AIDS: Oxandrolone, an oral drug that promotes weight gain in people experiencing weight loss, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for patients with HIV. Oxandrolone's effectiveness in HIV-related weight loss is unknown. The drug is a man-made anabolic steroid. Several small studies have shown encouraging results for HIV-related weight loss when doses two to eight times the recommended dosage were used. Daily doses ranging from 20 to 80 mg appear to be needed for treating HIV-associated wasting syndrome. A host of side effects usually associated with anabolic steroids are not seen as frequently with oxandrolone, including liver toxicity. More information can be obtained by contacting the Project Inform Hotline.