androgel for women
testosterone topical (patches and gel) (tess TOSS ter own TAH pih cal)
Androderm, AndroGel, Testim, Testoderm
What is the most important information I should know about AndroGel?
• Notify your doctor if you experience nausea; vomiting; swelling of theankles; changes in skin color; too frequent or prolonged erections; breathingdisturbances, including those associated with sleep; or yellowing of the skinor eyes androgel for women.
• Notify your doctor if a female partner experiences male-pattern baldness,excessive body hair growth, an increase in acne, menstrual irregularities, orsigns of masculinity androgel for women.
What is AndroGel?
• Testosterone is a naturally occurring "male" sex hormone necessaryfor many processes in the body androgel for women.
• AndroGel is used to treat men for conditions that result from a lackof natural testosterone androgel for women.
• AndroGel may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide androgel for women.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using AndroGel?
• Do not use AndroGel if you have cancer of the breast or prostate androgel for women. Testosteronemay worsen some cancers of these types androgel for women.
• Before using AndroGel, tell your doctor if you have
· diabetes;
· sleep apnea or if you have risk factors for sleep apnea (e.g., obesity,chronic lung disease);
· heart disease; or
· liver disease or kidney disease androgel for women.
• You may not be able to use AndroGel, or you may need a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring if you have any of the conditions listed above androgel for women.
• AndroGel is not approved for use by women and must not be used by women androgel for women. AndroGel is in the FDA pregnancy category X androgel for women. This means that AndroGel is knownto cause birth defects in an unborn baby androgel for women. Pregnant women should avoid skin contactwith the AndroGel application site in men androgel for women. If unwashed or unclothed skin towhich AndroGel has been applied comes in contact with the skin of a pregnantwoman, wash the general area of contact on the woman with soap and water assoon as possible androgel for women.
• Men over 65 years of age that use AndroGel may be at increased risk forthe development of prostatic enlargement or cancer androgel for women. You may not be able to usetopical testosterone, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring androgel for women.
How should I use AndroGel?
• Use AndroGel exactly as directed by your doctor androgel for women. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you androgel for women.
• To use testosterone topical scrotal patches:
· Testoderm patches should be applied to clean, dry scrotal skin androgel for women. Thescrotal hair should be dry-shaved before a patch is applied androgel for women. Do not use chemicalhair removers to remove scrotal hair androgel for women.
· Each patch should be worn for 22 to 24 hours androgel for women.
· Apply a new patch every 24 hours androgel for women.
· Scrotal patches should be removed during bathing, showering, or swimmingand may be reapplied following these activities androgel for women. Patch removal is optional duringintercourse androgel for women.
· If a Testoderm patch falls off, try to reapply it androgel for women. If it comes offafter being worn for more than 12 hours and it cannot be reapplied, wait untilthe next scheduled application time to apply a new system androgel for women.
• To use testosterone topical patches (non-scrotal):
· Androderm patches can be applied to clean, dry skin on the back, abdomen,upper arms, or thighs androgel for women. Testoderm TTS patches can be applied to the arms , back,or upper buttocks androgel for women. Do not apply these patches to the scrotum, any bony partof the body (hip bone, outer thigh bone, shoulder bone), or to an area thatwill be under prolonged pressure during sleep or sitting androgel for women. Apply the patch toskin that is not oily, damaged, or irritated androgel for women. For Androderm patches, the siteof application should be different, with a 7 day period between applicationsto the same site androgel for women.
· Androderm and Testoderm TTS patches should be worn for 24 hours androgel for women. Androdermpatches should be applied at the same time each evening androgel for women. Testoderm TTS patchesshould be applied at the same time daily, either during the day or night androgel for women.
· It usually is not necessary to remove patches of this type during sexualintercourse or when showering or bathing androgel for women.
· If an Androderm patch falls off, try to reapply it androgel for women. If it cannot bereapplied and it is before noon, apply a new patch; if it is after noon, waituntil the evening and apply a new patch at the regularly scheduled time androgel for women. Ifa Testoderm TTS patch falls off, try to reapply it androgel for women. If it comes off after beingworn for more than 12 hours and it cannot be reapplied, wait until the nextscheduled application time to apply a new system androgel for women.
• To use the testosterone topical gel:
· Apply the gel once daily (preferably in the morning) to clean, dry,unbroken skin on the shoulders or upper arms androgel for women. The AndroGel can also be appliedto the abdomen androgel for women. Do not apply Testim gel to the abdomen androgel for women. After opening a pouch,squeeze the entire contents into the palm of your hand and immediately applyit to the application site androgel for women. Allow the gel to dry for a few minutes before dressing androgel for women. Wash your hands with soap and water after the gel has been applied androgel for women.
