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Suggest Treatment For Side Effects Of Oxandrolone

Posted on Mon, 4 Sep 2017

Question: I have been taking oxandrolone at 5 mg per day for one month. I am female and middle-aged. Before I began taking it, I had some very mild flair-ups of acne. Around the time I started taking it (but before I started taking it), I developed acne that was very abnormal for me in terms of the appearance of the eruptions and their location on my face. About two weeks ago, I was prescribed Minocycline, 100mg, twice a day, for the acne, but had to discontinue it last week due to severe side effects. The Minocycline cleared up the acne in 2 to 3 days, but once I stopped taking it, the acne has returned. Could the oxandrolone cause or aggravate the acne? Also I believe I am retaining fluid and I seemed to have suddenly developed more hair on my face. Also, if the cause of my acne is hormonal, then why would an antibiotic clear the acne?

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
About oxandrolone side effects:

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking!
Oxandrolone is an anabolic steroid.
Anabolic steroids are synthetic derivatives of testosterone. Certain clinical effects and adverse reactions demonstrate the androgenic properties of this class of drugs.
The actions of anabolic steroids are therefore similar to those of male sex hormones, so side effects such as acne, hirsutism even virilisation are expected.
If acne has got worsen after starting it, of course is due to oxandrolone.
Fluid retention is also a side effect of it.
An antibiotic can help when acne is infected but the predisposition to develop acne is increased by oxandrolone.
Hope the information will help.
Kind regards.
Dr.Mirjeta

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Mirjeta Guni (10 hours later)

Dr. Guni, thank you. I have stopped the oxandrolone today. How long will it stay in my system? If the side effects of the acne and the fluid retention are caused by the oxandrolone, then when might I expect those side effects to subside? Also what are the side effects of spironolactone? I took this at a low dose and it did nothing to alleviate the acne. Now I have a prescription for a higher dose, but will it make a difference and what are the side effects? I read that spironolactone works slowly. Also I am on hormonal replacement therapy (taking estradiol in patch form) and fear that that spironolactone may interfere or disrupt the hormone replacement therapy.

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (21 hours later)

Brief Answer:
About spironolactone;

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back!
Oxandrolone has a short half-life. It will take a couple of days to get off the system and the fluid retention will improve within 1 weak.
Spironolactone is recommended to treat hyperandrogenism. The most common side effects are; dehydration (feeling thirsty, dizziness, headache), drowsiness, tiredness ect.
It lowers testosterone level and does not interact with estrogen. You should keep the same dose of estrogen.
While the dose of spironolactone may be needed to increase progressively depending on clinical symptoms.
Wish you good health.
Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta

Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad