Oxymetholone treatment for sickle cell anemia.

Blood. 1975 Jun;45(6):769-77.

Oxymetholone treatment for sickle cell anemia.

Alexanian R, Nadell J.

Seven patients with sickle cell anemia were treated with oxymetholone for at
least 2 mo. Markedly increased basal rates of hemolysis and erythropoiesis were
confirmed. The urinary erythropoietin excretion was either normal or lower than
expected for the red cell mass, and an expanded blood volume was due primarily to
an increased plasma volume. After androgen therapy, six patients demonstrated
more than a fivefold increase in urinary erythropoietin, with an increase in red
cell mass ranging from 17%-75% above the control value. All showed a decline in
serum iron level to the 25-75 mug/100 ml range within 4 wk after the start of
therapy. Less marked changes followed lower oxymetholone doses. Reversible
hepatic toxicity, with a serum bilirubin concentration exceeding 50 mg/100 ml,
occurred in one patient. Androgenic hormone therapy may be useful for selected
adult patients with sickle cell disease when severe anemia contributes to disease
morbidity.