androgel prescription
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 prescription.
• 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 prescription.
What is AndroGel?
• Testosterone is a naturally occurring "male" sex hormone necessaryfor many processes in the body androgel prescription.
• AndroGel is used to treat men for conditions that result from a lackof natural testosterone androgel prescription.
• AndroGel may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide androgel prescription.
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 prescription. Testosteronemay worsen some cancers of these types androgel prescription.
• 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 prescription.
• 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 prescription.
• AndroGel is not approved for use by women and must not be used by women androgel prescription. AndroGel is in the FDA pregnancy category X androgel prescription. This means that AndroGel is knownto cause birth defects in an unborn baby androgel prescription. Pregnant women should avoid skin contactwith the AndroGel application site in men androgel prescription. 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 prescription.
• Men over 65 years of age that use AndroGel may be at increased risk forthe development of prostatic enlargement or cancer androgel prescription. You may not be able to usetopical testosterone, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring androgel prescription.
How should I use AndroGel?
• Use AndroGel exactly as directed by your doctor androgel prescription. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you androgel prescription.
• To use testosterone topical scrotal patches:
· Testoderm patches should be applied to clean, dry scrotal skin androgel prescription. Thescrotal hair should be dry-shaved before a patch is applied androgel prescription. Do not use chemicalhair removers to remove scrotal hair androgel prescription.
· Each patch should be worn for 22 to 24 hours androgel prescription.
· Apply a new patch every 24 hours androgel prescription.
· Scrotal patches should be removed during bathing, showering, or swimmingand may be reapplied following these activities androgel prescription. Patch removal is optional duringintercourse androgel prescription.
· If a Testoderm patch falls off, try to reapply it androgel prescription. 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 prescription.
• 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 prescription. Testoderm TTS patches can be applied to the arms , back,or upper buttocks androgel prescription. 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 prescription. Apply the patch toskin that is not oily, damaged, or irritated androgel prescription. For Androderm patches, the siteof application should be different, with a 7 day period between applicationsto the same site androgel prescription.
· Androderm and Testoderm TTS patches should be worn for 24 hours androgel prescription. Androdermpatches should be applied at the same time each evening androgel prescription. Testoderm TTS patchesshould be applied at the same time daily, either during the day or night androgel prescription.
· It usually is not necessary to remove patches of this type during sexualintercourse or when showering or bathing androgel prescription.
· If an Androderm patch falls off, try to reapply it androgel prescription. 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 prescription. Ifa Testoderm TTS patch falls off, try to reapply it androgel prescription. 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 prescription.
• 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 prescription. The AndroGel can also be appliedto the abdomen androgel prescription. Do not apply Testim gel to the abdomen androgel prescription. After opening a pouch,squeeze the entire contents into the palm of your hand and immediately applyit to the application site androgel prescription. Allow the gel to dry for a few minutes before dressing androgel prescription. Wash your hands with soap and water after the gel has been applied androgel prescription.
· Cover the application site with clothing after the gel has dried toprevent transfer of testosterone to another person androgel prescription. If direct skin-to-skin contactwith another person is anticipated, the application site must be washed thoroughlywith soap and water before that encounter androgel prescription. 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 prescription.
· Wait at least 5 or 6 hours after application of AndroGel, or 2 hoursafter application of Testim, before showering or swimming androgel prescription. 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 prescription.
· Do not apply the gel to the scrotum or genitals or to skin that hasopen sores, wounds, or irritation androgel prescription.
• 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 prescription.
• It is important to use AndroGel regularly to get the most benefit androgel prescription.
• Dispose of all used patches and aluminum foil packets properly, out ofthe reach of children and pets androgel prescription.
• Store AndroGel at room temperature away from moisture and heat androgel prescription. Patchesshould not be stored outside the pouch provided androgel prescription. Damaged patches should notbe used androgel prescription.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Apply the next patch or gel packet as soon as you remember androgel prescription. Do not usetwo doses simultaneously, unless otherwise directed by your doctor androgel prescription.
What happens if I overdose?
• An overdose of AndroGel is unlikely to occur and is not likely to threatenlife androgel prescription. 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 prescription.
What should I avoid while using AndroGel?
• Avoid transfer of AndroGel gel to another person androgel prescription. Wash your hands afterapplication of the gel and cover the application site with clothing after thegel has dried androgel prescription. 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 prescription. If another person accidentally contacts the gel or treated area,the exposed individual should wash with soap and water androgel prescription.
• Wait at least 5 or 6 hours after application of AndroGel before showeringor swimming androgel prescription. However, showering or swimming 1 hour after application shouldhave a minimal effect on the amount of testosterone absorbed if done infrequently androgel prescription.
• 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 prescription. Scrotal testosterone patches should be removed during bathing, showering,or swimming and may be reapplied following these activities androgel prescription. Removal of a scrotalpatch is optional during intercourse androgel prescription.
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 prescription.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur androgel prescription. 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 prescription.
• 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 prescription.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur androgel prescription. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome androgel prescription.
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 prescription.
• 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 prescription.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with AndroGel androgel prescription. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products androgel prescription.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about AndroGel written forhealth professionals that you may read androgel prescription.
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