Also known as
Other names:
- 17Β-hydroxy-2-[hydroxy methylene]-17-methyl-5 α-androstan-3-one
Brand names:
- Anadrol
- Androl-50
- Anapolon
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval
Oxymetholone is not listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).
World Anti-Doping Code Prohibited List 2025
Oxymetholone is classified on the WADA prohibited list under S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) – prohibited at all times.
This substance meets at least two of the following three criteria, as determined by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
- It has the potential to enhance or does enhance sports performance
- It poses an actual or potential health risk to the athlete
- It violates the spirit of sport (as defined in The Code).
The Prohibited List is updated yearly after consultation with scientific, medical, and anti-doping experts to ensure that it aligns with the latest medical and scientific evidence and doping trends.
What is it?
Oxymetholone is a very potent Anabolic Androgenic Steroid (AAS). It stimulates muscle growth (anabolic) while also having a masculinising (androgenic) impact to a varying degree.
How does it work?
Oxymetholone is a 17α-alkyl derivative of testosterone, which decreases oxidation (breakdown) of the molecule, slowing its metabolism and allows for oral administration. Oxymetholone significantly increases muscle mass, partly due to a high level of water retention.
Uses
Anabolic androgenic steroids have a been widely abused category of performance and image enhancing drug (PIED). Anabolic androgenic steroids typically increase muscle mass, speed, acceleration, power and reduce fat tissue, all of which can be desirable for athletic and cosmetic purposes.
Adverse health effects and risk
Oxymetholone is considered highly potent and can lead to significant increase in muscle mass, this quick increase in muscle mass can lead to a tendon rupture from the increased load.
Oxymetholone can be toxic to the liver, can supress anticlotting factors and can cause irreversible virilisation including deepening voice, acne and excess hair growth.
What if an athlete has been prescribed Oxymetholone for a medical condition?
A Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) would not be granted for the use of Oxymetholone.
References
- WADA (2025). The Prohibited List. [online] World Anti-Doping Agency. Available at: https://www.wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list
- ARTG (2025). Database. Therapeutic Goods Administration. Available at: Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
- Pavlatos, A.M., Fultz, O., Monberg, M.J. and Vootkur, A., 2001. Review of oxymetholone: a 17α-alkylated anabolic-androgenic steroid. Clinical therapeutics, 23(6), pp.789-801
- Mazzeo, F. and Ascione, A., 2013. Anabolic androgenic steroids and doping in sport. Medicina Sportiva: Journal of Romanian Sports Medicine Society, 9(1), p.2009
- Llewellyn, W., 2011. Anabolics. Molecular Nutrition LLC
- Holt, R.I., Erotokritou-Mulligan, I. and Sönksen, P.H., 2009. The history of doping and growth hormone abuse in sport. Growth Hormone & IGF Research, 19(4), pp.320-326
- Quaglio, G., Fornasiero, A., Mezzelani, P., Moreschini, S., Lugoboni, F. and Lechi, A., 2009. Anabolic steroids: dependence and complications of chronic use. Internal and emergency medicine, 4, pp.289-296