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