Description
Active Life: 21 days
Drug Class: Anabolic/Androgenic Steroid (for injection)
Average Dose: 250-1000 mg/week (males only)
Acne: Yes
Water Retention: Yes
High Blood Pressure: Yes
Liver Toxic: Low
Aromatization: Yes
DHT Conversion: Yes, high
Decrease HPTA function: Yes, severe
Detection time: Approx. 21 days
What is testosterone?
Testosterone is a sex hormone that is produced in male testicles. Testosterone is also produced in small amounts in woman’s ovaries and adrenal system.Testosterone 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. It is also used in women to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
Important information about testosterone
This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby if it is used by a woman during pregnancy. Do not receive testosterone if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Do not receive testosterone 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 this medication, 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.
Before receiving testosterone
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, 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. Testosterone can cause birth defects. Do not receive testosterone 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 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 is testosterone given?
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. This medication 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?
Call your doctor if you miss an appointment for your testosterone injection.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine. An overdose of this medication is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.
What should I avoid while receiving testosterone?
Follow your doctor’s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using testosterone injection.
Testosterone side effects
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 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 testosterone 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 other drugs will affect testosterone?
Before receiving testosterone, 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.
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to receive testosterone, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment. There may be other drugs not listed that can affect testosterone. 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.
Where can I get more information?
Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about testosterone injection. What does my medication look like? Testosterone injection is available with a prescription under many different brand names. Generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.