404 Stanozolol
women with breast cancer accompanied by high blood levels of calcium—
stanozolol may weaken bones in such women. The drug is not recommended
for persons with serious kidney inflammation. In young persons stanozolol
has the potential for stunting attainment of adult height, a special concern if
the drug is used by growing athletes without medical supervision. Any use
by athletes, however, violates rules governing sports competitions. The drug
can masculinize women (losing hair from the top of the head, gaining hair
elsewhere, coarsened voice). A clinical experiment noted disruption of men-
strual periods among women using stanozolol.
Reports of liver damage among persons using the compound are numerous;
however, most scientists stop short of asserting a cause-and-effect relationship.
Researchers have noted liver damage in rat experiments that point further
suspicion in the drug’s direction.
Stanozolol appears to interfere with blood clotting. In some medical con-
ditions, however, anticlotting action can be useful; for example, stanozolol has
benefited persons suffering from conditions like thrombophlebitis, a painful
blockage of veins caused by the buildup of clotlike material.
Researchers running a mice experiment looked for evidence that the drug
promoted aggression but found none.
Abuse factors.Not enough scientific information to report about tolerance,
dependence, withdrawal, or addiction.
Drug interactions.Medical observers have noted instances in which the
drug interacts badly with the anti–blood clot medicine warfarin, with patients
experiencing too much anticlotting action.
Cancer.The drug is suspected of causing human liver cancer. Tests of liver
function are recommended for patients receiving this drug, lest they develop
cancer or other serious problems that are difficult to treat after overt symp-
toms appear.
Pregnancy.The drug is suspected of reducing fertility. Stanozolol has mas-
culinized female rat fetuses and is believed to harm human fetal development.
Additional scientific information may be found in:Helfman, T., and V. Falanga. “Stanozolol as a Novel Therapeutic Agent in Dermatol-
ogy.”Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology33 (1995): 254–58.
Hosegood, J.L., and A.J. Franks. “Response of Human Skeletal Muscle to the Anabolic
Steroid Stanozolol.”British Medical Journal297 (1988): 1028–29.
Lye, M.D., and A.E. Ritch. “A Double-Blind Trial of an Anabolic Steroid (Stanozolol)
in the Disabled Elderly.”Rheumatology and Rehabilitation16 (1977): 62–69.
“Stanozolol.” InTherapeutic Drugs, ed. C. Dollery. 2d ed. New York: Churchill Living-
stone, 1999. S91–S93.
Yoshida, E.M., et al. “At What Price, Glory? Severe Cholestasis and Acute Renal Failure
in an Athlete Abusing Stanozolol.”Canadian Medical Association Journal 151
(1994): 791–93.