Testosterone is a naturally occurring sex hormone that is produced in a man's testicles.
Small amounts of testosterone are also produced in a woman's ovaries and adrenal system.
Testosterone injection is used in men and boys to treat conditions caused by a lack of this
hormone, such as delayed puberty, impotence, or other hormonal imbalances. Testosterone
injection is also used in women to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
Testosterone injection may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking testosterone injection?
You should not receive this medication if you have:
prostate cancer;
male breast cancer;
if you are pregnant; or
if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a hormone
treatment.
Before receiving testosterone injection, tell your doctor if you are
allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH);
any type of cancer;
high cholesterol;
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
liver or kidney disease; or
heart disease, coronary artery disease (hardened arteries),
congestive heart failure, or a history of heart attack.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely use testosterone injection.
FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects.
Do not
receive
testosterone injection if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you
become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are
receiving this medication.
It is not known whether testosterone injection passes into breast milk or if it could
harm a nursing baby. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take testosterone injection?
Testosterone injection is given as an shot into a muscle of your buttocks. Your doctor,
nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. Testosterone injection is usually
given every 2 to 4 weeks.
The number of months you need to use testosterone injection will depend on the condition
being treated.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on
a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Testosterone injection can affect bone growth in boys who are treated for delayed
puberty. Bone development may need to be checked with x-rays every 6 months during
treatment.
What happens if I miss a dose of testosterone injection?
Call your doctor if you miss an appointment for your testosterone injection.
Where can I get more information about testosterone injection?
Your pharmacist has information about testosterone injection written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of testosterone injection?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
swelling, rapid weight gain;
increased or ongoing erection of the penis;
bone pain, increased thirst, memory problems, restless
feeling, confusion, nausea, loss of appetite, increased urination, weakness, muscle twitching; or
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, and
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Women receiving testosterone injection may develop male
characteristics, which could be irreversible if testosterone treatment is continued. Call your
doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of these signs of excess testosterone:
acne;
changes in your menstrual periods;
male-pattern hair growth (such as on the chin or chest);
male pattern baldness;
enlarged clitoris; or
increase or decrease in sex drive.
Less serious side effects may include:
breast swelling in men;
headache, anxiety, depressed mood;
numbness or tingly feeling; or
pain or swelling where the medicine was injected.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about testosterone injection?
This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby if it is used by a woman
during pregnancy.
Do not receive testosterone injection if you are pregnant.
Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant
during treatment.
Do not receive this medication if you have prostate cancer, male breast cancer, if you
are pregnant, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a hormone treatment.
Before receiving testosterone injection, tell your doctor if you have benign prostatic
hypertrophy (BPH), a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, high cholesterol, any type of cancer,
liver or kidney disease, or heart disease, coronary artery disease, or a history of heart attack.
What should I avoid while taking testosterone injection?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity
while you are using testosterone injection.
What other drugs will affect testosterone injection?
Before receiving testosterone injection, tell your doctor if you are using any of the
following drugs:
the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin);
insulin or diabetes medication you take by mouth such as
glimepiride (Amaryl, Duetact, Avandaryl), glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase,
Glynase), metformin (Actoplus Met, Avandamet, Fortamet, Glucophage Janumet), rosiglitazone
(Avandia), and others; or
steroid medicine such as methylprednisolone
(Depo-Medrol, Medrol, Solu-Medrol), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone, others), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with testosterone injection. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by
other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of testosterone injection?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009