Oxymetholone is a steroid which was originally developed to help aid patients with anemia caused by certain medical conditions. Since then, it has been routinely used by athletes to promote weight gain and to stimulate the growth of muscle when accompanied by strength building workouts. The safety of using it for this reason is questionable and in most professional sports, its use to artificially inflate performance is generally not allowed.
The use of oxymetholone is often successful in raising red blood cell count in those who suffer from anemia due to certain health conditions or those who have lost red blood cells by undergoing treatments for some diseases, such as cancer. For this purpose, it is useful and is considered relatively safe when taken under the supervision of a doctor. There are some side effects, which may include headache, weight gain, malaise, nausea, high blood pressure, and lowered testosterone levels. This could lead to lowered libido.
Many athletes have also used oxymetholone to increase muscle mass during workouts, but this is generally not advised despite its apparent effectiveness. This is because oxymetholone is incredibly toxic to the liver, especially when taken in high dosages or when consumed over long periods of time. Those who are not under the supervision of a medical professional run the risk of serious liver damage.
The use of steroids, including oxymetholone, has also been linked to infertility in men due to their ability to hinder testosterone production. Depleted testosterone can lead to low sperm count and motility, and may also decrease libido in both men and women because testosterone is the hormone responsible for sex drive. Effects may remain to some extent even after oxymetholone is no longer being used, depending on dosages and duration of use.
In some cases oxymetholone may be used to help patients gain weight if severe and potentially harmful weight loss is expected due to disease or treatment. It has been shown effective in causing dramatic weight gain in AIDS patients, although the side effects may be too much for some to handle. Other methods may be recommended to aid in weight gain, especially for those at high risk of liver failure. Side effects may be able to be controlled with proper monitoring and dosage alterations during the first several weeks of use. If long-term effects are noted, the medication may be discontinued and an alternate therapy may be administered.
