Anadrol-50 (Oxymetholone) at a glance: schedule, half-life, and class
- Generic name
- Oxymetholone
- Brand names
- Anadrol-50
- Drug class
- Oral 17-alpha-alkylated anabolic-androgenic steroid
- US legal status
- Schedule III, prescription only
- Approved uses
- Anemias from deficient red cell production: aplastic anemia, myelofibrosis, hypoplastic anemias from toxic drugs
- Forms
- 50 mg tablets
- Time to response
- Often 3 to 6 months for anemia
Anadrol-50 uses: what oxymetholone is prescribed for
Oxymetholone stimulates red blood cell production and is approved for certain anemias, such as aplastic anemia, when the bone marrow does not make enough red cells. Newer treatments have largely replaced it.[1]
Anadrol-50 dosage: how oxymetholone is usually prescribed
The figures below come from the FDA-approved label and describe how prescribers typically use oxymetholone. They are not personal dosing advice. A prescriber sets the dose for each person and adjusts it over time.[1]
| Product | Typical adult dose | Notes from the label |
|---|---|---|
| Adults and children, anemia | 1 to 5 mg per kg of body weight a day | Usual effective dose 1 to 2 mg per kg a day |
| Duration | At least 3 to 6 months for a response | Some patients need maintenance therapy |
| Monitoring | Liver tests and cholesterol | Periodic checks during treatment |
Anadrol-50 (oxymetholone) side effects and risks
FDA boxed warnings
- Peliosis hepatis, blood-filled cysts in the liver, sometimes fatal, has occurred with anabolic steroids.[1]
- Liver cell tumors, sometimes malignant, have been reported with long-term use.
- Blood lipid changes that raise the risk of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.
Common side effects include acne, fluid retention, nausea, and, in women, masculinizing changes.[1]
Misuse: bodybuilders use it for rapid gains in size and strength, often at doses far above medical ones, with the risks above.
Anadrol-50 interactions: what not to mix with oxymetholone
Choose what it would be combined with:
| Combined with | What happens | Label guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Warfarin and other blood thinners | Increased bleeding risk | Monitor closely |
| Insulin and diabetes medicines | Lower blood sugar | Monitor |
| Other steroids and stimulants | Heart and liver strain | High risk |
| Alcohol and acetaminophen in high doses | More liver damage (oral steroids) | Avoid |
This is not a full list. A pharmacist can check a complete medication list, including supplements and over-the-counter products.[1]
Anadrol-50 overdose: signs of oxymetholone overdose and what to do
Oxymetholone does not usually cause acute overdose. Harms build over time: seek emergency care for chest pain, signs of stroke, yellowing skin or eyes, severe abdominal pain, or thoughts of self-harm.[2]
When to get emergency help
- Call 911 for chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden weakness or numbness on one side, trouble speaking, or a severe headache.
- Seek urgent care for yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, severe abdominal pain, or a painful, swollen leg.
- Seek care for a hot, painful, or swollen injection site, which may be an infection.
- If you have thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988.
What happens when someone stops anabolic steroids?
After a cycle, the body's own testosterone production is suppressed and can take weeks to months to recover. Many users develop dependence on steroids.[3]
- Weeks 1 to 4Low testosteroneFatigue, low sex drive, erectile problems, and low mood.
- Months 1 to 3RecoveryDepression, which can be severe, and muscle loss; hormone levels slowly recover.
- Months to a year or moreLasting effectsSome people have long-term low testosterone or infertility.
Warning: Depression after stopping steroids can be severe and has been linked to suicide. Anyone with thoughts of self-harm should call or text 988.
A clinician can check hormone levels, treat depression, and help hormones recover. Some people need specialist care.
How to get prescribed Anadrol-50 (oxymetholone) legally in the US
In the United States, oxymetholone is a Schedule III controlled substance. The only legal way to get it is with a prescription from a clinician registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), filled by a licensed pharmacy. Depending on state law, that can be a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.[4]
- Refills: a Schedule III prescription can be refilled up to five times within six months of the date it was written. After that, a new prescription is needed.[5]
- Telehealth: federal flexibilities let DEA-registered clinicians prescribe Schedule II to V medicines after a telemedicine visit, without a prior in-person exam, through December 31, 2026. A permanent DEA rule was under final review in late 2026. State rules can be stricter.[6]
- Monitoring: prescribers and pharmacists in most states check a prescription drug monitoring program, a database of controlled-substance prescriptions, before prescribing or dispensing.
- Pharmacies: a legitimate pharmacy always requires a valid prescription, has a licensed pharmacist available, and is licensed in the state it ships to. The FDA's BeSafeRx tool and the NABP's safe pharmacy list help confirm a pharmacy is real.[7][8]
- Cost: anadrol-50 is expensive and rarely stocked; it is used mainly by hematologists.
