Anabolic Steroids

Question 1

Anabolic Steroids

Answer 1

• Analogs of testosterone
• Developed for tissue building effects of testosterone with less androgenic effects
• Controlled substances known to be illegally used for enhanced althetic performance such as building muscles and hematocrit and theoritically used to increase strength and endurance
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Question 2

Adverse Effects

Answer 2

• Cardiomyopathy
• Sexual dysfunction
• Hepatic carcinoma
• Personality changes

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Question 3

Types of Anabolic Steroids

Answer 3

• Nandrolone (Durabolin)- used in treatment of anemia associated with chronic renal failure
• Oxandrolone (Oxandrin)- used to treat certain cancers, promote weigth gain debiliated pts, increase protein anabolism in pts on prolonged corticosteroid therapy
• Oxymythalone (Androl -50) Used to treat various anemias in adults, increase red blood cells
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Question 4

Therapeutic Actions & Indications

Answer 4

• Promote body tissue building process
• Reverse catabolic or tissue destroying process
• Increase hemoglobin and red blood cell mass
• Indication varies according to steroids; treat anemia, promote weigth gain, tissue repair, orotein anabolism in pt on long term corticosteroid therapy

Question 5

Pharmacokinetics

Answer 5

• Well absorbed and widely distributed throughout the body
• metabolized in liver; excreted in urine
• Onet- SLow
• T 1/2 9hrs

Question 6

Contraindications & Caution

Answer 6

• Liver dysfunction
• metabolized in liver and known to cause liver toxicity
• in aany known allergy to anabolic steroids
• during pregnancy and lactation (potential masculinization in neonate)
• prostate and breast cancer in males
• coronary disease such as cholesterol - drug has cholesterol raising effects

Question 7

Adverse Effects

Answer 7

• Excitation
• insomnia
• in prepeubertal males- virilization (skin pigmentation)
• Hirsutism
• In females and newborn males -shows increased signs of male characteristics at birth
• retention of sodium, water and chloride, acne, masculinization in females
• In postpubertal males- inhibition of testicular function, baldness, gynecomastia, priapism

Question 8

Drug to Drug Interactions

Answer 8

• Steroids affect the liver interaction with oral anticogulants such as nicomalone, phenydion, warfarin and potentiaally decreased need for antidiabetic agents (may not be metabolized normally)

Question 9

Nursing Implications

Answer 9

• Administer with food if GI upset severe, to relieve GI distress
• Monitor hepatic and endocrine function as well as serum electrolyte before, during and periodically
• Provide thorough education to the pt including measures to avoid adverse effects and warning signs of problems