Androgel

Information on Androgel

5gm Package
Chemical Name: TESTOSTERONE (tes-TOS-ter-one)

Common uses
This medicine is an androgen hormone used in men to provide testosterone when the body cannot produce enough.

Before using
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking anticoagulants (such as warfarin), beta-blockers (such as propranolol), insulin or other medicine for diabetes, carbamazepine, corticosteroids (such as prednisone), corticotropin (ACTH), or oxyphenbutazone. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including liver or kidney problems, enlarged prostate, fluid build-up, heart problems (such as congestive heart failure), chest pain, coronary artery disease, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, high blood calcium levels, high blood pressure, obesity, lung problems, trouble breathing during sleep (apnea), or allergies (especially to soy products). USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED in women. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED in men with cancer of the breast or prostate. Use of this medicine in children under age 18 is not recommended. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of giving this medicine to your child. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.

Directions
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. THIS MEDICINE COMES WITH a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. This medicine is applied once daily, usually in the morning, to clean, dry skin on the shoulders or upper arms. Some brands of this medicine may also be applied to the lower stomach (abdomen). Check your patient leaflet or ask your doctor or pharmacist if your brand may be used on the abdomen. DO NOT APPLY this medicine to the genitals or groin area, on broken or irritated skin, or on open sores. This medicine may come in a packet or in a pump bottle. IF YOU ARE USING PACKETS, open the medicine packet and squeeze either a portion or the entire contents of the packet into your hand and apply to the skin. If only a portion of the gel is squeezed from the packet at a time, repeat the application until the entire contents of the packet has been applied, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. IF YOU ARE USING THE PUMP BOTTLE, prime the pump the first time you use it by fully depressing the pump 3 times. Throw away any medicine that comes out during priming. Pump either a portion or the entire amount of medicine prescribed by your doctor into your hand and apply to the skin. If only a portion of the dose is applied at a time, repeat the application until the entire dose has been applied, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Allow several minutes for the medicine to dry before dressing. COVER ALL SITES of application with clothing to prevent transfer of this medicine to other persons. Wash your hands with soap and water immediately after using this medicine. Avoid showering or swimming for at least 5 to 6 hours after applying this medicine. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature, away from heat and light. Use this medicine regularly to receive the most benefit from it. Using this medicine at the same time each day will help you to remember. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT use 2 doses at once.

Cautions
DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or use this medicine for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including blood counts, prostate specific antigen (PSA), liver function, blood cholesterol, and blood testosterone levels may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY AFFECT CERTAIN LAB TEST RESULTS. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. PATIENTS WHO USE androgens (such as testosterone) may have an increased risk for prostate cancer. Check with your doctor if you have questions about your risk for prostate cancer while you use this medicine. This medicine may cause dizziness. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. THIS MEDICINE IS FLAMMABLE. Do not store or use near an open flame or while smoking. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. AVOID DIRECT CONTACT of treated skin with other people. IF UNWASHED OR UNCLOTHED TREATED SKIN comes into direct contact with the skin of another person, the other person should wash the general area of skin with soap and water as soon as possible. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if your female partner develops masculine signs such as unusual body hair growth or loss, significant increase in acne, or deepening voice. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN THE ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially enlarged prostate or prostate cancer. THIS MEDICINE HAS BEEN SHOWN TO CAUSE HARM TO THE HUMAN FETUS. PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD AVOID SKIN CONTACT with this medicine and with any unwashed or unclothed skin to which this medicine has been applied. If a pregnant woman should come into contact with this medicine or any unwashed or unclothed skin where the medicine has been applied, she should wash the general areas of contact with soap and water as soon as possible and contact her doctor. IF YOU HAVE DIABETES, this medicine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.

Possible side effects
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while you are using this medicine include acne, breast tenderness or enlargement, change in sex drive, and redness or irritation at the application site. If they continue or are bothersome, contact your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience change in the size or shape of the testicles; new or worsening trouble urinating (such as frequent urination, weak urine stream, or inability to urinate); dark urine; excessive daytime sleepiness; frequent, prolonged, or painful erections; memory problems; mood or mental changes (such as anxiety, depression, hostility); interrupted breathing while sleeping; loss of appetite; nausea; pale stools; skin discoloration; stomach pain; swelling of the ankles or legs; trouble sleeping or other sleep changes; unusual tiredness or weakness; vomiting; unexplained or unusual weight gain; or yellowing of the skin or eyes. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Drug interactions
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions

If you take too much
IF OVERDOSE IS SUSPECTED, wipe off gel. Contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include one-sided weakness, slurred speech, or blurred vision or other vision problems.

Additional information
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as any used packets, out of the reach of children. IF YOU WILL BE USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, be sure to obtain necessary refills before your supply runs out.

Selected data included with permission and copyrighted by Medi-Span, 2009. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a Licensed data provider and is not for distribution in professional healthcare settings.