Drugs Blog

Type of Drug:Synthetic hormones (anabolic steroids) closely related to the androgen testosterone (male sex hormone).

How the Drugs Works:

Anabolic steroids promote body tissue-building processes and reverse destructive tissue-depleting processes. They also decrease normal testosterone production by the testicles.

Uses :

Nandrolone and oxymetholone – To treat certain types of anemia.

Oxandrolone – To treat weight loss due to severe illness, following extensive surgery, and in some patients who, without definite reasons, fail to gain or maintain normal weight. To relieve bone pain caused by osteoporosis (brittle bones). To prevent the breakdown of protein associated with prolonged corticosteroid (eg, prednisone) use.

Stanozolol – To decrease the frequency and severity of hereditary angioedema attacks.

Unlabeled Uses: Occasionally doctors may prescribe oxandrolone for alcoholic hepatitis, short stature associated with Turner syndrome, HIV wasting syndrome, and HIV-associated musclo weakness.

Precautions:

Athletic performance: Anabolic steroids have not been shown to enhance athletic ability. An athlete’s motivation to use steroids includes: Increased muscle mass and strength; decreased muscle recovery time, allowing more frequent weight training; decreased healing time after muscle injury; increased aggressiveness. The increase in muscle size and weight gain is partially attributed to increased sodium and water retention. The serious health hazards associated with anabolic steroids minimize any real or perceived gain in performance. Effects of these agents may persist for up to 6 months after the last dose. Adverse effects may be serious and irreversible.

Benzyl alcohol: Some of these products contain benzyl alcohol, which has been associated with fatal “gasping syndrome” in premature infants. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Edema: Edema (swelling), with or without congestive heart failure, may occur. Use with caution in patients with heart, kidney, or liver disease; epilepsy; migraine; or other conditions that may be aggravated by fluid retention. In addition to discontinuation of the drug, diuretic therapy may be required.

High serum cholesterol: Anabolic steroids may lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (“good” cholesterol) and raise low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (“bad” cholesterol). This effect may increase the risk of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and coronary artery disease.

Leukemia: Leukemia has been observed in patients with plastic anemia treated with oxyacetylene, but the role of oxyacetylene is unclear.

Liver disease: Liver cysts and tumors have occurred during treatment with anabolic steroids. They are often not recognized until a life-threatening condition develops. Stopping the medicine usually results in shrinking or complete disappearance of the lesions.

Mnlos after puberty: Anabolic steroids may inhibit function of the testes, Iggravato acne, decrease sperm count, promote development of breast cantus the testes to shrink, and lead to impotence.

Women: Anabolic steroids may produce irreversible vitalization (eg, deepening of voice, unusual hair growth, enlargement of the clitoris) in females. Women should be carefully monitored and drug therapy stopped at the first sign of virilization (eg, menstrual irregularities).

Pregnancy: Do not use during pregnancy. The risk of use in a pregnant woman clearly outweighs any possible benefit. Anabolic steroids may cause masculinization of the female fetus.

Breastfeeding: It is not known if anabolic steroids appear in breast milk.

Because of the potential for serious adverse effects, decide whether to discontinue nursing or the drug. Consult your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.

Children: The adverse effects of use in young children are not fully under­stood. Anabolic steroids may interfere with growth to normal adult height. Use with caution.

Elderly: Anabolic steroids may increase risk of prostate enlargement or prostate cancer. Use with caution.

Lab tests may be required to monitor therapy. Tests may include liver function, blood calcium levels, cholesterol levels, and hemoglobin tests.

Drug Interactions:

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or if you are planning to take any over-the-counter or prescription medications or dietary supplements while taking an anabolic steroid. Doses of one or both drugs may need to be modified or a different drug may need to be prescribed. Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) interact with anabolic steroids.

Side Effects:

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many anabolic steroid users experience no, or minor, side effects. The frequency and severity of side effects depend on many factors including dose, duration of therapy, and individual susceptibility. Possible side effects include:

Males (before puberty): Increased size of penis; increased frequency of erections.

Males (after puberty): Breast enlargement; changes in sex drive; impotence; persistent, painful erections; shrinking of testes; decreased semen volume; bladder irritation; inhibition of testicular function.

Females: Excessive growth of body hair; hoarseness or deepening of the voice; enlargement of the clitoris; changes in sex drive; changes in menstruation; male pattern baldness.

Digestive Tract: Nausea; vomiting; diarrhea.

Nervous System: Sleeplessness; dependency; depression; excitability Skin: Yellowing of the skin or eyes; acne.

Other: Fluid retention; ankle swelling; electrolyte imbalance;abnormal cholestrol lvels;abnormal lab test ;liver disease;elevated blood sugar.

Guidelines for Use:

• Dosage is individualized. Take exactly as prescribed.
• Do not change the dose or stop taking, unless advised by your doctor.
• The inject able form of nandrolone will usually be prepared and administered by your health care provider in a medical setting.
• May cause nausea or gastrointestinal upset.
• Diabetic patients _ Glucose tolerance may be altered. Monitor blood sugar closely and report any changes to your doctor.
• Seizure disorders _ Epileptic patients may note an increase in seizure frequency; notify your doctor if this occurs.
• Notify your doctor if you experience nausea, vomiting, yellowing of skin color, or ankle swelling.
• Female patients should notify their doctor if they experience hoarse- ness, deepening of the voice, changes in body hair growth, menstrual changes, malepattern baldness, or acne .
• Male patients should notify their doctor if they experience too frequent or persistent erections of the penis or development or worsening of acne.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• Do not use to enhance physical appearance or athletic performance.
• Effects of anabolic steroids may persist for up to 6 months after the last dose; some adverse effects are irreversible.
• Maximum benefit may not be reached for several months.
• Lab tests may be required to monitor therapy. Be sure to keep appointments.
• Store tablets at controlled room temperature (59° to 86°F).

Tagged under:anabolic steroids, anemia, drug interactions body tissue building, oxandrolone Sex Hormones