Oxydrolone

What is Oxydrolone by Alpha Pharma?

Oxymetholone started its career in hematology, not in the gym. It was developed around 1960 and approved as a treatment for anemias caused by poor red blood cell production, such as aplastic anemia and myelofibrosis, as well as anemia caused by drugs that damage the bone marrow. Oxydrolone is Alpha Pharma's tablet form of this compound, with 50 mg of oxymetholone in each pill.

The substance is an oral anabolic-androgenic steroid of the dihydrotestosterone family, made orally active through 17-alpha methylation. In US medicine it is known under the brand Anadrol-50. Clinical researchers have also looked at it for muscle wasting in people with HIV, but its use has always been limited by its side effects on the liver and blood lipids.

Effects and why athletes use it

The same action that helps anemic patients, stimulation of erythropoietin and red blood cell production, is part of why oxymetholone is effective for athletes: more red cells means more oxygen-carrying capacity. Combined with strong stimulation of protein synthesis and glycogen storage, this makes Oxydrolone one of the fastest-acting bulking compounds available in tablet form.

Bodybuilders typically use it during off-season mass phases, while powerlifters and strongmen value the steep rise in strength. Many users describe heavy pumps in training and a fast increase in scale weight. The flip side is that a significant part of that weight is fluid, and the full, smooth look is not suitable for contest preparation.

How it is used

For anemia, doses were calculated by body weight under medical control. In bodybuilding, reports most often describe 50 mg a day, with a range from 25 up to 100 mg, for no more than about four to six weeks. Higher amounts tend to increase side effects more than results. It is frequently placed at the beginning or the middle of an injectable cycle and followed by a recovery period. These figures reflect common practice only: dose and duration must be agreed with a qualified medical professional, with regular monitoring of liver function, hematocrit and blood pressure.

Side effects

Oxymetholone carries a long list of possible problems:

• elevated liver enzymes, jaundice and, with long use, rare but serious liver conditions including blood-filled cysts and tumors;
• water retention, bloating and raised blood pressure;
• gynecomastia, despite the fact that the compound does not aromatize;
• headaches, nausea, lethargy and loss of appetite;
• thicker blood from excess red cells, which increases cardiovascular risk;
• a falling HDL level, acne, hair loss and suppressed natural testosterone.

Women, people with liver, kidney or heart disease, and anyone with prostate or breast cancer should not use it.

Package

Oxydrolone by Alpha Pharma comes in a pack of 50 pills of 50 mg oxymetholone. It can be ordered on MaxLabs.co.