Oxandrolone Oral Tablets

What is this medication?

OXANDROLONE (ox AN droe lone) is an anabolic steroid. It can help you regain weight or muscle after you have weight loss due to surgery, trauma, severe infection, or long-term corticosteroid use. It is also used to treat bone pain due to osteoporosis (weak bones).

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Oxandrin

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Breast cancer
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• High levels of calcium in the blood
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Prostate cancer
• An unusual or allergic reaction to oxandrolone, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medicine by mouth with water. Take it as directed on the prescription label. Keep taking it unless your health care provider tells you to stop.

Talk to your health care provider about the use of this medicine in children. While this medicine may be prescribed to children for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Patients over 65 years of age may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

• certain medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin
• medicines for diabetes
• steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your health care provider for regular checks on your progress. It may be some time before you see the benefit from this medicine. You may need blood work while you are taking this medicine.

This medicine may change the blood sugar. Ask your health care provider if changes in diet or medicines are needed if you have diabetes.

This medicine is banned from use in athletes by most athletic organizations.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• breast enlargement
• changes in emotions or moods
• changes in menstrual cycle
• deep or hoarse voice
• signs and symptoms of liver injury like dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; nausea; right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired; yellowing of the eyes or skin
• swelling of the ankles, feet, hands
• too frequent or persistent erections
• trouble breathing
• trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• acne
• change in sex drive or performance
• facial hair growth
• hair loss in women
• headache

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets. This medicine can be abused. Keep it in a safe place to protect it from theft. Do not share it with anyone. It is only for you. Selling or giving away this medicine is dangerous and against the law.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Get rid of any unused medicine after the expiration date.

It is important to get rid of the medicine as soon as you no longer need it or it is expired. You can do this in two ways:

• Take the medicine to a medicine take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medicine, check the label or package insert to see if the medicine should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your health care provider. If it is safe to put it in the trash, take the medicine out of the container. Mix the medicine with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.