testosterone - transdermal, Androderm

BRAND NAME(S): Androderm

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

USES: This medicated patch contains testosterone. It is used for hormone replacement in men who are not able to produce enough testosterone (e.g., hypogonadism). This medication is absorbed through the skin, enters your bloodstream, and helps your body reach normal testosterone levels.Testosterone helps the body to produce sperm and to develop and maintain the male sexual characteristics (masculinity), such as a deep voice and body hair. It also helps to maintain muscle and prevent bone loss, and is necessary for natural sexual ability/desire.This drug should not be used by women.

HOW TO USE: Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using testosterone and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.There are many testosterone products available for use on the skin. They may have different amounts of testosterone and may not have the same effects. Read the dosing instructions carefully for each product. Do not change products without asking your doctor or pharmacist.Apply to a dry, clean area of skin on the back, abdomen, upper arms, or thighs. Do not apply the patch to skin that has been treated with a topical ointment because doing so may decrease the amount of testosterone that your body will absorb.The patch site must not be oily or irritated. Do not place on the scrotum or on bony areas such as the shoulders or hips.To use the patch, remove the protective backing to expose the sticky surface. Immediately place the patch with the sticky side down on clean, dry skin, usually once nightly or as directed by your doctor. Wear the patch for 24 hours, then replace it with a new patch. Be sure to apply the patches to a different area each day. Wait 7 days before applying a patch to the same area of skin.The patch may be worn during sex. Wait at least 3 hours after application before showering, swimming, or other contact with water. Heavy exercise or sweating may loosen the patch or make it fall off. If the patch comes loose, press around the edges of the patch to secure it in place. If the patch falls off, see Missed Dose section.To discard a patch, fold it so the adhesive side is on the inside. Place the folded patch in the pouch from which the new patch is taken and discard it in the trash.Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each night.Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

SIDE EFFECTS: Itching, irritation, or discomfort at the application site may occur during the first few days as your body adjusts to the patch. Other side effects may include acne, headache, hair loss, anxiety, or a change in sexual desire. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: breast pain/enlargement, swelling of the feet/ankles (edema), weight gain, very slow/shallow/difficult breathing (possibly while sleeping), unusual weakness.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: trouble urinating, mental/mood changes (e.g., depression, agitation, hostility), change in size/shape of the testicles, testicle pain/tenderness, stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, yellowing of eyes/skin, change in the amount of urine, calf tenderness/swelling/pain.In the very unlikely event you have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 or more hours, stop using this drug and seek immediate medical attention, or permanent problems could occur.Rarely, burn-like reactions under the patch may occur. This is most likely to happen if the patch is placed on bony areas of the body (see How to Use section for proper application sites). Permanent scarring may occur, so tell your doctor immediately if this type of reaction occurs while you are using this patch.If you have diabetes, especially if you are using insulin, testosterone may decrease your blood sugar. Be prepared to treat low blood sugar while you are using this medication. Symptoms of low blood sugar include shakiness, nervousness, rapid pulse, and sweating. If you are experiencing these symptoms, consult your doctor. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medications.Female partners of men using this medication have a slight chance of developing changes in hair location, an increase in acne, and other signs of the effects of testosterone. If your female partner develops any of these symptoms, tell both of your doctors.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

PRECAUTIONS: Before using testosterone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as soy), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: male breast cancer, prostate cancer.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver problems, prostate problems (e.g., enlarged prostate or BPH), heart problems, kidney problems, diabetes, high cholesterol level, difficulty breathing during sleep (apnea), high blood pressure, bone cancer.If you are going to have an MRI test, tell testing personnel that you are using this patch. Some patches may contain metals that can cause serious burns during an MRI. Ask your doctor whether you will need to remove your patch before the test and apply a new patch afterward, and how to do so properly.Extreme caution is advised if using this drug in children because it might stunt the growth of the child. Monitor the child's growth rate carefully.Elderly men may be at greater risk for developing an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer while using this drug. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.This medication should not be used by women (see Side Effects section for a list of effects that may occur if a woman is exposed to testosterone.) Also, testosterone can cause harm to an unborn or breast-feeding baby.

QUESTION

Testosterone is a chemical found only in men. See Answer

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: beta blockers (e.g., propranolol), "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), oxyphenbutazone.This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including thyroid function tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this drug.This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

OVERDOSE: This medication patch may be harmful if chewed or swallowed. If overdose or swallowing is suspected, remove the patch if possible, and contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of an overdose may include weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, vision problems, or confusion.

NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. It is against the law.Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., PSA, cholesterol, hemoglobin, hematocrit, testosterone blood levels, prostate exams) should be performed from time to time to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another problem unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in those cases.Inform all your doctors that you are using or have used this medication.

MISSED DOSE: If the patch falls off, or if you miss a dose, apply a new patch right away. If it is after noon the next day and you remember that you missed a dose, or if your patch fell off, do not apply a new patch, but instead resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE: Store patches in their protective pouches at room temperature away from heat, light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Properly discard used patches to protect others from exposure to this drug. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed (See How to Use section).

Information last revised March 2013. Copyright(c) 2013 First Databank, Inc.