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Oxm4.4

Oxymetholone (Anadrol) Research

Mostly mechanism / observational

12 peer-reviewed studies

What the evidence says

Mostly mechanism / observational

Most Oxymetholone (Anadrol) studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.

Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1983–2017 with a typical study size of 1 participants.

Based on 11 studies · 1 meta-analysis · 8 RCTs · 1 total participants

Confidence

Moderate confidence

By outcome

Anemia & erythropoiesis
Mostly mechanism / observational5 studies
Lean mass, weight & strengthA phase-III RCT in HIV-associated wasting showed gains in body weight and body cell mass; RCTs in older men and dialysis patients show added lean body mass and strength · Weeks to months
Mostly mechanism / observational4 studies
Hepatotoxicity
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies
Safety profile
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies
Cholesterol & lipids
Too few graded studies1 study

Older research base

Newest study from 2017 · Latest meta-analysis: 2014

198320002017

1RCT1996

Hengge UR, Baumann M, Maleba R, Brockmeyer NH, Goos M · Br J Nutr (1996)

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2RCT1992

Doney K, Pepe M, Storb R, Bryant E, Anasetti C, Appelbaum FR · Blood (1992)

3RCT2003

Schroeder ET, Singh A, Bhasin S, Storer TW, Azen C, Davidson T · Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab (2003)

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4RCT1983

Steinherz PG, Rosen G, Miller DR · Am J Pediatr Hematol Oncol (1983)

5RCT2003

Hengge UR, Stocks K, Wiehler H, Faulkner S, Esser S, Lorenz C · AIDS (2003)

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6RCT2013

Supasyndh O, Satirapoj B, Aramwit P, Viroonudomphol D, Chaiprasert A, Thanachatwej V · Clin J Am Soc Nephrol (2013)

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7RCT2010

Aramwit P, Palapinyo S, Wiwatniwong S, Supasyndh O · Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther (2010)

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8RCT2009

Aramwit P, Kobpipat N, Satirapoj B, Kopple JD, Supasyndh O · Clin Nephrol (2009)

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9RCTRetracted2003

Hengge UR, Stocks K, Faulkner S, Wiehler H, Lorenz C, Jentzen W · HIV Clin Trials (2003)

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10Meta-Analysis2014

In plain English: We found limited evidence ... to indicate that oxymetholone can increase haemoglobin (Hb) (MD 1.90 g/dL) ... alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (MD 54.50 U/L) ... and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (MD 47.33 U/L); and decrease high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (MD -15.66 mg/dL).

Yang Q, Abudou M, Xie XS, Wu T · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2014)

Top-of-pyramid synthesis: a Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials of androgens for the anaemia of chronic kidney disease (8 studies, 181 participants)
Oxymetholone raised haemoglobin (+1.90 g/dL) and haematocrit and improved albumin — supporting the approved anemia/erythropoietic indication
Quantifies the harms in the same review: large ALT (+54.5 U/L) and AST (+47.3 U/L) rises and a fall in HDL (−15.7 mg/dL) — hepatotoxicity and adverse lipids together

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11Review2017

In plain English: Androgens are the main nontransplant therapy for bone marrow failure in dyskeratosis congenita and Fanconi anemia, reaching responses in up to 80% of cases. Danazol and oxymetholone are more commonly used, but virilization and liver toxicity are major adverse events.

Calado RT, Clé DV · Hematology. American Society of Hematology. Education Program (2017)

Outcome anchor for the approved/inherited-anemia indication: a review of non-transplant treatment of inherited bone-marrow-failure syndromes
Androgens including oxymetholone and danazol are the main nontransplant therapy and produce haematologic responses in up to ~80% of cases of Fanconi anemia and dyskeratosis congenita
Names the dominant harms in the same breath — virilization and liver toxicity are the major adverse events

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12Case Studyn=1 · very small study2009

In plain English: Here, we present a young male patient with aplastic anemia, who had received long-term treatment with oxymetholone ... peliosis hepatis ... may cause fatal hepatic hemorrhage and liver failure ... massive intra-abdominal bleeding should also be considered.

Choi SK, Jin JS, Cho SG, Choi SJ, Kim CS, Choe YM, Lee KY · World journal of gastroenterology (2009)

Mandatory severe-harm counter-evidence: a case report of an aplastic-anemia patient on long-term oxymetholone who suffered spontaneous liver rupture
Peliosis hepatis (blood-filled hepatic cavities) ruptured, causing profuse hemoperitoneum requiring emergency right hemihepatectomy
Illustrates the worst-case end of oxymetholone's hepatotoxicity spectrum — beyond reversible transaminitis to life-threatening structural liver injury

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View in Research Library

Oxymetholone (Anadrol) Research

Mostly mechanism / observational

Oxymetholone promotes weight gain in patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection.

Immunosuppressive therapy of aplastic anemia: results of a prospective, randomized trial of antithymocyte globulin (ATG), methylprednisolone, and oxymetholone to ATG, very high-dose methylprednisolone, and oxymetholone.

Effects of an oral androgen on muscle and metabolism in older, community-dwelling men.

Effect of lithium carbonate plus oxymetholone vs. lithium alone on chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression.

Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase III trial of oxymetholone for the treatment of HIV wasting.

Effect of oral anabolic steroid on muscle strength and muscle growth in hemodialysis patients.

The efficacy of oxymetholone in combination with erythropoietin on hematologic parameters and muscle mass in CAPD patients.

Oxymetholone ameliorates insulin sensitivity in maintenance hemodialysis patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Oxymetholone for the treatment of HIV-wasting: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase III trial in eugonadal men and women.

Androgens for the anaemia of chronic kidney disease in adults.

Treatment of inherited bone marrow failure syndromes beyond transplantation.

Spontaneous liver rupture in a patient with peliosis hepatis: a case report.