What to Avoid When Taking Anavar
Many prescription medications have legitimate medical use when taken as directed by a doctor, but they can be extremely problematic if abused or not taken as prescribed, which is why many people wonder what to avoid when taking Anavar.
Anavar is the brand name for the anabolic steroid oxandrolone. It’s most commonly prescribed to people who need help regaining weight after medical conditions like surgery, major infections, severe trauma, and weight loss from the use of medications like hydrocortisone or prednisone.
However, the steroid carries significant risks of side effects that can cause serious problems with mental and physical health, and the risks of dangerous drug interactions are also high.
At Resurgence Behavioral Health, our team of experts at our prescription drug rehab in California knows how to treat addiction to Anavar and help someone struggling with drug addiction.
Anavar is sometimes misused by bodybuilders or to bulk up muscle, but that can also be quite dangerous. Let’s explore how long Anavar stays in your system and how it can interact dangerously with other substances if not taken as prescribed.
How Does Anavar Affect the Body
Like many prescription medications, even if taken correctly, this medicine can cause a whole host of physical and mental health problems ranging from minor to life-threatening. The risks only increase if the drug is abused or misused.
The side effects of Anavar include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headaches
- Oily skin and acne
- Hair loss
- Changes to skin color
- Swelling in the limbs, such as arms, hands, feet, and lower legs
- Increased or decreased interest in sex
- Mental health changes, including anxiety, depression, or anger
- Difficulty sleeping
- Urination problems, such as frequent or painful urination or difficulty controlling urination
- Breast swelling
- Prolonged erections and decreased fertility in men
- Deepened voice, unusual body hair growth, and irregular periods in women
Anavar can also lead to serious problems, such as a condition known as edema, in which the body retains extra water and potentially increases the risk of heart issues. Misusing or abusing the drug can also be quite dangerous, with significant problems possible, including heart disease or strokes, liver damage, improper bone growth in teens, and problems with mood or mental health.
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What Are the Dangers of Overdosing on Anavar
If Anavar is taken incorrectly or for too long, it can cause serious damage to the body. Steroids can be quite challenging on the body, as evidenced by research into the death of a 35-year-old bodybuilder who was otherwise healthy. He came in for medical help with symptoms like jaundice and signs of internal bleeding after he had taken the anabolic-androgenic steroid stanozolol for three months. Doctors found his liver was severely damaged, and he died within two days of reporting for treatment due to the severity of injuries to his liver.
If someone overdoses on Anavar, they can suffer from liver and heart problems as well as hormonal imbalances. These risks can be much higher if Anavar interacts with certain other substances, including alcohol and other drugs that are broken down by the liver. Cholesterol problems are also frequently reported if the drug is taken for longer than directed.
Why Should You Avoid Alcohol While Taking Anavar
If you’re wondering what to avoid when taking Anavar, anything that could damage the liver is high on the list. Anavar can put a tremendous strain on the liver, even causing severe liver damage or death.
That’s why it’s vitally important to not take other substances that put stress on the liver while taking Anavar. This includes alcohol, which is quite challenging on the liver already, as well as acetaminophen, naproxen, aspirin, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Anavar can cause a condition known as transaminitis, which is elevated levels of liver enzymes called transaminases. This condition can also be caused by fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, viral infections, including hepatitis B or C, and certain inherited genetic conditions.
Because Anavar is frequently used in burn patients as they recover, one study looked at the rate of them developing transaminitis and 28 of the 66 patients did indeed develop the condition.
Steroid Withdrawal Timeline
| Days 1-2 | The first symptoms of withdrawal begin at some point within five days of the user’s last dose, depending on the half-life of the steroid. Symptoms start faintly and may include irritability, headache and nausea. |
|---|---|
| Days 3-5 | Once withdrawal symptoms start ramping up, former steroid users experience decreased energy and alertness. Psychological symptoms like depression and anxiety also start getting worse during this time. |
| Days 6-7 | Withdrawal symptoms often peak the second week after the user’s last dose of steroids. Abdominal pains, nausea and weight loss are common. Steroid users may also reach the height of a depressive episode and struggle with insomnia. |
| Week 2 | Minor withdrawal symptoms may persist after the second week of quitting steroids, but these symptoms pale in comparison to the previous week. Soon, withdrawal symptoms fade out completely. |
How Can Certain Foods Interfere with Anavar’s Effectiveness?
Anavar has gained popularity due to its potent anabolic effects with minimal androgenic side effects. It is preferred among those looking to enhance their physical appearance and athletic performance without severe side effects. Athletes and bodybuilders are drawn to Anavar because it promotes significant gains in lean muscle mass and strength while helping to burn fat, all with a lower risk of water retention compared to other anabolic steroids.
One thing to keep in mind if you’re thinking about what to avoid when taking Anavar is that some things other than drugs or alcohol can interact with it or make it not work correctly. This can include foods because the steroid itself won’t lead to muscle mass if the user isn’t following a healthy diet. It’s important to eat a nutritious diet and drink plenty of water, as well as avoid or eliminate processed foods and sugars.
Know What to Avoid When Taking Anavar With Help From Resurgence
While Anavar has legitimate medical uses, it can also lead to addiction. Some of the many possible signs of prescription drug addiction include:
- Persistent cravings or thinking about Anavar.
- Increased tolerance to the drug and needing higher doses for the same effects.
- Withdrawal symptoms occur if you stop using Anavar or try to reduce the dosage.
- Continuing to use Anavar despite negative consequences on health, relationships, or work.
If you or a loved one is struggling with this addiction or worrying about what to avoid when taking Anavar against medical directions, help is available. In California, Resurgence Behavioral Health is a specialized prescription drug addiction treatment center that offers the comprehensive care and support you need to overcome drug abuse and achieve a healthier future.
Get started today by calling our drug addiction treatment center at 855-458-0050.
External Sources
WebMD – Anavar Tablet – Uses, Side Effects, and More
National Library of Medicine – Fatal Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Overdose in an Amateur Bodybuilder: A Clinical and Autopsy Report
MedlinePlus – Oxandrolone
ScienceDirect – Incidence of Oxandrolone-Induced Hepatic Transaminitis in Patients with Burn Injury