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Overview: Oxandrolone is an oral tablet used to help maintain muscle, relieve bone pain, or promote weight gain in certain people. It acts like the hormone testosterone. Common side effects include nausea, changes in mood or sleep, skin or hair changes, swelling, changes in sex drive or periods, and other hormone-related effects. Tell your health care provider right away if you have yellowing of your skin or eyes, unusual tiredness, or bad stomach pain or if you bruise or bleed more easily than usual.

Uses

What is oxandrolone used for?

Oxandrolone is commonly used for the following conditions.

  • To help your body keep muscle when long-term steroid treatment causes protein breakdown (protein catabolism) 
  • To relieve bone pain due to thinning of bones (osteoporosis)
  • To help promote weight gain in people who have lost too much weight after major surgery, illness, trauma, or infection or have trouble gaining or maintaining normal weight

Note: FDA-approved forms of oxandrolone have been discontinued and are no longer available in the United States. 

How does oxandrolone work (mechanism of action)?

Oxandrolone acts like the hormone testosterone. It has similar muscle-building (anabolic) and hormone-related (androgenic) effects. 

How is oxandrolone supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Anavar
  • Oxandrin

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 2.5 mg, 10 mg oral tablets

How should I store oxandrolone?

Oxandrolone should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of oxandrolone?

The most common side effects of oxandrolone are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on your age and sex. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Changes in skin color
  • Swollen ankles or fluid retention
  • Changes in the size of your genitals
  • Erection problems
  • Changes in sex drive
  • Mood changes, such as feeling low or restless
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Irregular periods
  • Breast changes
  • Excessive hair growth or hair loss
  • Acne
  • Changes in how your body uses sugar (see Metabolism Problems below)

There may be other side effects of oxandrolone that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of oxandrolone?

While less common, the most serious side effects of oxandrolone are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Oxandrolone may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking oxandrolone and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Liver Problems. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking oxandrolone. In rare cases, some people have had liver tumors or blood-filled cysts in the liver and/or spleen. These problems can be serious and lead to liver failure. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Bleeding. People taking oxandrolone may have an increased risk of bleeding or bruising. You may be at higher risk if you are also taking a blood thinner such as warfarin. Tell your health care provider if you notice any changes in how easily you bruise or bleed. 

Metabolism Problems. Oxandrolone may affect the way your body uses sugar (glucose). This can increase your blood sugar levels. Talk to your health care provider about how to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Oxandrolone can also raise LDL (“bad” cholesterol) and lower HDL (“good” cholesterol). These changes in cholesterol levels can increase the risk of heart disease over time. Keep all appointments with your health care provider to check your blood. Call your health care provider if you have the following symptoms of high blood sugar.

  • Thirsty more than usual
  • Peeing more than usual
  • Increase in hunger
  • Tiredness
  • Feeling sick to your stomach
  • Confusion
  • Your breath smelling fruity

Growth Problems in Children. Oxandrolone may cause bones to mature too quickly in children, which can limit how tall they grow. This risk is higher in younger children. Your health care provider may also do X-rays to monitor your child’s bone development while taking oxandrolone. Keep all appointments with your health care provider to check your child’s growth during treatment. 

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not take oxandrolone?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take oxandrolone.

  • Anavar
  • Oxandrin
  • Oxandrolone
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific oxandrolone products they stock.

Certain Cancers. Taking oxandrolone could make certain cancers worse. People who have prostate cancer should not take oxandrolone. In general, people who have breast cancer should also not take this medicine. 

High Calcium Levels. People who have high levels of calcium (hypercalcemia) in their blood should not take oxandrolone, including people who have high calcium due to breast cancer. Taking oxandrolone can raise calcium levels even more, which could be unsafe.

Kidney Damage. You should not take oxandrolone if you have a certain type of kidney inflammation (nephritis). Taking oxandrolone may worsen the damage or put extra strain on the kidneys.

Pregnancy. Do not take oxandrolone if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, contact your health care provider right away. See the Pregnancy section for more details.

What should I know about oxandrolone before taking it?

Do not take oxandrolone unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share oxandrolone with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep oxandrolone out of the reach of children. Oxandrolone is a controlled substance because it can be misused or lead to dependence. Store oxandrolone in a safe place to protect it from theft. It is illegal to sell or give away this medicine.

Oxandrolone does not enhance athletic performance. 

Oxandrolone may make it hard for you to get pregnant or get your partner pregnant. If you have concerns, talk to your health care provider.

People who are 65 or older can be at greater risk of some side effects from oxandrolone. Talk to your health care provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

Women should tell their health care provider right away if they have changes while taking oxandrolone, such as a deeper voice or more body hair. Your health care provider can help decide if you should stop taking oxandrolone or continue treatment. Some of these side effects may not go away, even if you stop taking it.

What should I tell my health care provider before taking oxandrolone?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if oxandrolone is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Oxandrolone may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking oxandrolone, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

Pregnancy. Oxandrolone can cause harm to a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking oxandrolone right away and contact your health care provider. 

Breastfeeding. It is not known if oxandrolone passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should stop breastfeeding or stop oxandrolone.

Interactions

Does oxandrolone interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between oxandrolone and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect oxandrolone. 

Does oxandrolone interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking oxandrolone.

  • Warfarin, which is a blood thinner
  • A medicine for diabetes
  • A corticosteroid, such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, or prednisone, which is a medicine for certain inflammatory conditions
  • Corticotropin (Acthar Gel, Purified Cortrophin Gel), which is a used to treat inflammatory conditions and a certain type of seizure
  • Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), which is a medicine that suppresses your immune system

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with oxandrolone. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally take too much oxandrolone?

If you or someone else has used too much oxandrolone, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of oxandrolone?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.