Oxymetholone

DEA Class; Rx

Common Brand Names; Anadrol-50

Oral anabolic steroid
Approved for the treatment of anemias caused by deficient red cell production; used off-label for HIV-associated wasting
Black box warning for hyperlipidemia, peliosis hepatis (some cases leading to liver failure), and fatal malignant liver cell tumors

Males: known or suspected prostate or breast CA

Females: breast cancer with hypercalcemia; pregnancy

Nephrosis or nephrotic phase of nephritis

Hypersensitivity

Severe hepatic dysfunction

Males

• Pre-pubertal phallic enlargement with increased frequency of erection

• Postpubertal inhibition of testicular function with testicular atrophy & azospermia

• Impotency

• Priapism

• Epididymitis

• Bladder irritability

Females

• Alopecia

• Virilism

• Menstrual irregularities

• Male-like voice

Pediatrics

• Premature closure of epiphyses

Depression

Excitation

Habituation

Insomnia

Acne

Gynecomastia

Change in libido

Diarrhea

Nausea

Vomiting

Electrolyte & water retention

Decr glucose tolerance

Incr LDL

Decr HDL

Bleeding in pts on anticoagulant tx

Cholestatic jaundice

Muscle cramps

Incr serum CPK

Incr creatine/creatinine excretion

Possibility of leukemia

Peliosis hepatitis has been reported in pts receiving androgenic anabolic steroid therapy; may be associated with life-threatening liver failure or intra-abdominal hemorrhage; condition usually resolves completely with drug D/C

Liver cell tumors have been reported- most often benign and androgen-dependent but fatal malignant tumors have been reported

Cholestatic hepatitis & jaundice may occur at low doses

Caution in cardiac disease, DM, hepatic disease, renal, elderly, pediatric patients, women, edematour conditions

Concomitant administration of adrenal corticoid steroid or ACTH, oral anticoagulants

Hypercalcemia may occur in breast CA patients

Decr. total T4 serum levels, incr. T3/T4 resin uptake, unchanged free thyroid hormone levels, & no clinical evidence for thyroid dysfunction

May accelerate bone maturation in children

Increases Prothrombin time; suppresses clotting factors V, VII, and X

May increases LDL & decreases HDL

Pregnancy Category: X

Lactation: Unknown if excreted; not recommended