oxymetholone – oral, Anadrol
This medication may rarely cause serious liver problems including cysts, tumors, or failure. Tell your doctor immediately if you have dark urine, yellowing eyes or skin, persistent nausea/vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, or unusual fatigue. In addition, this medication may affect your cholesterol level and increase your risk of heart disease or blood vessel problems.
This medication is a synthetic male hormone used to treat a low red blood cell count. It works by increasing the amount of the hormone involved in the production of red blood cells. This medication must not be used to improve athletic performance or physical appearance. Oxymetholone does not enhance athletic ability. When used as directed under medical supervision, the risks are minimal.
Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor. It may be taken with food or milk if stomach upset occurs. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Do not increase your dose or take this more often than directed since the risk of side effects may be increased. It may take between 3-6 months before a benefit from this medication occurs.
Diarrhea, excitation, or trouble sleeping may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes, swelling of the ankles/feet, weight gain, trouble breathing, changes in sexual interest, new or worsening acne. Males before puberty should tell their doctor immediately if signs of maturation occur while taking this drug. Adult males should tell their doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: hair loss, trouble urinating, changes in testicle size, impotence, breast tenderness/swelling. In the very unlikely event of a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 or more hours, stop using this drug and seek immediate medical attention. Females may experience signs of masculinization. Seek immediate medical attention if serious side effects occur: deepening of the voice/hoarseness, facial hair growth, new or worsening acne, clitoral enlargement, menstrual period changes.
This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor. Caution is advised when using this drug in children. This medication must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. It is recommended that young girls and women of child-bearing age use effective birth control while taking this drug. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. However, due to the potential harm to a nursing infant, breast-feeding is not recommended.
Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. Tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use. This drug may affect the results of certain lab tests.
Do not share this medication with others. A balanced diet rich in iron and folic acid may help to improve your condition. Laboratory and/or medical tests should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed.
Related Disease Conditions
Anemia
Anemia is the condition of having less than the normal number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. Symptoms of anemia may include fatigue, hair loss, palpitations, menstruation, and medications. Treatment for anemia includes treating the underlying cause for the condition.
Steroid Abuse
Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances that promote skeletal muscle growth and the development of male sexual characteristics in both men and women. In the 1930s, it was discovered that anabolic steroids could promote skeletal muscle growth in lab animals, which led to anabolic steroid abuse by bodybuilders and weightlifters.