· Cover the application site with clothing after the gel has dried toprevent transfer of testosterone to another person androgel for women. If direct skin-to-skin contactwith another person is anticipated, the application site must be washed thoroughlywith soap and water before that encounter androgel for women. If there is accidental transfer oftestosterone to the skin of another person, wash the general area of contacton the other person with soap and water as soon as possible androgel for women.
· Wait at least 5 or 6 hours after application of AndroGel, or 2 hoursafter application of Testim, before showering or swimming androgel for women. However, showeringor swimming 1 hour after application of either testosterone topical productshould have a minimal effect on the amount of testosterone absorbed if doneinfrequently androgel for women.
· Do not apply the gel to the scrotum or genitals or to skin that hasopen sores, wounds, or irritation androgel for women.
• Your doctor may want to perform tests to monitor the amount of testosteronein the body, liver function, prostate function, or other factors during treatmentwith AndroGel androgel for women.
• It is important to use AndroGel regularly to get the most benefit androgel for women.
• Dispose of all used patches and aluminum foil packets properly, out ofthe reach of children and pets androgel for women.
• Store AndroGel at room temperature away from moisture and heat androgel for women. Patchesshould not be stored outside the pouch provided androgel for women. Damaged patches should notbe used androgel for women.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Apply the next patch or gel packet as soon as you remember androgel for women. Do not usetwo doses simultaneously, unless otherwise directed by your doctor androgel for women.
What happens if I overdose?
• An overdose of AndroGel is unlikely to occur and is not likely to threatenlife androgel for women. If you do suspect an overdose, or if a patch or the gel has been ingested,call an emergency room or poison control center for advice androgel for women.
What should I avoid while using AndroGel?
• Avoid transfer of AndroGel gel to another person androgel for women. Wash your hands afterapplication of the gel and cover the application site with clothing after thegel has dried androgel for women. If direct skin-to-skin contact with another person is anticipated,the application sites must be washed thoroughly with soap and water before thatencounter androgel for women. If another person accidentally contacts the gel or treated area,the exposed individual should wash with soap and water androgel for women.
• Wait at least 5 or 6 hours after application of AndroGel before showeringor swimming androgel for women. However, showering or swimming 1 hour after application shouldhave a minimal effect on the amount of testosterone absorbed if done infrequently androgel for women.
• Testosterone patches applied to the back, abdomen, upper arms, or thighsdo not usually need to be removed during sexual intercourse or when showeringor bathing androgel for women. Scrotal testosterone patches should be removed during bathing, showering,or swimming and may be reapplied following these activities androgel for women. Removal of a scrotalpatch is optional during intercourse androgel for women.
What are the possible side effects of AndroGel?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop usingAndroGel and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· nausea or vomiting;
· changes in skin color;
· swelling of the ankles;
· breathing disturbances, including those associated with sleep;
· too frequent or prolonged erections; or
· liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal painor discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, or severe fatigue) androgel for women.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur androgel for women. Continueto use AndroGel and talk to your doctor if you experience
· itching, discomfort, redness, or irritation at the patch applicationsite;
· emotional changes;
· increased blood pressure;
· decreased interest in sex;
· changes in blood cholesterol or number of red blood cells (detectedby blood tests);
· prostate changes or difficulty urinating;
· enlarged, swollen or tender breasts; or
· acne androgel for women.
• Notify your doctor if a female partner experiences male-pattern baldness,excessive body hair growth, an increase in acne, menstrual irregularities, orsigns of masculinity androgel for women.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur androgel for women. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome androgel for women.
What other drugs will affect AndroGel?
• Before using AndroGel, tell your doctor if you are taking any of thefollowing medicines:
· warfarin (Coumadin);
· insulin or an oral diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol),glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase), repaglinide (Prandin), rosiglitazone(Avandia), pioglitazone (Actos), and others;
· propranolol (Inderal, Inderal LA, others); or
· a corticosteroid such as hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone, Solu-Cortef),dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol others), methylprednisolone (Depo-Medrol,Medrol, Solu-Medrol), prednisolone (Prelone Pediapred), prednisone (Deltasone,Orasone, others), and others androgel for women.
• You may not be able to use AndroGel, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicineslisted above androgel for women.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with AndroGel androgel for women. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products androgel for women.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about AndroGel written forhealth professionals that you may read androgel for women.
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