Testosterone topical application route

Testosterone Gel: Indications, Side Effects, Warnings

You will need frequent blood tests and your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements. This medicine may cause fluid retention (edema) in some patients. Tell your doctor right away if you have bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet, tingling of the hands or feet, or unusual weight gain or loss.

Your doctor can diagnose hypogonadism through a combination of physical examination and a series of blood tests. Your doctor will test the levels of testosterone in your blood at two or three separate times. These tests should be given in the morning at least one day apart from one another. A normal testosterone level for an adult male is between 300 ng/dL and 800 ng/dL. Consistently lower levels may indicate a problem with your body’s ability to make testosterone. Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. There are multiple forms of topical testosterone available.

Testosterone gel 1.62% is used to treat adult males who have low or no testosterone due to certain medical conditions. Alternatively, testosterone gel 1.62% can be applied directly to the application sites from the pump. Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Never give your testosterone gel 1.62% to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms you have. Selling or giving away this medicine may harm others and is against the law. When testosterone gel 1.62% treatment is discontinued, serum testosterone concentrations return to approximately baseline concentrations within 48 to 72 hours after administration of the last dose. The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of testosterone gel 1%. Because the reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure (Table 4). The dose can be adjusted between a minimum of 20.25 mg of testosterone (1 pump actuation) and a maximum of 81 mg of testosterone (4 pump actuations).

Alcohol based products, including testosterone gel 1.62%, are flammable; therefore, patients should be advised to avoid fire, flame or smoking until the testosterone gel 1.62% has dried. Gynecomastia may develop and persist in patients being treated with androgens, including testosterone gel 1.62%, for hypogonadism. Increases in hematocrit, reflective of increases in red what’s rpr blood test cell mass, may require lowering or discontinuation of testosterone. It would also be appropriate to re-evaluate the hematocrit 3 to 6 months after starting treatment, and then annually. If hematocrit becomes elevated, stop therapy until hematocrit decreases to an acceptable concentration. An increase in red blood cell mass may increase the risk of thromboembolic events.

Make sure your doctor knows if your sexual partner is pregnant. If a pregnancy occurs while you are using this medicine, tell your doctor right away. It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to see if the medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for any problems or unwanted effects. Ask your care team if changes in diet or medications are needed if you have diabetes. Talk to your care team if you wish to become pregnant or think you might be pregnant.

Do not apply testosterone gel 1.62% to any other parts of the body, including the abdomen, genitals, chest, armpits (axillae), or knees [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY (12.3)]. Area of application should be limited to the area that will be covered by the patient’s short sleeve t-shirt. Patients should be instructed to use the palm of the hand to apply testosterone gel 1.62% and spread across the maximum surface area as directed in Table 2 (for pump) and in Figure 1. Possible side effects include acne, hair growth on the face and body, male-pattern hair loss, and oily skin. Excessive doses of testosterone can result in irreversible side effects such as enlargement of the clitoris and lowering of the voice.

If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and follow the original schedule. Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific topical testosterone products they stock. While less common, the most serious side effects of topical testosterone are described below, along with what to do if they happen. Some of these side effects may vary based on the topical testosterone product you are using.

The safety and effectiveness of testosterone gel 1.62% in pediatric patients less than 18 years old has not been established. Improper use may result in acceleration of bone age and premature closure of epiphyses. The concurrent use of testosterone with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) or corticosteroids may result in increased fluid retention and requires careful monitoring particularly in patients with cardiac, renal or hepatic disease.