Oxandrolone

What is Oxandrolone?

Oxandrolone is used with a diet and exercise program to cause weight gain in patients who have lost too much weight due to surgery, injury, or long lasting infections, or who are very underweight for unknown reasons. Oxandrolone is also used to treat bone pain in patients with osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones become thin and weak and break easily) and to prevent certain side effects in patients who take corticosteroids (a group of medications used to treat many conditions that involve inflammation or swelling of part of the body for a long time. Oxandrolone is in a class of medications called anabolic steroids. It works by increasing the amount of protein made by the body. This protein is used to build more muscle and increase body weight.

How

Your doctor will probably tell you to take oxandralone for 2-4 weeks. You may need to take oxandralone for additional 2-4 week periods if your weight decreases again.

Side Effects

difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

depression

nervousness or unusual excitement

changes in sex drive or ability

constipation

Oxandrolone may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html

Precautions

Before taking oxandrolone,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to oxandrolone or any other medications.

tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); oral medications for diabetes; oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone); and steroid creams, lotions, or ointments such as aclometasone (Aclovate), betamethasone (Diprolene, Diprosone, Valisone), clobetasol (temovate), desonide (DesOwen), desoximetasone (Topicort), diflorasone (Psorcon, Florone), fluoxinolone (Derma-Smoothe, Flurosyn, Synalar),fluocinonide (Lidex), flurandrenolide (Cordran), fluticasone (Cutivate), halcinonide (Halog), halobetasol (Ultravate), hydrocortisone (Cortizone, Westcort, others), mometasone (Elocon), and triamcinolone (Aristocort, Kenalog, others). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

tell your doctor if you have or have ever had high levels of calcium in your blood, breast or prostate (a male reproductive organ) cancer, enlarged prostate, or kidney disease.

tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking oxandrolone, call your doctor immediately.

Overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

What If I Forget

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Storage

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

Dietary Restrictions

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Miscellaneous

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Other Uses

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

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