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