testosterone at doses as low as 0.1 mg a day; RAD-140 has not been measured in men but cut testosterone by about two-thirds in monkeys. The original author found RAD-140 at 10 mg more suppressive than ligandrol at 2.5 mg.
Can you stack RAD-140 and LGD-4033?
No dataEvidence: Limited
The combination has never been studied. Both act on the androgen receptor and suppress testosterone, so suppression would add up.
What is the half-life of RAD-140 vs LGD-4033?
About 45 h vs 24–36 hEvidence: Trial
RAD-140 was 44.7 hours in its trial; LGD-4033 is 24–36 hours.
Which is safer for the liver?
Neither is known to be safeEvidence: Trial
RAD-140 raised AST and ALT in most patients in its trial; LGD-4033 did not change liver enzymes significantly in its 21-day trial. Both have cholestatic liver-injury case reports.
Sources
- The safety, pharmacokinetics, and effects of LGD-4033, a novel nonsteroidal oral, selective androgen receptor modulator, in healthy young men
- ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02578095: Acute Hip Fracture Study in Patients 65 Years or Greater (VK5211), posted results
- A First-in-Human Phase 1 Study of a Novel Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM), RAD140, in ER+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer
- Design, Synthesis, and Preclinical Characterization of the Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM) RAD140
- ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05573126: Phase 1/2 Study to Evaluate EP0062 as Monotherapy and in Combination in Patients With Advanced or Metastatic AR+/HER2-/ER+ Breast Cancer
- Severe liver injury following use of RAD-140, a selective androgen receptor modulator, for body building
- Ligandrol (LGD-4033)-Induced Liver Injury
- Myopericarditis Following Use of Selective Androgen Receptor Modifier "RAD-140"
- Chemical Composition and Labeling of Substances Marketed as Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators and Sold via the Internet
