Oxandrolone

Oxandrolone is indicated as adjunctive therapy to promote weight gain after weight loss following extensive surgery, chronic infections, or severe trauma, and in some patients who without definite pathophysiologic reasons fail to gain or maintain a normal weight, to offset the protein catabolism associated with prolonged administration of corticosteroids, and for the relief of the bone pain frequently accompanying osteoporosis.

• Oxandrolone is available under the following different brand names: Oxandrin

Adult and pediatric dosage

Tablet: Schedule III

• 2.5mg
• 10mg

Bone Pain Due to Osteoporosis

Adult dosage

• 2.5-20 mg/day orally divided every 6-12 hours for 2-4 weeks
• May repeat intermittently as needed

Bone pain

Pediatric dosage

• Less than  0.1 mg/kg/day orally; repeat intermittently as indicated

Weight Gain

Adult dosage

• 2.5-20 mg/day orally divided every 6-12 hours for 2-4 weeks
• May repeat intermittently as needed

Pediatric dosage

• Less than  0.1 mg/kg/day orally; repeat intermittently as indicated

Protein catabolism

Adult dosage

• 2.5-20 mg/day orally divided every 6-12 hours for 2-4 weeks

Pediatric dosage

• Less than  0.1 mg/kg/day orally; repeat intermittently as indicated

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

Common side effects of the Oxandrolone include:

• an allergic reaction,
• swelling of the arms or legs,
• voice changes,
• new or worsening acne,
• difficulty sleeping,
• headache, or
• changes in sexual desire.

Serious side effects of the Oxandrolone include:

• liver and spleen complications,
• tumor formation, and
• masculinization.
• mental/mood changes (such as anxiety, depression, increased anger),
• trouble sleeping, or
• snoring.

Rare side effects of the Oxandrolone include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, 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 your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Oxandrolone has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Oxandrolone has serious interactions with the following drugs:
  • cyclosporine
  • pexidartinib
  • pretomanid
  • warfarin
• Oxandrolone has moderate interactions with the following drug:
  • .carbamazepine
• Oxandrolone has minor interactions with at least 37 other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Known or suspected prostate or breast CA in males
• Females: breast cancer with hypercalcemia
• Pregnancy
• Nephrosis or the nephrotic phase of nephritis
• Hypercalcemia

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Oxandrolone?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Oxandrolone?”

Cautions

• Increased risk of peliosis hepatis & liver cell tumors has been reported with anabolic steroids
• Risk of cholestatic hepatitis & jaundice - discontinue if cholestatic hepatitis with jaundice appears or LFTS abnormal
• Risk of hypercalcemia in breast CA patients - discontinue if hypercalcemia occurs
• Increases risk of prostatic hypertrophy & prostate CA in geriatric patients
• Concomitant administration with warfarin may require a dose reduction of warfarin
• Risk of growth retardation in children
• Concurrent dosing with warfarin may result in unexpectedly high increases in INR & PT
• Risk of edema with or without CHF in patients with preexisting cardiac, renal, or liver disease
• Does not improve athletic performance

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Do not use it in pregnancy. The risks involved outweigh the potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist
• Lactation
  • Discontinue the drug iif choosing to breastfeed or do not nurse