Anabolic Steroids (Systemic)

Side Effects of This Medicine

Tumors of the liver, liver cancer, or peliosis hepatis, a form of liver disease, have occurred during long-term, high-dose therapy with anabolic steroids. Although these effects are rare, they can be very serious and may cause death. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur :

For both females and males

Less common

Yellow eyes or skin

Rare (with long-term use)

Black, tarry, or light-colored stools; dark-colored urine; purple- or red-colored spots on body or inside the mouth or nose; sore throat and/or fever; vomiting of blood

Also, check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

For both females and males

Less common

Bone pain; nausea or vomiting; sore tongue; swelling of feet or lower legs; unusual bleeding; unusual weight gain

Rare (with long-term use)

Abdominal or stomach pain; feeling of discomfort (continuing); headache (continuing); hives; loss of appetite (continuing); unexplained weight loss; unpleasant breath odor (continuing)

For females only

More common

Acne or oily skin; enlarging clitoris; hoarseness or deepening of voice; irregular menstrual periods; unnatural hair growth; unusual hair loss

Less common

Mental depression; unusual tiredness

For young males (boys) only

More common

Acne; enlarging penis; increased frequency of erections; unnatural hair growth

Less common

Unexplained darkening of skin

For sexually mature males only

More common

Enlargement of breasts or breast soreness; frequent or continuing erections; frequent urge to urinate

For elderly males only

Less common

Difficult or frequent urination

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

For both females and males

Less common

Chills; diarrhea; feeling of abdominal or stomach fullness; muscle cramps; trouble in sleeping; unusual decrease or increase in sexual desire

For males only

More common

Acne

Less common

Decreased sexual ability

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.