Oxandrolone

Anavar is a mild anabolic steroid and widely used by many athletes and body builders. The chief reason for its use is that the drug can help one gain weight.

One of the main reasons why this drug is very popular among athletes is that it does not get converted into estrogen. This results in less gynecomastia. Some even claim that the water retention is much less with this drug.

Oxandrin is a both an anabolic steroid and has all the properties of an androgenic drug. The actions of the drug are similar to those seen with testosterone. At low doses the drug has selective anabolic properties, but at high doses, it also has potent androgenic activity. When used at high doses, the drug can influence the hypothalamus and suppress the release of the Gonadotropins and this leads to a decrease in the synthesis of testosterone. Like all other anabolic steroids, Oxandrin also increases the levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol and decreases the levels of “good” HDL cholesterol. Anavar is one of the few anabolic steroids which is not converted to estrogen at low doses.

The drug is rarely used in clinical medicine. In the past decades, it was used to treat individuals with a variety of anemias, weight loss in HIV patients and was once tried out as treatment for osteoporosis. However, the widespread abuse of this drug led Searle in 1989, to cease production of the drug. Today, the drug is made by Savient Pharmaceutical, under the trade name Oxandrin. Today, some physicians do prescribe Oxandrin to treat moribund patients gain weight after trauma, burns or serious infections. Sometimes it is combined with corticosteroids for the treatment of bone pain in cancer patients.

Many body builders take Anavar. The drug is easily absorbed after ingestion and should be taken with a meal. The typical dose for men is one tablet twice a day. Females need to take only one tablet a day. The majority of body builders usually start at the low dose. Many athletes combine Anavar with other drugs, since at low doses Anavar has minimal side effects. It is often combined with dianabol, winstrol or anadriol. The duration of treatment is anywhere from 4-8 weeks. The exact dosage to begin treatment is variable but most experts recommend 5 mg total per day and gradually increasing the dose over 2-3 weeks.

Anavar is heavily favored by women because it has minimal virilizing effects at low dose. However, if the dose is greater than 5 mg per day and if the duration of treatment is longer than 6 weeks, signs of musculanization will become evident. The weight gain by Anavar is slow and gradual. Most body builders see weight gain after 3-4 weeks.

NEGATIVE EFFECTS

Like all anabolic steroids, Oxandrin also has some side effects. At the low doses, the majority of side effects are minor. The side effects at low dose may include some minor abdominal discomfort, nausea or diarrhea. However, at high doses the side effects include:

1. jaundice

2. rare hepatic necrosis

3. liver cancers

4. general malaise

5. testicular atrophy

6. hair loss

7. breast enlargement

8. stomach cramps, nausea, bloating

9. acne, oily skin

10. diarrhea

11. menstrual irregularities

12. testicular atrophy

13. The majority of these side effects are reversible when the drug is stopped.

Signs of Virilization include the following:

14. Deep voice

15. Decrease libido

16. Clitoral enlargement

17. Acne

18. Excessive hair growth

Women who do develop virilizing signs should stop the drug immediately. While the acne and excessive hair growth may reverse, the other virilizing signs are not always reversible.

Contraindications

There are a few conditions where Oxandrolone should not be used. These include patients with:

19. suspected prostate cancer

20. breast cancer in male or female

21. pregnancy

22. if there is evidence of hypercalcemia

23. allergy to anabolic steroids

Warnings

All anabolic steroids have the potential to damage the liver and cause jaundice. There are many cases of individuals who have developed both liver dysfunction and ever growths on the liver. The most serious complication of any anabolic steroid is liver cancer and thus, all individuals who do take this drug should be aware of this complication. Perhaps routine liver enzymes and even an annual ultrasound of the liver would not be a bad idea.

Overdose

The majority of anabolic steroids are generally quite safe and overdose is very unlikely. Even if one were to take many pills, the acute effects of Anavar are not life threatening- but you won’t be feeling great for a long time. In any case, a visit to the Emergency room is highly recommended if such an event were to occur. The treatment of all steroidal overdose is supportive.