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.

PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially: heart, liver or kidney disease, coronary artery disease, seizure disorders, diabetes, any allergies you have. This medication should not be used by men with breast or prostate cancer. Due to serious adverse effects, this medication must not be used to improve athletic performance or physical appearance. This medication should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. It is not known if this medication is excreted into breast milk. However, due to the potential of harm to a nursing infant, breast-feeding should not be undertaken while using this drug.

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Need help identifying pills and medications? Use the pill identifier tool on RxList.