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What is testosterone injection?
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.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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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.

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How is testosterone injection 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. 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.

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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.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Call your doctor if you miss an appointment for your testosterone injection.

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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.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Testosterone has been assigned to pregnancy category X by the FDA. Androgen use, particularly during the first trimester of pregnancy, causes virilization of the external genitalia of the female fetus. Reversible oligospermia may occur after prolonged androgen administration or excessive dosage. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Testosterone use is considered contraindicated during pregnancy.

If reversible oligospermia occurs, the androgen can be discontinued and if restarted, a lower dosage should be utilized.

There are no data on the excretion of testosterone into human milk. Because many drugs are excreted into human milk and because of the potential for adverse effects on the nursing infant, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Men with breast cancer or known or suspected prostate cancer.
• Known hypersensitivity to testosterone, testosterone cypionate, testosterone enanthate, or any ingredient in the formulation.
• Some manufacturers state that testosterone is contraindicated in patients with serious cardiac, renal, or hepatic disease.
• Manufacturers of testosterone cypionate and testosterone enanthate injections (preparations indicated for the treatment of breast cancer) state that androgens are contraindicated in women who are or may become pregnant. Manufacturers of buccal and topical testosterone preparations state that these preparations should not be used in women.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine. An overdose of testosterone injection is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving 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.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
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