oxandrolone

oxandrolone /ox·an·dro·lone/ (ok-san´dro-lōn) an androgenic and anabolic steroid that is used in the treatment of catabolic or tissue-wasting diseases or states.

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oxandrolone

[oksan′drəlōn]

an androgen.

indications It is prescribed in the treatment of bone pain accompanying osteoporosis and for the stimulation of weight gain after extensive surgery or trauma or when a pathophysiologic reason exists for failure to maintain normal weight.

contraindications Cancer of the male breast or prostate, liver disease, pregnancy or suspected pregnancy, or known hypersensitivity to this drug prohibits its use.

adverse effects Among the more serious adverse reactions are hirsutism, acne, liver toxicity, electrolyte imbalances, and various endocrine effects in some patients.

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steroid [ster´oid]

any of a group of lipids with a complex molecule containing carbon atoms in four interlocking rings forming a hydrogenated cyclopentophenanthrene-ring system; three of the rings contain six carbon atoms each and the fourth contains five. Steroids are important in body chemistry and include steroid hormones such as the gonadal or sex steroids, corticosteroids, glucocorticoids, and mineralocorticoids; vitamins of the D group; and the sterols, including cholesterol, the main building block of the steroid hormones in the body. The cardiac glycosides, a group of compounds derived from certain plants, are partly steroids.

anabolic steroid any of a group of synthetic derivatives of testosterone having pronounced anabolic properties and relatively weak androgenic properties; they are used clinically mainly to promote growth and repair of body tissues in diseases or states promoting catabolism or tissue wasting.

gonadal steroid (sex steroid) a steroid hormone produced by a gonad, such as an androgen, estrogen, or progestational agent.

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oxandrolone (oksan´drlōn´),

n brand name: Oxandrin;
drug class: androgenic anabolic steroid (Controlled Substance Schedule III);
action: reverses catabolic tissue processes; promotes buildup of protein; increases erythropoietin production;
uses: treating catabolic or tissue-wasting processes, such as extensive surgery, burns, infection, or trauma; HIV wasting syndrome; Turner's syndrome.

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oxandrolone

Oxandrin

Pharmacologic class: Hormone

Therapeutic class: Anabolic steroid

Controlled substance schedule III

Pregnancy risk category X

FDA Boxed Warning

• Drug may cause peliosis hepatis (condition marked by replacement of liver and sometimes splenic tissue with blood-filled cysts). Commonly, this condition isn't recognized until life-threatening liver failure or intra-abdominal hemorrhage develops. With drug withdrawal, lesions usually disappear completely.
• Liver cell tumors may occur. Usually, these are benign and androgen-dependent, but fatal malignant tumors have been reported. Drug withdrawal causes tumor to regress or stop progressing. However, hepatic tumors linked to androgens or anabolic steroids may be silent until life-threatening intra-abdominal hemorrhage develops.
• Drug may result in blood lipid changes with known link to increased risk of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.

Action

Promotes body-tissue building process, reverses catabolic or tissue-depleting processes, and increases hemoglobin and red cell mass. Also has androgenic and anabolic properties.

Availability

Tablets: 2.5 mg, 10 mg

⊘Indications and dosages

➣ To promote weight gain; to relieve bone pain accompanying osteoporosis

Adults: 2.5 mg P.O. two to four times daily, to a maximum of 20 mg/day, usually for 2 to 4 weeks. Repeat intermittently p.r.n.

Children: Total daily dosage of 0.1 mg/kg P.O. or less

Off-label uses

• Alcoholic hepatitis

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to anabolic steroids
• Nephrotic phase of nephritis
• Women with breast cancer and hypercalcemia
• Men with prostate or breast cancer
• Pregnancy

Precautions

Use cautiously in:
• renal, hepatic, or cardiac impairment; benign prostatic hypertrophy; pituitary insufficiency; myocardial infarction
• breastfeeding patients.

Administration

• Verify that patient isn't pregnant before giving.
• Give with food or meals if GI upset occurs.

Route	Onset	Peak	Duration
P.O.	Slow	Unknown	Unknown

Adverse reactions

CNS: insomnia, excitation, toxic confusion

GI: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal fullness, burning sensation of tongue, anorexia, intra-abdominal hemorrhage

GU: increased risk of prostatic hypertrophy, virilization, phallic enlargement in prepubertal boys, inhibited testicular function in postpubertal males, gynecomastia, priapism, epididymitis, libido changes, clitoral enlargement, menstrual irregularities

Hematologic: iron deficiencies

Hepatic: hepatotoxicity, peliosis hepatitis, hepatic cell tumor

Metabolic: fluid retention, hypercalcemia

Musculoskeletal: ankle swelling, premature epiphyseal closure in children

Skin: acne, increased skin pigmentation, hirsutism and male-pattern baldness in women

Other: chills, hoarseness, deepening of voice in women

Interactions

Drug-drug. Anticoagulants: potentiation of anticoagulant action

Insulin, oral hypoglycemics: decreased requirements for these drugs

Drug-diagnostic tests. Creatinine, creatinine clearance: increased values

Cholesterol, lipids: altered levels

Glucose tolerance tests: altered results

Thyroid function: decreased values

Patient monitoring

• Assess patient for edema and need for diuretic therapy.
• Monitor periodic liver function tests and electrolyte levels.
• Assess periodic cholesterol levels in patients at increased risk for coronary artery disease.
• Monitor diabetic patients carefully (drug may alter glucose tolerance).

Patient teaching

• Tell patient to take with food or meals.
• Inform patient that drug shouldn't be taken to increase muscle strength; it doesn't enhance athletic ability and can cause serious side effects.
• Advise diabetic patient to monitor urine or blood glucose carefully and report abnormal levels.
• Instruct patient to report ankle swelling, skin color changes, severe nausea or vomiting, unusual body hair growth, acne, and menstrual changes.
• Advise female patient not to take drug if she is or plans to become pregnant.
• As appropriate, review all other significant and life-threatening adverse reactions and interactions, especially those related to the drugs and tests mentioned above.

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oxandrolone

Oxandrin^® Endocrinology An anabolic steroid used to reverse involuntary weight loss and depletion of cell mass, in Pts with AIDS, trauma, chronic infection, major burns or surgery, and other debilitating conditions Adverse effects Hepatotoxicity, cholestasis, liver cell necrosis, peliosis hepatis, hirsutism, gynecomastia, acne, male pattern baldness in ♀. See Anabolic steroid.