Oxandrolone

Oxandrolone is a synthetic steroid that is similar to the natural steroid testosterone. Oxandrolone is an "anabolic" steroid that helps promote the growth of muscle tissue.

Oxandrolone is used to help you regain weight lost after surgery, severe injury, or long-lasting infections. Oxandrolone is also used in people who cannot gain or keep a healthy weight for reasons that are not known.

Oxandrolone is also used to reduce muscle loss that can occur from taking steroid medications, and to help relieve bone pain in people with osteoporosis.

Oxandrolone may also be used for other reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Oxandrolone is typically prescribed for only a few weeks. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Oxandrolone will not improve athletic performance and should not be used for that reason.

Oxandrolone may be habit-forming. Never share oxandrolone with anyone else, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot access it.

If a child is taking this medicine, inform your doctor if the child experiences any changes in weight. Doses of oxandrolone for children are based on their weight.

While using oxandrolone, you will need regular blood tests. Your kidney function may also need to be monitored with urine tests.

Oxandrolone can cause bones to grow too fast in children, especially younger ones. Bone development may need to be checked with x-rays every 6 months during treatment.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Oxandrolone is a drug of abuse, and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

You should not use oxandrolone if you have prostate cancer, advanced kidney disease, high levels of calcium in your blood, breast cancer, or if you are pregnant.

Some people using anabolic steroid medicine have developed severe and life-threatening side effects affecting the liver, spleen, and blood vessels. These problems can happen suddenly, without any warning or symptoms, and can result in liver failure, internal bleeding, cancer, stroke, heart attack, or death. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.

You should not use oxandrolone if you are allergic to it, or if you have

• prostate cancer;
• advanced kidney disease;
• high levels of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia);
• breast cancer (in men or in women who have hypercalcemia); or
• if you are pregnant.

Some people using anabolic steroid medicine have developed cysts or tumors of the liver or spleen. These conditions can occur without warning or symptoms and can lead to liver failure, internal bleeding, cancer, or death. Using anabolic steroid medicine may also cause cholesterol (lipid) changes in your blood, which can increase fatty buildup inside your arteries (also called atherosclerosis). This condition can lead to stroke or heart attack. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using oxandrolone.

To make sure oxandrolone is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease;
• a history of heart disease;
• high cholesterol or triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood);
• diabetes;
• a thyroid disorder;
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
• a history of stroke or blood clots;
• if you take a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven); or
• if you use other steroid medicines (prednisone, methylprednisolone, and others).

Oxandrolone can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether oxandrolone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Older men may have an increased risk of developing an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer while taking this medicine. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Oxandrolone may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you experience:

• new or worsening acne;
• shortness of breath (even with mild activity), swelling in your ankles or feet, rapid weight gain;
• an increased or prolonged erection of the penis;
• unusual penis growth before puberty;
• impotence, problems with ejaculation, reduced amounts of semen, decrease in testicle size;
• painful or difficult urination;
• liver problems—nausea, pain in the upper stomach, itching, feeling very tired, loss of appetite, dark-colored urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• high levels of calcium in your blood—vomiting, stomach pain, constipation, increased thirst or urination, muscle pain or weakness, joint pain, confusion, and feeling tired or restless.

Women taking oxandrolone may develop male traits, which could become permanent if testosterone treatment continues. Stop taking oxandrolone and call your doctor immediately if you notice any of these signs of too much testosterone:

• acne;
• changes in menstrual cycles;
• male-pattern hair growth (such as on the chin or chest);
• a hoarse or deeper voice; or
• an enlarged clitoris.

Common side effects (in both men and women) may include:

• breast swelling;
• feeling overly excited;
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• increased or decreased interest in sex.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may happen. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Usual Adult Dose for Weight Loss:

2.5 mg to 20 mg orally in 2 to 4 divided dosesDuration of therapy: 2 to 4 weeks, may be repeated intermittently as indicated.Uses:-Adjunctive therapy to promote weight gain after weight loss following extensive surgery, chronic infections, or severe trauma, and in some patients who without definite pathophysiologic reasons fail to gain or to maintain normal weight-To offset the protein catabolism associated with prolonged administration of corticosteroids-For the relief of the bone pain frequently accompanying osteoporosis

Usual Geriatric Dose for Weight Loss:

5 mg orally twice a dayUses:-Adjunctive therapy to promote weight gain after weight loss following extensive surgery, chronic infections, or severe trauma, and in some patients who without definite pathophysiologic reasons fail to gain or to maintain normal weight-To offset the protein catabolism associated with prolonged administration of corticosteroids-For the relief of the bone pain frequently accompanying osteoporosis

Usual Pediatric Dose for Weight Loss:

Less than or equal to 0.1 mg per kg body weight, may be repeated intermittently as indicated.Uses:-Adjunctive therapy to promote weight gain after weight loss following extensive surgery, chronic infections, or severe trauma, and in some patients who without definite pathophysiologic reasons fail to gain or to maintain normal weight-To offset the protein catabolism associated with prolonged administration of corticosteroids-For the relief of the bone pain frequently accompanying osteoporosis

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Other drugs may interact with oxandrolone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform each of your health care providers about all medicines you are currently using and any medicine you begin or discontinue.