ZESTABOLIN 50MG INJECTION belongs to the group of medications called ‘anabolic steroids’ used to treat osteoporosis in post-menopausal women. Osteoporosis is a medical condition in which bone becomes thin or weak. When a woman reaches menopause stage, ovaries stop making estrogen, a female hormone responsible for bone health. Due to the deficiency of estrogen, inadequate bone formation occurs, resulting in the weakening of bones. The earlier a woman reaches to her menopause, the more the chances of osteoporosis. This condition can result in brittle or broken bones if prompt treatment is not given.

ZESTABOLIN 50MG INJECTION contains ‘Nandrolone’ which is a steroid used to prevent bone loss. It works by inhibiting bone resorption (breaking down of bone tissue) and promote bone formation. It can effectively delay bone loss.

The common side-effects of ZESTABOLIN 50MG INJECTION are fluid retention in the tissues (swelling of the ankles or feet or increased blood pressure), masculinization (an increase in male characteristics in women) such as a change in voice, hoarseness, increase in body or facial hair or acne, increased libido (sexual desire), nausea and itching. It may also alter blood tests such as increased haemoglobin levels, changes in blood lipids (fats) and liver function tests. Inform your doctor if any of these side-effects persist or worsen.

Do not take ZESTABOLIN 50MG INJECTION if you are allergic to ‘Nandrolone’ or any ingredients such as Arachis oil or peanut oil and benzyl alcohol present in it. It should not be given in conditions such as breast cancer in women with hypercalcemia (high calcium levels in the body), diagnosed or suspected breast cancer in men, kidney diseases and diagnosed or suspected prostate cancer. It should not be used in pregnant or breastfeeding women.

ZESTABOLIN 50MG INJECTION contains 'nandrolone' which is an anabolic steroid. It can effectively treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, especially in women with a lean body or muscle mass. It works by inhibiting the breakdown of bone tissue and promoting bone formation. It also increases muscle mass in the body.

• Fluid retention in the tissues (swelling of the ankles or feet or increased blood pressure)
• Virilization (an increase in male characteristics in women) leading to change in voice, hoarseness, increase in body or facial hair or acne
• Breast enlargement
• Increased libido (sexual desire)
• Nausea
• Itching
• Liver anatomy changes
• Abnormal blood tests such as increased haemoglobin levels, changes in blood lipids (fats), and liver function tests

ZESTABOLIN 50MG INJECTION may alter haemoglobin levels, so regular monitoring of patients should be required at least once in 3 months in the initial 12 months followed by once in a year till the completion of therapy. Elderly patients should be monitored for calcium levels and the presence of tumours. In patients with heart, kidney, liver diseases, epilepsy (fits), and migraine, there is a risk of oedema or fluid retention. In such cases, treatment should be discontinued immediately.

Drug-Drug Interaction: ZESTABOLIN 50MG INJECTION may enhance the action of anticoagulants. It may also interact with insulin or other oral medications used to treat diabetes and a medication used to treat anaemia (erythropoietin).

Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found.

Drug-Disease Interaction: ZESTABOLIN 50MG INJECTION is contraindicated in conditions such as breast cancer in women with hypercalcemia (high calcium levels in the body), diagnosed or suspected breast cancer in men, kidney diseases, porphyria (a group of liver disorders) and diagnosed or suspected prostate cancer.

• ERYTHROPOIETIN

• Include foods rich in calcium in your diet. Your doctor may also prescribe calcium and vitamin D supplements as calcium increases bone strength and vitamin D ensures absorption and calcium retention in bones.
• A post-menopausal woman should limit salt intake as it can pose a high risk of losing more bone minerals than other women of the same age.
• Rest well and get plenty of sleep.
• Quit smoking and avoid the consumption of alcohol.

• Anabolic steroids may also affect the results of some laboratory tests (e.g. thyroid gland). Therefore, you must tell your doctor or the laboratory staff performing the tests you are using ZESTABOLIN 50MG INJECTION.
• ZESTABOLIN 50MG INJECTION may improve glucose tolerance and decrease the need for insulin or other anti-diabetic drugs in diabetic patients. Your doctor may advice monitoring of blood sugars especially at the beginning or end of treatment and at periodic intervals during ZESTABOLIN 50MG INJECTION treatment.
• High doses of ZESTABOLIN 50MG INJECTION may enhance the anti-coagulant action of coumarin- type agents (warfarin, acenocumarol and phenprocoumon). Your doctor may advice close monitoring of prothrombin time and if necessary a dose reduction of the anti-coagulant is required during therapy.

Osteoporosis: It is a medical condition that causes thinning and weakening of the bones. It usually happens in women after menopause when there is decreased production of estrogen in the body. Estrogen is a female hormone responsible for bone health. Due to a lack of estrogen, the bone starts becoming weaker due to bone loss. The earlier a woman reaches the menopause stage, the greater the chances of osteoporosis. In starting days, osteoporosis does not show any symptoms.  However, if proper treatment is not provided, then it can even lead to broken bones. Initially, the bones don't hurt and breaks in the spine's bones may go unseen until they cause height loss.  In osteoporosis, bones can break even during daily activities like lifting or even from minor activities. Bones usually occur at the hip, spine or wrist which can even lead to stooped posture (dowager’s hump) and loss of movement.