RAD-140 — Safety, Research, Risks & Legal Status

Not medical advice. RAD-140 is discussed here for informational and harm-reduction purposes only. We do not endorse use, and any dosing context is informational, not a protocol.

Also known as	testolone, RAD140
Category	SARM
radius_health	Developed by Radius Health Inc., a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company
potency_ratio	Reported to be more potent than ostarine on androgen-receptor binding
case_reports	Multiple published case reports of liver injury linked to RAD-140 in bodybuilding communities
US legal status	RAD-140 is not approved by the FDA for any use, and it is illegal to market or sell it as a dietary supplement. The FDA has warned that SARMs are associated with serious risks including liver injury, heart attack, and stroke, and products are sold as research chemicals not for human consumption. It is prohibited at all times in sport under the WADA list.

What is RAD-140?

RAD-140 (testolone) is an investigational selective androgen receptor modulator with strong anabolic activity in preclinical models. It has been explored in early research, including for breast cancer, but is not an approved drug.

How it works

RAD-140 is a potent nonsteroidal androgen receptor agonist with high affinity and remarkable tissue selectivity favoring muscle and bone. Preclinical studies show strong anabolic activity with reduced prostate and seminal vesicle effects compared to testosterone. The compound was designed to maximize anabolism while minimizing classical androgenic effects, though selectivity in humans is not established.

Background & history

RAD-140 (testolone) was developed by Radius Health Inc. as a tissue-selective androgen receptor modulator. It entered early clinical development and has been investigated in breast cancer and other indications through proprietary research programs. The compound never advanced to late-stage trials and is not approved by any regulatory body, though it remains marketed illegally.

What the research says

Research suggests RAD-140 has potent androgen-receptor activity and increases muscle mass in animal models. Human safety data are very limited, and there are reported cases of drug-induced liver injury linked to RAD-140, so its real-world risk is poorly understood.

Reported effects

Reported increases in lean muscle mass
Studied strong androgenic activity in preclinical models
Reported strength and aggression changes by users
Studied in early oncology research
Reported significant testosterone suppression
Studied effects on bone-building in animal models

Dosing & administration (informational)

In limited animal studies, effective muscle-building doses ranged widely depending on route and duration. No completed human dose-escalation or safety trials exist in peer-reviewed literature. Claims of human dosing are unsupported by published clinical evidence and represent pure speculation.

This is general research/context information, not medical advice or a recommended protocol.

Safety & side effects

Reported to suppress natural testosterone production
Linked to published cases of drug-induced liver injury, including severe cholestatic hepatitis
Can adversely affect cholesterol and cardiovascular risk markers
Lacks large human safety trials, so long-term effects are unknown
Prohibited at all times in sport under the WADA list
May increase aggression and mood disturbance in some users

Drug & supplement interactions

Strong potential for additive hepatotoxicity if combined with other liver-damaging compounds
May amplify hormonal suppression if stacked with other androgenic SARMs or steroids
Possible interactions with anticoagulants given limited data on coagulation pathways
Risk of amplified lipid derangement if used with other dyslipidemia-inducing agents
Limited interaction data with all pharmaceutical classes given lack of human trials

Who should avoid it

Avoid in anyone with baseline liver enzyme elevation, hepatitis, or prior liver disease
Avoid if there is a personal or family history of cancer, given theoretical IGF and AR pathways
Avoid concurrent use with any anabolic steroid or other SARM
Avoid if predisposed to cardiovascular events or significant hypertension
Avoid if participating in tested sport or under workplace drug screening

How it is commonly combined

RAD-140 is marketed for stacking with other SARMs and compounds, but such combinations have never been studied and create severe unknown risks of organ damage, hormonal collapse, and drug interactions. Every added compound multiplies toxicity unpredictably and is indefensible from a safety perspective.

Legal & regulatory. RAD-140 is not approved by the FDA for any use, and it is illegal to market or sell it as a dietary supplement. The FDA has warned that SARMs are associated with serious risks including liver injury, heart attack, and stroke, and products are sold as research chemicals not for human consumption. It is prohibited at all times in sport under the WADA list.

Quality & harm reduction

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Lab testing & harm-reduction tools

If you are going to research a compound, verifying identity and purity is the single most protective step. Independent analytical testing and sterile-handling supplies reduce risk.

Compare testing options

Frequently asked questions

Is RAD-140 stronger than other SARMs?

It is reported to be among the more potent androgenically in preclinical work, but greater potency also means greater suppression and risk, not greater safety.

What is a safe dose of RAD-140?

We do not provide human dosing guidance. RAD-140 is unapproved, and decisions should involve a qualified clinician.

Can RAD-140 hurt my liver?

Yes. There are published case reports of serious drug-induced liver injury associated with RAD-140 use.

Does RAD-140 cause mood changes?

Some users report increased aggression and mood lability, likely related to strong androgenic activity, but the mechanism and frequency are not formally studied.

Is RAD-140 safer than testosterone?

No. Testosterone is at least a well-characterized compound; RAD-140 has virtually no human safety data and reported hepatotoxicity cases, making it higher-risk.

References & further reading

PubMed: RAD-140 testolone androgen receptor agonist muscle
PubMed: RAD-140 selective androgen receptor modulator tissue selectivity
FDA warning on SARMs unapproved muscle-building drugs liver injury
WADA Prohibited List: RAD-140 and related selective modulators
ClinicalTrials.gov: RAD-140 cancer and muscle-wasting research