|
General info
Testosterone is a naturally occurring hormone called an androgen. Testosterone is produced in the testes in men, and small amounts are produced by the ovaries and adrenal cortex in women. Testosterone is used in men and boys to treat conditions due to androgen deficiency, such as lack of natural testosterone, delayed puberty, and impotence.
Testosterone may be used by women to treat some types of cancer. Testosterone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
General precautions
• Do not use testosterone without first taking to your doctor if you have cancer of the prostate. Testosterone should also not be used by men with breast cancer.
• Do not use the brand of testosterone called Histerone if you have an allergy to mercury.
• Before using testosterone, tell your doctor if you have
• benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH),
• heart disease,
• high levels of cholesterol (a type of fat in the blood);
• liver disease, or
• kidney disease.
• You may not be able to use testosterone, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
• Testosterone is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that testosterone is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use testosterone if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
• It is not known whether testosterone passes into breast milk. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
• Before using testosterone, talk to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
• warfarin (Coumadin);
• insulin or another diabetes medicine such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase), repaglinide (Prandin), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and others; or
• a corticosteroid such as methylprednisolone (Depo-Medrol, Medrol, Solu-Medrol), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone, others), and others.
• You may not be able to use testosterone, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with testosterone. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
Common uses
• Use this medication exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Injectable forms of testosterone are intended for intramuscular (IM or "into the muscle") use. Your doctor or nurse will give you detailed instructions on how to use the injectable form of testosterone. Do not inject this medication if you are unsure how.
• It is important to use testosterone regularly to get the most benefit.
• Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with testosterone to monitor progress and side effects.
• Store testosterone at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Overdose
• An overdose of this medication is unlikely to threaten life. Consult an emergency room or poison control left for advice.
• Symptoms of a testosterone overdose are not known.
Side effects
• Contact your doctor immediately if you experience nausea, vomiting, swelling of the arms or legs, prolonged or painful erections, or yellowing of the skin or eyes. These may be early signs of serious side effects.
• If you are a woman using testosterone, notify your doctor if you experience hoarseness, deepening of the voice, male-pattern baldness, excessive hair growth, or menstrual irregularities.
• If you experience a rare but serious allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives), stop using testosterone and seek emergency medical attention.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use testosterone and talk to your doctor if you experience:
• hoarseness or deepening voice;
• acne;
• clitoral enlargement;
• increased or decreased sex drive;
• increased hair growth or male pattern baldness; or
• decreased sperm production (men).
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
|
