discontinued · 1 listed
newest 2015spec sheet7 rows
Arcarine is a non-steroidal selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) developed by the Finnish company Orion Corporation. It was investigated for tissue-selective anabolic applications such as bone formation, but development was discontinued.
- Investigated for tissue-selective anabolic effects in muscle and bone
- Explored for benign prostatic hyperplasia, hypogonadism, and osteoporosis
- A rat study found locally delivered ORM-11984 reduced new bone formation at higher doses instead of enhancing it
- No published human efficacy or long-term safety data exists
Overview
One of the more legitimately-studied obscure SARMs on this list; there's an actual peer-reviewed animal study, and it wasn't a flattering result.
Mechanism
As a SARM, arcarine (ORM-11984) is designed to bind the and activate it in a tissue-selective way, aiming to produce anabolic effects in muscle and bone while limiting androgenic stimulation of tissues like the prostate, compared with testosterone or classic anabolic steroids.
receptor fingerprint
Agonist
Safetyrisks and cautions, not medical advice
In a rat bone marrow ablation model, locally delivered ORM-11984 released from a polymer matrix did not enhance new bone formation as hoped; higher doses were actually associated with a negative, dose-dependent effect on osteogenesis around the implant, with only the lowest dose showing a mild, non-significant benefit. It reached Phase 1 human trials before development was discontinued, and no efficacy or long-term safety data in humans has been published.
Subjective profileweighing the evidence above
Not worth pursuing. Orion shelved it after Phase 1 with no published human efficacy data, and the one bone study found higher doses suppressed new bone formation instead of building it. A discontinued SARM with a negative animal result is the worst combination on offer.
Resources
This entry is here for reference.
Research
1 listed here; entry last updated July 2026
Reviews
My notesprivate to this device
FAQ
What is Arcarine used for?
It was studied as a tissue-selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) for conditions like osteoporosis, hypogonadism, and benign prostatic hyperplasia, but it was never approved or marketed.
How does Arcarine work?
It's designed to activate the androgen receptor selectively in tissues like muscle and bone while limiting activation in tissues like the prostate, the same general goal as other SARMs.
Is Arcarine well-researched?
It has at least one real peer-reviewed animal study, which found a locally delivered form actually impaired bone formation at higher doses; it only reached Phase 1 in humans before being discontinued.
Limitations of the evidence
- Only reached Phase 1 human trials before discontinuation
Adverse effects
- A rat study found locally delivered ORM-11984 reduced new bone formation at higher doses instead of enhancing it
- No published human efficacy or long-term safety data exists