Traveling: keep the medicine in its original pharmacy container and carry a copy of the prescription. Check the rules of the destination country before travel, because many countries restrict controlled medicines or require a permit.
Can you order Anadrol-50 (oxymetholone) online legally?
Yes, but only with a valid prescription and only from a pharmacy licensed in your state. Many licensed pharmacies, including mail-order pharmacies run by insurers, fill oxymetholone prescriptions online and ship them. Buying oxymetholone from a website that does not require a prescription is illegal, and the product is often fake.[7][9]
- See a licensed clinicianA clinician evaluates you in person or by telemedicine and decides whether oxymetholone is appropriate.
- The prescription goes to a pharmacyPrescriptions are usually sent electronically, straight from the prescriber to the pharmacy you choose.
- The pharmacy checks and fills itA pharmacist verifies the prescription and your identity, then dispenses the medicine in person or by mail.
Signs that an online seller is illegal:
- It sells oxymetholone with no prescription, or after only a short online questionnaire.
- It takes orders through social media, messaging apps, or email.
- It asks for payment in cryptocurrency, gift cards, or money transfers.
- It has no US street address, no state pharmacy license, and no pharmacist to speak to.
- Its prices are far below those of ordinary pharmacies, or it ships from another country.
The FDA's BeSafeRx tool links to each state's license lookup, and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy lists verified online pharmacies.[7][8]
Anadrol-50 price: how much does Anadrol-50 (oxymetholone) cost without insurance?
Anadrol-50 is expensive and rarely stocked; it is used mainly by hematologists.
What you pay depends on the strength, the number of doses, your insurance plan, and the pharmacy. Cash prices for the same prescription can differ several times over between pharmacies in the same town, so check current prices before you fill it.
Ways to pay less, legally:
- Ask the prescriber whether a generic oxymetholone is available. FDA-approved generics work the same way as the brand and usually cost much less.
- Compare cash prices between pharmacies before you fill the prescription.
- Use a free prescription discount card, such as GoodRx or SingleCare, when you pay cash. These cards cannot be combined with insurance on the same fill.
- For brand-name medicines, check the manufacturer's savings program or patient assistance program.
- Ask about a 90-day supply or your insurer's mail-order pharmacy, which often lowers the cost per dose when your prescriber agrees it is appropriate.
Warning: A price far below what licensed pharmacies charge, especially with no prescription required, is a strong sign of an illegal seller and counterfeit medicine.[7]
Is Anadrol-50 legal? Oxymetholone legal status in other countries
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Class C; possession for personal use is not an offence, but supply is |
| Canada | Schedule IV of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act |
| Australia | Schedule 4 prescription medicine; import controls apply |
| International | Not under UN control; banned in sport by WADA |
Laws change and differ in detail. Check current rules before carrying any controlled medicine across a border.[10]
Common questions about Anadrol-50 (oxymetholone)
What is Anadrol used for?
Certain anemias where the bone marrow does not make enough red blood cells.
Is Anadrol a steroid?
Yes, an oral anabolic-androgenic steroid, Schedule III.
Is Anadrol-50 (oxymetholone) bad for the liver?
It carries boxed warnings for liver cysts and tumors.
Why do bodybuilders use Anadrol?
For quick gains in size and strength; non-medical use is illegal and risky.
How long does Anadrol take to work for anemia?
Often 3 to 6 months.
Can you buy Anadrol-50 (oxymetholone) without a prescription?
No. Anadrol-50 (oxymetholone) is a Schedule III controlled substance in the US, so it is illegal to buy or possess it without a valid prescription. Websites and social media sellers that offer it without one are not legal pharmacies, and the FDA warns that products sold this way are often counterfeit, contaminated, or the wrong strength. The legal route is a visit with a licensed clinician, in person or by telehealth, and a prescription filled at a state-licensed pharmacy. The FDA's BeSafeRx tool and the NABP's safe pharmacy list help confirm an online pharmacy is real.
Sources
- Anadrol-50 (oxymetholone) prescription information. DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine.
- Anabolic Steroids. MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine.
- Anabolic Steroids. National Institute on Drug Abuse.
- Controlled Substance Schedules. DEA Diversion Control Division.
- 21 CFR 1306.22, Refilling of prescriptions (Schedules III and IV). Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
- Prescribing controlled substances via telehealth. US Department of Health and Human Services.
- BeSafeRx: Your Source for Online Pharmacy Information. US Food and Drug Administration.
- Safe Pharmacy. National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
- One Pill Can Kill. US Drug Enforcement Administration.
- International drug control conventions. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
