ANABOLIC STEROIDS - ORAL side effects, medical uses, and drug interactions.

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GENERIC NAME: ANABOLIC STEROIDS - ORAL

WARNING: Rarely, this drug has caused serious, sometimes life-threatening liver problems including liver failure, liver cysts and liver tumors. Notify your doctor promptly if you have any early signs of liver problems such as yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, unusual fatigue, or persistent stomach/abdominal pain. Additionally, this drug may affect your cholesterol and may increase the likelihood of heart or blood vessel problems.

USES: Anabolic steroids are synthetic male hormones which enhance and repair the body tissue-building process. They are used medically to treat anemia (low red blood cell count); to control breast cancer in women; to improve weight loss due to severe illness, and to treat osteoporosis (bone loss). Use of this for non-medical reasons poses serious, life threatening consequences.

HOW TO USE: This medication is taken by mouth. It may be taken with food or milk if stomach upset occurs. Take this medication exactly as prescribed. Do not increase your dose or take this more often than directed since the risk of side effects will be increased. While taking this medication, your doctor may schedule periodic lab tests to monitor the effectiveness of therapy.

SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, trouble sleeping or excitation may occur the first several days as your body adjusts to the medication. Other side effects include acne, yellowing of the skin or mood changes. Males before puberty may experience increases in penis size, frequency of erections, and hair growth. After puberty, males may experience loss of scalp hair, breast tenderness or swelling, painful erections, trouble urinating, changes in sex drive. If any of these effects continue or become bothersome, inform your doctor. Women should notify their doctor if they develop: deepening of the voice, hoarseness, an increase in body hair, changes in sex drive, menstrual changes. Notify your doctor if you develop: vomiting, skin color changes, swelling of the feet or ankles. Diabetics must closely monitor urine and blood sugar while taking this medication and report any changes to your doctor. Anabolic steroids may stop or stunt growth in children under 18 years of age. Thus, this medication must only be used in this age group when prescribed by a medical specialist. Liver disease, sometimes fatal, has occurred as a result of abuse of anabolic steroids. When used as directed under medical supervision, the risks are minimal. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.