Oxandrolone
Definition
Oxandrolone (Fig. 1) is an anabolic steroid hormone that was first synthesized in 1962. It is a 17-methyl steroid and can be administered orally. Like all banned steroid hormones, it must not be used by athletes at any time (not even for medical reasons).
Fig. 1 Chemical structural formula of oxandrolone
Oxandrolone is not available in Germany. However, it is sold abroad, including in the U.S., under the brand name Oxandrin (2.5 mg per tablet).
Indications
For emaciation, delayed puberty, and Ullrich-Turner syndrome.
To increase body weight following surgery, chronic infections, and various catabolic conditions associated with weight loss. To counteract protein breakdown following long-term use of corticosteroids and to alleviate pain in osteoporosis, generally in any catabolic condition. When using oxandrolone, sufficient calories and protein should be consumed simultaneously to ensure a positive nitrogen balance.
In cases of symptomatic short stature, Oxandrolone is used, among other things, in combination with growth hormone
Dosage:
Therapeutic doses range from 2.5 to 20 mg of oxandrolone per day. For the treatment of delayed growth and delayed puberty in boys, doses of 1.25 to 2.5 mg per day are recommended.
Side effects
Peliosis hepatitis, hepatocellular carcinoma, changes in blood lipoproteins (increase in low-density lipoprotein [LDL] and decrease in high-density lipoprotein [HDL]), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice due to bile stasis, agitation, sleep disturbances, virilization, acne, decreased sperm production, gynecomastia (abnormal breast growth in men), testicular atrophy, hirsutism, hoarseness and deepening of the voice, clitoral enlargement, decreased serum electrolytes (sodium, chloride, potassium, phosphate, calcium). Glucose intolerance.
Contraindications
: Prostate cancer, breast cancer, degenerative kidney disease, pregnancy, diabetes
Metabolism
Unlike many other 17-methylsteroids, oxandrolone is excreted in the urine largely unchanged and unconjugated. The main metabolites of oxandrolone are 17-epioxandrolone and 16-hydroxy metabolites. (see Fig. 2).
(July 25, 2001)
Detection of long-term excreted metabolites
In 2010, Parr et al. identified a new long-term metabolite (see Fig. 2) in a spot urine sample following administration of oxandrolone.
Parr MK, Fußhöller G, Gütschow M, Hess C, Schänzer W. GC-MS(/MS) investigations on long-term metabolites of 17-methyl steroids In: Schänzer W, Geyer H, Gotzmann A, Mareck U (eds.) Recent advances in doping analysis (18). Sportverlag Strauß, Cologne, 2010, 64–73.
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In 2013, Guddat et al. succeeded in synthesizing and characterizing long-term metabolites of oxandrolone, thereby significantly extending the detection window for oxandrolone in doping controls.
Guddat S, Fußhöller G, Beuck S, Thomas A, Geyer H, Rydevik A, Bondesson U, Hedeland M, Lagojda A, Schänzer W, Thevis M Synthesis, characterization, and detection of new oxandrolone metabolites as long-term markers in sports drug testing Anal Bioanal Chem. 2013 Oct;405(25):8285-94.
Abstract of the article
(Oct. 31, 2018)