Deca DurabolinDosage recommended by Doctor: Once a month for 3 months.

How does it work?Deca Durabolin injection contains the active ingredient nandrolone decanoate, which is a type of medicine called an anabolic steroid.

Anabolic steroids have the same properties as the natural hormone testosterone. They are believed to increase the production of protein by the body and to enhance muscle development. Nandrolone also causes masculinisation in men who are deficient in natural male hormones, however in men with no testosterone deficiency, it actually reduces sperm production.

Nandrolone injection is licensed to treat osteoporosis in women who have passed the menopause, however, this is no longer a recommended treatment for osteoporosis.

In osteoporosis there is loss of bone tissue, resulting in bones that are brittle and liable to fracture. Nandrolone works by influencing the metabolism of calcium (an important constituent of bone and teeth) and thereby increasing bone mass in women suffering from osteoporosis. This makes the bones stronger and less likely to break.

Deca Durabolin injection contains nandrolone decanoate in a peanut oil (arachis oil) base, which releases the active ingredient slowly over a period of up to three weeks. This is known as a "depot" injection. The injection is given into a muscle (usually the buttock) every three weeks.

What is it used for? Osteoporosis in women who have passed the menopause Insufficient production of red and white blood cells by the bone marrow (aplastic

anaemia)

Warning! Women having treatment with this medicine may develop adult male characteristics such

as hoarseness, increased hair growth, acne and increased sex drive. This is most likely to happen with high doses, prolonged treatment or too frequent administration. Discontinuation of the treatment should be considered if this happens.

NATZOLDDosage recommended by Doctor: Once a year.

How does it work? NATZOLD infusion contains the active ingredient zoledronic acid, which is a type of medicine called a bisphosphonate. Bisphosphonates are medicines that reduce the turnover of bone.

Bone is not a static structure. It is continually shaped, reformed and rebuilt by cells called osteoblasts and osteoclasts. These cells continously deposit and remove calcium and phophorous, stored in a protein network that makes up the structure of the bone. Old bone is broken down by the osteoclasts and new bone is formed by the osteoblasts.

Biphosphonates work by binding very tightly to the bone tissue and preventing the calcium being removed by the osteoclasts. This stops the osteoclasts from breaking down the bone.

Cancers involving the bone, for example breast or prostate cancer that has spread to the bone, or bone marrow cancer (multiple myeloma), can cause excessive bone breakdown. This causes areas of bone weakness that can lead to bone pain and fractures. Zoledronic acid can be used in these situations to bind to the bone and prevent it being broken down.

Zoledronic acid also has some anti-cancer effect on the cancerous cells in the bone, which helps reduce the growth of the cancer in the bones. This can help prevent the cancer from pressing on nerves, particularly in the spine, and reduce the need for surgery or radiotherapy on the bones.

When the osteoclasts remove calcium from the bones, the calcium then seeps into the blood. The excessive breakdown of bone that occurs when cancer spreads to the bones can therefore lead to high levels of calcium in the blood. This can cause symptoms such as nausea, tiredness and confusion. As zoledronic acid prevents the calcium being removed from the bone, it can be used to treat high levels of calcium in the blood that are a result of cancer.

As the medicine slows bone turnover and so prevents calcium being reabsorbed from the bones into the blood, it can cause the amount of calcium in your blood to fall too low. Your doctor may therefore ask you to take calcium and vitamin D supplements to prevent this. (Vitamin D is needed by the body to help it absorb calcium.)

What is it used for? Preventing bone complications (such as fractures, bone complications requiring

radiotherapy or surgery, compression of nerves in the spine, or high blood calcium levels) in people with advanced cancer involving the bones, for example breast cancer or prostate cancer that has spread to the bones, or bone marrow cancer (multiple myeloma).

Reducing high levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcaemia) caused by tumors.

How is it given? NATZOLD infusion is given via a drip into a vein (intravenous infusion) over at least 15

minutes. For preventing bone complications of cancer, the drip is given every three to four weeks. NATZOLD infusion is given as a single dose to lower high blood calcium levels that are

the result of tumours.

Warning! You will need to have regular blood tests while you are having treatment with this

medicine, in order to check your kidney function and the level of calcium and other minerals in your blood. This is particularly important if you have any existing problems with your kidneys, or you are also taking diuretic medicines or other medicines that can affect the kidneys.

It is important that you drink enough fluid both before and after your infusion to prevent dehydration. However, it is important to follow your doctors instructions regarding this, particularly if you have a heart condition or are at risk of heart failure. If you are unable to take fluids by mouth your doctor may need to give you a drip to rehydrate you.

The class of medicines that zoledronic acid belongs to (bisphosphonates) has been associated with a rare condition called osteonecrosis of the jaw. The majority of cases of this condition have been in cancer patients treated with bisphosphonates by injection into a vein, and many of these people were also having treatment with chemotherapy or corticosteroids. The risk may also be increased by poor oral hygiene, dental problems such as gum disease or poorly fitting dentures, teeth extractions, oral surgery and smoking. For this reason, you should have a dental examination and, if necessary, appropriate preventive dentistry, before you start treatment with this medicine. Discuss this with your doctor. It is important to look after your mouth and teeth as much as possible while you are having treatment with this medicine. You should have regular check-ups with your dentist and get advice straight away if you have any problems with your mouth or teeth. When you see a dentist during treatment, make sure they know you are having this medicine. Invasive dental procedures such as tooth extraction or surgery should be avoided if possible.

Some people being treated with bisphosphonates (mainly people having long-term treatment for osteoporosis) have experienced an unusual fracture of their thigh bone. For this reason it is important to let your doctor know if you get any pain in your thighs, hips or groin while you are having treatment with this medicine. These symptoms could be an early indication of a possible fracture.

Use with caution in Elderly people. Decreased kidney function. Dehydration.

Not to be used in

People who are allergic to other bisphosphonate medicines. People with a low level of calcium in their blood (hypocalcaemia). People with severely decreased kidney function. Pregnancy. Breastfeeding. This medicine is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.

If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been established. It should not be used during pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. It should not be given to women who are breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Common (affect between 1 in 10 and 1 in 100 people)

High temperature (fever). Flu-like symptoms. Headache. Anaemia. Inflammation of the membrane lining the eye (conjunctivitis). Loss of appetite. Feeling sick and vomiting. Bone pain. Pain in the muscles or joints. Muscle cramps. Decreased kidney function. Low blood calcium or phosphate level (hypocalcaemia or hypophosphataemia).