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