Fluoxymesterone, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: hormone

Generic and brand names: fluoxymesterone, oral; Halotestin

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is a male hormone prescribed when not enough of the hormone is produced naturally by your body. It is also used to stimulate puberty and treat certain breast cancers in women.

Use by athletes to improve muscle strength is not recommended.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Tell your health care provider if you have a history of liver disease.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Take this medicine exactly as your health care provider prescribes. Do not take more of it or take it longer than directed. Taking too much of this medicine may increase the risk of side effects.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your health care provider.

What should I watch out for?

Your health care provider may want to see you regularly to check your progress.

Long-term use of this medicine, especially in large doses, may cause enlargement of the breasts in men and growth of facial hair in women. If you have one of these problems, contact your health care provider.

Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your health care provider about this.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Yellowish eyes or skin, dark urine, black or very light bowel movements, sore throat, fever, bloody vomit, red spots on your skin or in your mouth.

Other: Constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, trouble sleeping.

Important: Other side effects have been reported in both men and women. Report any ill effects to your health care provider right away.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin) and heparin
• insulin or other medicines for diabetes
• steroids or ACTH such as prednisone (Meticorten, Orasone, Deltasone), prednisolone (Delta-Cortef, Prelone), dexamethasone (Decadron), triamcinolone (Aristocort, Kenalog), hydrocortisone (Hydrocortone, Cortef), methylprednisolone (Depo-Medrol, Medrol), and cortisone (Cortone).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.