Oxandrolone chemical structure
Find information on thousands of medical conditions and prescription drugs.

Oxandrin

Oxandrolone (Oxandrin) is an anabolic steroid created by Searle Laboratories under the trademark Anavar, and introduced into the US in 1964. It is taken orally, and unlike other steroids delivered in this manner, most of which are Class II steroids, the majority of its effects are due to reaction with the androgen receptor. In sufficient dosage, Oxandrolone is highly likely to bind well with the receptor, and is therefore a Class I steroid, while having few other side-effects. more...

Home
Diseases
Medicines
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
Methoxsalen
OCL
Octabenzone
Octanoic acid
Octopamine
Octreotide
Ofloxacin
Ofloxacin
Olanzapine
Omeprazole
Oncovin
Ondansetron
Opium
Oratane
Oretic
Orinase
Orlistat
Ornidazole
Ornithine
Orotic acid
Orphenadrine
Ortho Evra
Oruvail
Ovcon
Ovral
Ovrette
Oxaliplatin
Oxamniquine
Oxandrin
Oxandrolone
Oxaprozin
Oxazepam
Oxcarbazepine
Oxetine
Oxibendazole
Oxiracetam
Oxprenolol
Oxybenzone
Oxybuprocaine
Oxycodone
Oxycodone
Oxymetazoline
Oxymetholone
Oxymorphone
Oxytetracycline
Oxytocin
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

The drug was prescribed for a number of medical disorders causing involuntary weight loss, in order to promote muscle regrowth. It had also been shown to be partially successful in treating cases of osteoporosis. However, in part due to bad publicity from its illegal use by bodybuilders, Oxandrolone was discontinued by Searle Laboratories in 1989. It was picked up by Bio-Technology General Corporation who, following successful clinical trials in 1995, released it under the tradename Oxandrin. It was approved for orphan drug status by the FDA in treating alcoholic hepatitis, Turner's syndrome, and weight loss caused by HIV. In addition, the drug has shown positive results in treating anaemia and hereditary angioedema. Clinical studies however have shown links between prolonged use of the drug and problems of liver toxicity similar to those found with other 17α-alkylated steroids. Even in small dosages, many users reported gastro-intestinal problems such as bloating, nausea, and diarrhoea.

Before the Controlled Substances Act was passed to restrict the production, sale, and usage of anabolic steroids, Oxandrolone's characteristics lent itself well towards use by female athletes. Its specificity targeting the androgen receptor meant that, unlike many other steroids, it had not been reported to cause stunted growth in younger users, and at typical dosage rarely caused noticeable masculinising effects outside of stimulating muscle growth. In addition, Oxandrolone does not aromatise at any dosage, and is not easily metabolised into DHT or oestrogen. As such, a typical dose of 20-30 mg provided elevated androgen levels for up to eight hours. To increase effectiveness, bodybuilders typically "stacked" the drug with others such as Dianabol, further enhancing body mass gain.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]


Androgen therapy for effects of aging in older men
From American Family Physician, 7/1/05 by Richard Sadovsky

As the number and proportion of older men increase in the United States and elsewhere, therapy to promote healthy aging becomes more advantageous. Aging in men has been associated with a slow decline in testosterone (T) levels as well as various clinical changes (e.g., as declining muscle mass, declining bone mineral density, and increased fat) that mimic the symptoms of androgen deficiency in younger men. Androgen supplementation is known to have positive effects on muscle mass, bone density, and strength, but longitudinal population-based studies are needed to assess its safety and benefits in older men. To shed light on these issues, Liu and associates reviewed randomized controlled trials of androgen supplementation lasting for at least three months in men older than 60 years.

Seven studies reported the effects of standard- dose androgen supplementation on muscle and fat in men with low to normal serum T levels. All seven showed a modest reduction in body fat mass and a small increase in muscle mass, although it is unclear whether such small differences would improve daily function in an older, more frail population. The potential improvement in insulin sensitivity that might be expected with a decrease in body fat was not seen, whether patients were supplemented with an aromatizable androgen (testosterone) or a nonaromatizable androgen (e.g., dihydrotestosterone, oxandrolone [Oxandrin]).

Three studies analyzed the effects of androgen therapy on bone mineral density. These studies showed that improvement in skeletal bone content in older men is more likely when a higher dose of intramuscular T is used and when the patient has a lower baseline T concentration. Another trial found that although T and nandrolone increased muscle strength, only T increased bone mineral density. Aromatizability therefore appears to be essential for bone mass improvement, which may aid in the choice of androgen used in further studies.

The effects of T supplementation on the risk of prostate cancer and symptomatic prostatic enlargement are not known; its effects on cardiovascular risks in older men are unclear and require further study. Two trials relating to sleep-disordered breathing indicate that high-dose testosterone supplementation worsens sleep apnea and polycythemia in older men; further dosing-related safety studies are needed.

The authors conclude that features of T deficiency syndrome include (1) clinical signs and symptoms such as lethargy, fatigue, diminished libido, depressed mood, reduced muscle and bone mass, increased visceral fat, impotence, and mild cognitive impairment; and (2) a total T concentration of less than 200 ng per dL (7 nmol per L). A T concentration of 200 to 400 ng per dL (7 to 14 nmol per L) could indicate androgen deficiency, but a concentration greater than 400 ng per dL excludes the diagnosis. A second confirmatory test is needed before treatment is initiated. Bioavailable T or free T tests may clarify borderline situations and may be particularly useful in older men because serum sex-hormone-binding globulin increases with age. Before treatment, physicians should determine the cause of decreased T levels (primary or secondary); perform a digital prostate examination, prostate-specific antigen blood test, and complete blood count; and consider a reduced initial dose to minimize adverse effects. Random blood T measures during treatment probably are not useful unless androgen-dependent symptoms occur. More research is needed regarding the benefit and safety of T supplementation in older men with androgen deficiency syndrome.

Liu PY, et al. The rationale, efficacy and safety of androgen therapy in older men: future research and current practice recommendations. J Clin Endo Metab October 2004;89:4789-96.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Biochemical testing is essential for an accurate diagnosis of androgen deficiency syndrome. Routine laboratory screening for hypogonadism is not recommended in patients without clinical symptoms or signs. Suspected hypogonadism can be evaluated with a total testosterone (T) assay. Free T levels may be more useful when elevated or decreased sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) could alter the biologically available fraction of measured T. Obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypothyroidism are associated with low SHBG levels, whereas older age is associated with increasing SHBG. Testing free T levels or total bioavailable T can give accurate measurements in these situations but, unfortunately, the bioavailable T levels assay is difficult to perform, and free T assays also require specialized laboratory standardizations and techniques. The most reliable assay for free T is equilibrium dialysis. Some physicians measure total T and SHBG as a compromise, allowing calculation of a Testosterone Free Index using the formula Total T/SHBG x 100; a useful calculator can be found on the Internet at http://www.issam. ch/freetesto.htm.--R.S.

The trade names of drugs listed in "POEMs and Tips from Other Journals" are the first version of the drug that was released and not necessarily the brand of drug that was used in the study being discussed.

COPYRIGHT 2005 American Academy of Family Physicians
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group

Return to Oxandrin
Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay