Oxandrolone 339compound is used to treat delayed puberty in boys, increasing their height
and weight. Turner’s syndrome interferes with height and sexual maturation
in girls, deficits that have improved with oxandrolone therapy.
Abuse factors.Sports competitors are forbidden to use the substance. Vio-
lation of the ban may risk punishment for nothing: Even though oxandrolone
can promote muscle mass, a study examining users and nonusers of oxandro-
lone found no difference between the two groups in muscle mass, strength,
and general fitness. Athletes who abuse oxandrolone may suffer bad psycho-
logical effects. In one case a person became hyperactive and had racing
thoughts. In another case someone abusing this and other steroids became
suspicious of other people, rageful, and occasionally suicidal.
An addiction case report mentioned not only psychological craving for ox-
androlone and other anabolic steroids but physical dependence as well. When
the bodybuilder in question received a dose of a substance that provokes
withdrawal symptoms in opiate addiction, he responded with classic opiate
withdrawal signs.
Drug interactions.Oxandrolone can alter insulin needs of diabetics and
boost actions of anti–blood clot medicines. The steroid can help rats survive
an overdose ofmeprobamateornicotine.
Cancer.Potential for causing cancer is unknown. A case report associates
oxandrolone with development of colon cancer in a 27-year-old bodybuilder.
Pregnancy.Potential for causing birth defects is unknown. In animal studies
testing oxandrolone at nine times the normal human dose, fetal injury has
occurred, including introduction of male characteristics into a female fetus.
Pregnant women are advised to avoid the drug. Oxandrolone’s ability to pass
into milk of nursing mothers is unknown.
Additional scientific information may be found in:
Frasier, S.D. “Androgens and Athletes.”American Journal of Diseases of Children 125
(1973): 479–80.
Freinhar, J.P., and W. Alvarez. “Androgen-Induced Hypomania.”Journal of Clinical
Psychiatry46 (1985): 354–55.
Levien, T.L., and D.E. Baker. “Reviews of Trimetrexate and Oxandrolone.”Hospital
Pharmacy29 (1994): 696–702.
Mendenhall, C.L., et al. “Short-Term and Long-Term Survival in Patients with Alco-
holic Hepatitis Treated with Oxandrolone and Prednisolone.”New England Jour-
nal of Medicine311 (1984): 1464–70.
Rosenfeld, R.G., et al. “Six-Year Results of a Randomized, Prospective Trial of Human
Growth Hormone and Oxandrolone in Turner Syndrome.”Journal of Pediatrics
121 (1992): 49–55.
Taiwo, B.O. “HIV-Associated Wasting: Brief Review and Discussion of the Impact of
Oxandrolone.”AIDS Patient Care and STDs14 (2000): 421–25.
Wilson, D.M., et al. “Oxandrolone Therapy in Constitutionally Delayed Growth and
Puberty.”Pediatrics96 (1995): 1095–1100.