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