What is oxymetholone?

Oxymetholone is an anabolic steroid, which is a man-made form of a hormone similar to testosterone. Oxymetholone is used to treat certain types of anemia (lack of red blood cells), including aplastic anemia, myelofibrosis, or hypoplastic anemia caused by chemotherapy. Oxymetholone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about oxymetholone?

This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. You should not use this medication if you are allergic to oxymetholone, or if you have prostate cancer, male breast cancer, female breast cancer with high levels of calcium in the blood, severe liver or kidney disease, or if you are pregnant.

Before using oxymetholone, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, heart disease, congestive heart failure, high cholesterol or triglycerides, coronary artery disease, or an enlarged prostate.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as swelling, rapid weight gain, increased or ongoing erection of the penis, changes in skin color, urination problems, or signs of liver damage (nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Women receiving oxymetholone may develop male characteristics, which could be irreversible if treatment is continued. Call your doctor as soon as possible if you notice increased acne, changes in menstrual periods, a deepened voice, male pattern baldness or hair growth, an enlarged clitoris, or changes in your sex drive.

To be sure oxymetholone is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects on your liver, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

It may take up to 6 months of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 months of treatment.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking oxymetholone?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to oxymetholone, or if you have:

• prostate cancer;

• male breast cancer;

• female breast cancer with high levels of calcium in the blood;

• severe liver disease;

• severe kidney disease; or

• if you are pregnant.

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before using oxymetholone, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease;

• kidney disease;

• heart disease, congestive heart failure;

• high cholesterol or triglycerides;

• coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis); or

• an enlarged prostate.

FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use oxymetholone if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Use effective birth control while you are using this medication. It is not known whether oxymetholone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Children being treated with oxymetholone may need x-ray examinations every 6 months to make sure the medication is not causing harmful effects on bone growth. Oxymetholone will not enhance athletic performance and should not be used for that purpose or shared with another person.

How should I take oxymetholone?

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

To be sure oxymetholone is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects on your liver, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using oxymetholone.

It may take up to 6 months of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 months of treatment.

Once your condition is under control, you may be able to stop taking oxymetholone. However, some people must continue to use at least a small amount of the medicine to keep their red blood cells from getting too low. You may need to take oxymetholone for the rest of your life. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Anemia is often treated with a combination of different drugs, including antibiotics and vitamin or mineral supplements. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.

Store oxymetholone at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Anabolic steroids are drugs of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine.

An overdose of oxymetholone is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.

What should I avoid while taking oxymetholone?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using oxymetholone.

Oxymetholone side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• swelling, rapid weight gain;

• increased or ongoing erection of the penis;

• changes in skin color;

• urination problems; or

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Women receiving oxymetholone may develop male characteristics, which could be irreversible if treatment is continued. Call your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of these side effects:

• acne;

• changes in your menstrual periods;

• hoarse or deepened voice;

• male-pattern hair growth (such as on the chin or chest);

• male pattern baldness;

• enlarged clitoris; or

• increase or decrease in sex drive.

Less serious side effects may include:

• breast swelling in men;

• feeling restless or excited;

• sleep problems (insomnia); or

• diarrhea.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

Oxymetholone Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Anemia:

1 to 5 mg/kg/day orally. Usual effective dose is 1 to 2 mg/kg/day. Response is often not immediate. Give for a minimum trial of 3 to 6 months.

What other drugs will affect oxymetholone?

The following drugs can interact with oxymetholone. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or

• insulin or diabetes medication you take by mouth.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with oxymetholone. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about oxymetholone