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