Oxandrin Side Effects Center

What Is Oxandrin?

Oxandrin (oxandrolone) Tablets is an anabolic steroid and 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 to maintain normal weight, to offset the protein catabolism associated with prolonged administration of corticosteroids, and for the relief of the bone pain frequently accompanying osteoporosis.

What Are Side Effects of Oxandrin?

Side effects of Oxandrin 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 Oxandrin include:

• liver and spleen complications,
• tumor formation, and
• masculinization.

Tell your doctor if you have unlikely but serious side effects of Oxandrin including:

• mental/mood changes (such as anxiety, depression, increased anger),
• trouble sleeping, or
• snoring.

Dosage for Oxandrin

Oxandrin is available in 2.5 and 10 mg tablets. The daily adult dosage of Oxandrin is 2.5 mg to 20 mg given in 2 to 4 divided doses. For children the total daily dosage of Oxandrin is less than .1 mg per kilogram body weight or less than .045 mg per pound of body weight; this drug should only be administered by specialists.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Oxandrin?

Oxandrin may increase sensitivity to oral anticoagulants, and interact with oral hypoglycemic agents, adrenal steroids or ACTH.

Oxandrin During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding

This drug should not be given during pregnancy. It is unknown if Oxandrin passes into breast milk. Oxandrin may affect milk production and it may harm a nursing infant. Breastfeeding while using Oxandrin is not recommended.

Additional Information

Our Oxandrin (oxandrolone) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• new or worsening acne;
• shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling in your ankles or feet, rapid weight gain;
• increased or ongoing erection of the penis;
• unusual penis growth before puberty;
• impotence, ejaculation problems, decreased amounts of semen, decrease in testicle size;
• painful or difficult urination;
• liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• high levels of calcium in your blood--vomiting, stomach pain, constipation, increased thirst or urination, muscle pain or weakness, joint pain, confusion, and feeling tired or restless.

Women receiving oxandrolone may develop male characteristics, which could be irreversible if testosterone treatment is continued. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor at once if you notice any of these signs of excess testosterone:

• acne;
• changes in menstrual periods;
• male-pattern hair growth (such as on the chin or chest);
• hoarse or deepened voice; or
• enlarged clitoris.

Common side effects (in men or women) may include:

• breast swelling;
• feeling excited;
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• increased or decreased interest in sex.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.