What is oxymetholone?

Oxymetholone is an anabolic steroid that is used by athletes to increase muscular mass and strength. It may also be used for other purposes, such as for the treatment of anemia and to maintain lean body mass in HIV compromised patients. Oxymetholone may be used in combination with other anabolic steroids and medical findings report dramatic improvement in increasing muscular mass and strength. Oxymetholone may be used only with prescription. However, taking into account the importance of the drug and its usage in athletes, it is traded actively on the black market. The usage of the steroid without prescription is illegal because athletes may abuse it. Therefore, before starting to take the drug, consult a physician and make all necessary laboratory tests in order to determine the appropriate dosage for your medical condition and desired goals. Oxymetholone is contraindicated in patients with an apparent hypersensitivity to it or to any of its ingredients. Do not use oxymetholone if you have experienced previously signs and symptoms of allergic reaction to other anabolic steroids.

Indications of use and dosage

Oxymetholone is a drug that is available for oral administration as tablets. Generally, the right dosage is indicated individually to each user. However, the typical dosage of oxymetholone is 50-150 mg per day. Depending on the desired goal of the user, the doses can get to 300mg per day. If it is stacked with other anabolic steroids, the maximum dose of oxymetholone should not exceed 150 mg per day.

It is recommended to take the tablets with food or milk in order to decrease the incidence of side effects. Users should be aware of the abuse of the drug and not exceed the indicated dosage.

Oxymetholone is not recommended for use in female athletes due to fact that women are mostly susceptible to occurrence of side effects. However, medical findings report a moderate rate of virilization if not exceeding a maximum dose of 50 mg per day. This dosage is considered more than appropriate for women in losing fat, adding muscular mass and improvement of their physiques. Lower doses of oxymetholone, are effective in the same manner as a dose of 50 mg per day and provide lower risks.

Important tips for using oxymetholone

Before starting to use oxymetholone, like in case of using other anabolic steroids it is important to consult a doctor first and make all necessary laboratory tests in order to assess the readiness to use such a drug, the risks associated with it and your overall medical condition. This measure is important, as you may react in a different way to the drug and it may deteriorate your existing health condition.

·It is important to be aware of the increased toxicity for the liver function. Before starting to use oxymetholone, evaluate the liver enzymes level by making appropriate laboratory tests. Report about any signs and symptoms of liver disorders such as yellowing of skin/eye, abdominal/stomach pain, dark urine and unusual tiredness.

·Prevent your doctor about all medicines you are taking including prescription and non-prescription ones in order to avoid potential interaction between drugs. It is not recommended concurrent administration of oral anti-diabetic agents, oral anticoagulants and antidepressants.

·In order to prevent the occurrence of heart and vessels problems, periodically evaluate the cholesterol levels.

·Oxymetholone is contraindicated in pregnant women. All anabolic steroids are considered to be dangerous for the development of the fetus as these cross the placenta and affect the bone growth and the formation itself of the fetus. Use the most effective ways of contraception and if you become pregnant while taking oxymetholone discontinue immediately with the drug and make sure there is no risk for the fetus.

·Nursing mothers should stop the breastfeeding while using oxymetholone. Like all anabolic steroids it is excreted into breast milk and may harm the baby. Discuss with a doctor about all risks and do not breastfeed while taking oxymetholone.

·If you missed a dose, do not worry; take the dose as soon as you remember. The levels of the drug in blood do not change dramatically if you forgot to take a dose, however try to not miss more than two doses in a row. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.

 

Possible side effects with oxymetholone

Like most of medicines and anabolic steroids, oxymetholone may cause side effects while used in indicated doses. In order to anticipate the interference of the drug with estrogen metabolism, it is recommended to closely monitor estradiol levels and keep them under control for the whole period of usage of the drug. Although, oxymetholone is not expected to aromatize and neither to have estrogenic activity; therefore it would be appropriate to use an aromatase inhibitor concurrently with oxymetholone, such as letrozole.

The main side effect associated with the usage of oxymetholone is liver toxicity and liver dysfunction. It is an adverse event related to all anabolic steroids. It is important to make all necessary laboratory tests before starting the cycle in order to anticipate the worsening of existing symptoms. However, there is another measure of precaution and this is to limit the duration between doses and length of usage to 8 weeks. It would allow the liver regenerate more quickly.

Possible side effects users may experience with oxymetholone are the following:

·Hypertension;

·Prostate enlargement;

·Acne;

·Male pattern baldness.

As already mentioned above, oxymetholone is not indicated for the use in female athletes because women are more susceptible to side effects.

The most common adverse reactions in women are the following:

·Irregular menstrual periods;

·Enlarged clitoris;

·Deepening of the voice;

·Hoarseness;

·Virilization and

·Unusual hair growth on the body and face.

If any of the enumerated symptoms occur, report about them right away as these might become persistent and more severe.

Storage

·It is recommended to store the drug in a clean and dry place at the room temperature below 30 degrees C.

·Try to keep the drug out of the sight and reach of children.

·Keep oxymetholone away from the direct sunlight and heat.

·Do not leave the drug in the kitchen or in the bathroom near sink, in order to avoid deterioration of the drug.

·Do not use expired drugs. Always check the expiry date on the bottom of the package.

·Do not flush unwanted or expired drug down the toilet. Ask for a pharmacist for more appropriate disposal ways.