Anavar is used for promoting weight gain, in combination with other medicines, after weight loss due to major surgery, recurring infections, serious injury, or unknown reasons. It is also used to offset certain side effects of long-term steroid use (protein catabolism), or to relieve bone pain due to osteoarthritis. It may also be used for other conditions. Oxandrolone is an anabolic steroid. It works by helping the body to produce testosterone, which helps build muscle mass.