Patient Information > Treating Your Anemia

After identifying the underlying cause of your anemia, your doctor may try various treatments for your condition. He or she may recommend changing the foods that you eat, to make sure you are getting enough of the nutrients, such as iron and folic acid, needed for your body to make new red blood cells. Also, your doctor may treat other problems that can inhibit your body’s ability to make red blood cells. There are also medicines available that can treat anemia by boosting your body’s ability to make new red blood cells.

Can anyone take Anadrol^®-50?

Anadrol-50 should not be taken by men with carcinoma (cancer) of the prostate or breast, or by women with carcinoma of the breast with hypercalcemia. Because Anadrol-50 can harm a developing fetus, it should not be taken by women who are or who may become pregnant. It should not be taken by people with serious liver or kidney diseases, or by anyone who is hypersensitive to the drug.

It is very important that you speak to your doctor about any medical problems you may have that could be made worse by Anadrol-50. Your doctor knows your over-all health status and is in the best position to advise you on any possible issues that relate to your taking Anadrol-50.

What warnings or precautions should I be aware of?

The following conditions have been reported in patients receiving androgenic anabolic steroids as a general class of drugs:

Peliosis hepatis, a condition in which liver and sometimes splenic tissue is replaced with blood-filled cysts, has been reported in patients receiving androgenic anabolic steroid therapy. These cysts are sometimes present with minimal hepatic dysfunction, but at other times they have been associated with liver failure. They are often not recognized until life-threatening liver failure or intra-abdominal hemorrhage develops. Withdrawal of drug usually results in complete disappearance of lesions.

Liver cell tumors are also reported. Most often these tumors are benign and androgen-dependent, but fatal malignant tumors have been reported. Withdrawal of drug often results in regression or cessation of progression of the tumor. However, hepatic tumors associated with androgens or anabolic steroids are much more vascular than other hepatic tumors and may be silent until life-threatening intra-abdominal hemorrhage develops.

Blood lipid changes that are known to be associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis are seen in patients treated with androgens and anabolic steroids. These changes include decreased high-density lipoprotein and sometimes increased low-density lipoprotein. The changes may be very marked and could have a serious impact on the risk of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.

Edema may be a serious complication in patients with pre-existing cardiac, renal, or hepatic disease.

Insulin or oral hypoglycemic drugs may require dosage adjustments in diabetic patients who receive anabolic steroids.

Do Anadrol-50 (oxymetholone) 50 mg tablets interfere with other drugs?

Many people with chronic diseases must take several different medications at the same time. Anabolic steroids may increase sensitivity to anticoagulants; therefore, dosage of an anticoagulant may have to be decreased in order to maintain the prothrombin time at a desired therapeutic level.

How can I tell if Anadrol-50 (oxymetholone) 50 mg tablets are working?

After you have been treated with Anadrol-50, your doctor can give you tests that will show if there has been an improvement in the number of red blood cells you have (the red blood cell count). If your red blood cell count is rising, then your anemia is improving.

How long does it take for Anadrol-50 to start working?

Because each person responds differently to treatment with Anadrol-50, your doctor may have you take it for three to six months to make sure that you get the full benefit of treatment for your anemia.

Does Anadrol-50 have any side effects?

Because Anadrol-50 is chemically similar to the main male hormone (testosterone), women taking Anadrol-50 are at risk for developing such masculine characteristics as facial hair, hair loss, or a deeper voice. To prevent irreversible change, drug therapy must be stopped when these symptoms first appear, so tell your doctor immediately.

Men should report the following symptoms to their doctors: too frequent or persistent erections of the penis and appearance or aggravation of acne.
In addition to the above side effects, Anadrol-50 has been associated with liver toxicity. Your doctor will order blood tests periodically to assess your liver function. If you show any signs of liver problems that might be related to Anadrol-50 or other drugs, your doctor may lower your dose or even discontinue Anadrol-50 therapy. Be sure to tell your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, changes in skin color, or ankle swelling.

Since there have been reports of serious side effects by patients receiving this class of drugs, you should discuss the potential for these with your doctor. Your doctor will review all possible side effects that you should be looking for.

You should also discuss with your doctor any other medical conditions that you have. Anabolic steroids may affect the levels of certain substances, called lipids, which have been associated with an increased risk of heart and artery disease, so you should tell your doctor if you are currently taking lipid-lowering drugs to reduce your risk of developing heart disease.