Oxandrolone for weight gain.

Oxandrolone, an oral drug that promotes weight gain in people experiencing weight loss, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for patients with HIV. Oxandrolone's effectiveness in HIV-related weight loss is unknown. The drug is a man-made anabolic steroid. Several small studies have shown encouraging results for HIV-related weight loss when doses two to eight times the recommended dosage were used. Daily doses ranging from 20 to 80 mg appear to be needed for treating HIV-associated wasting syndrome. A host of side effects usually associated with anabolic steroids are not seen as frequently with oxandrolone, including liver toxicity. More information can be obtained by contacting the Project Inform Hotline.