 Both patients and the treating surgeons will be blinded with regard to placebo vs. treatment until completion of the study. All patients will be treated surgically with a long trochanteric femoral nail TFN. Blood transfusion criteria will remain consistent with hospital standards Hb8 gdL or symptomatic anemia as determined by an independent, blinded medical team who will follow the patient throughout the hospital stay. Total number of blood transfusions received will be documented upon patient discharge. 