Oxandrolone Overview

Generic Name: Oxandrolone
Brand Name: Anavar
Dosage Form: Oral Tablet (10 mg; 2.5 mg)
Drug Class: Androgens and Anabolic Steroids

Uses

Oxandrolone is a synthetic anabolic steroid similar to the naturally occurring steroid testosterone. It is used for:

• Weight Gain: Helps regain weight lost after surgery, severe trauma, or chronic infections, and in those who cannot gain or maintain a healthy weight for unknown medical reasons.
• Muscle Loss: Used to prevent muscle loss caused by steroid medications.
• Bone Pain: Reduces bone pain in people with osteoporosis.

Warnings

• Health Risks: Using anabolic steroids like oxandrolone can lead to serious side effects, including life-threatening issues with the liver, spleen, and blood vessels, which can occur without warning and lead to liver failure, internal bleeding, cancer, stroke, heart attack, or death.
• Pregnancy: Do not use oxandrolone if you are pregnant, as it can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects.
• Prostate Cancer: Men, especially older men, may have an increased risk of developing an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer while taking this medicine.

Before Taking Oxandrolone

Do Not Use If You Have:

• Prostate cancer
• Advanced kidney disease
• High calcium levels in your blood (hypercalcemia)
• Breast cancer (in men or women with hypercalcemia)
• Allergy to oxandrolone

Consult Your Doctor If You Have:

• Liver disease
• Heart disease or a history of it
• High cholesterol or triglycerides
• Diabetes
• A thyroid disorder
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• A history of stroke or blood clots
• Use of blood thinners or other steroid medicines

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

• Pregnancy: Oxandrolone can cause birth defects and should not be used during pregnancy. Use effective birth control and notify your doctor if you become pregnant while taking oxandrolone.
• Breastfeeding: It is unknown if oxandrolone passes into breast milk, so avoid breastfeeding while using this medicine.

How to Take Oxandrolone

• Dosage: Follow your doctor’s prescription closely. Oxandrolone is typically prescribed for a few weeks and should not be used in larger amounts or for longer periods than recommended.
• Habit-Forming: Oxandrolone may be habit-forming. Do not share your medication with others, especially those with a history of drug abuse or addiction.
• Monitoring: Regular blood tests and kidney function tests (via urine) are required during treatment. In children, bone development may need to be checked with x-rays every 6 months.

Storage: Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep track of your medication, as oxandrolone is a drug of abuse.

Dosage Information

Adult Dose for Weight Loss:

• 2.5 mg to 20 mg orally in 2 to 4 divided doses for 2 to 4 weeks. May be repeated intermittently as needed.

Geriatric Dose for Weight Loss:

• 5 mg orally twice a day.

Pediatric Dose for Weight Loss:

• ≤ 0.1 mg per kg body weight, may be repeated intermittently as needed.

What Happens If You Miss a Dose?

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

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line.

What to Avoid

Follow your doctor’s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activities.

Side Effects

Serious Side Effects (Seek Medical Help):

• New or worsening acne
• Shortness of breath, swelling in ankles/feet, rapid weight gain
• Erectile issues or unusual growth of the penis in prepubescent boys
• Liver problems (nausea, stomach pain, dark urine, jaundice)
• High calcium levels in blood

For Women:
May develop irreversible male characteristics like acne, menstrual changes, male-pattern hair growth, hoarse/deepened voice, or enlarged clitoris.

Common Side Effects:

• Breast swelling
• Excitement
• Sleep problems (insomnia)
• Changes in sexual desire

Drug Interactions

Inform your healthcare providers about all the medications you are taking, including prescription, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Reporting Side Effects: You can report side effects to the FDA.

Note: 

The brand name displayed above is specific to this product. Brand names can vary depending on the manufacturer.