TREATMENT OF SEVERE WEIGHT LOSS WITH METHANDROSTENOLONE—A LESS VIRILIZING ANABOLIC AGENT

Forty-seven mentally disturbed, severely underweight female patients, ranging in age from 15 to 86 years, were treated for an average of 45.55 days with the anabolic agent, methandrostenolone. All patients showed an increase in weight for a group average of 7.81 pounds. The most adequate dosage consisted of 5 mg. tablets administered b.i.d. One young adolescent patient, 15 years of age, developed a slight acne, some hirsutism and menorrhagia. Three patients (6.3%) became amenorrheic. Five patients (10.6%) had reduced menses. There were no changes in pulse or blood pressure. In this series there were no voice changes or jaundice. The gain in weight, improvement in feeling of well-being and increased appetite engendered an improved psychological attitude and a greater interest in daily activities.