Oxymetholone (anadrol 50) is medically used for the treatment of severe aplastic anemia.

The drug increases erythropoietin (EPO) production from the kidneys, iron absorption improves in small intestine and also stimulates the production of red cells from bone marrow.

As a result, erythropoiesis process improves.

Furthermore, oxymetholone is prescribed to reverse wasting complications associated with HIV, by improving protein synthesis and restoration of lean body mass.

From chemical point of view, oxymetholone is a dihydrotestosterone (DHT) derivative and as such cannot be aromatized.

However, oxymetholone’s metabolites have showed a great affinity to the estrogen receptors.

This is something which is observed under estrogenic environment.

When oxymetholone is administrated alone, while beta estradiol (E2) levels are relatively low, there is no particular aromatization.

However, under the presence of other AAS with estrogenic activity, aromatization occurs.

This explains why within a gaining cycle with testosterone, nandrolone, boldenone and methandienone, oxymetholone seems to aromatize and be able for extreme water retention.

Its half life is around nine hours, which means it should be administrated twice a day.

 

Oxymetholone presents severe side effects.

Blood lipid changes include decreased high density lipoprotein (HDL) and sometimes increased low density lipoprotein (LDL), which are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

Increased blood pressure due to sodium retention is a common side effect, while nausea and vomiting often appear.

Oxymetholone’s hepatotoxicity includes pharmaceutical hepatitis, cholestasis, jaundice, while cases of hepatic peliosis have been reported.

Furthermore, blood coagulation is distorted and prothrombin time (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR) are prolonged.

Oxymetholone, as a derivative of DHT, has no impact on the metabolism of 5a reductase and its reduction in DHT.

Therefore, it does not affect the hypertrophy of the prostate gland (BPH) or male alopecia (MPB), compared to other derivatives of testosterone.

Its androgenic property leads to acne, oily skin, body/facial hair growth and aggressive behavior.