What is Anavar? Anavar is the brand name for oxandrolone, a synthetic anabolic steroid developed in the 1960s. Medically, it is prescribed as part of a nutritional support program to help patients regain weight lost after surgery, injury, chronic infection, trauma, or unexplained weight loss. According to MedlinePlus, Anavar is also used to relieve bone pain in people with osteoporosis and to...