Testosterone (Absorbed through the skin)

Introduction:

Testosterone (tes-TOS-ter-one)

Raises the amount of testosterone in your body when your body does not make enough natural testosterone. Testosterone is a male hormone.

Brand Name(s):

Androderm

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to testosterone, or if you have breast cancer or prostate cancer. A woman should never use this medicine, especially if she might be pregnant. You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to anything that may be in the skin patch, such as alcohol or aluminum.

How to Use This Medicine:

Patch

  • All Types of Patches:
    • Your doctor will tell you how many patches to use, where to apply them, and how often to apply them. Do not use more patches or apply them more often than your doctor tells you to.
    • This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
    • It is best to apply the patch at the same time every day.
    • Wash your hands with soap and water before and after applying a patch.
    • Leave the patch in its sealed wrapper until you are ready to put it on. Tear the wrapper open carefully. NEVER CUT the wrapper or the patch with scissors. Do not use any patch that has been cut by accident.
    • Bathing or swimming should not affect the patch. However, heavy exercise and sweating may cause the patch to fall off.
    • If a patch comes off, just put it back on the same spot. If the patch will not stick and you have been wearing it for fewer than 12 hours, put on a new patch. Then stay on your regular schedule and replace it with a fresh patch at your next regular time. If you have already been wearing the patch for more than 12 hours, do not put on a new patch. Wait to put on a new patch at your next regular time. Do not use extra patches to make up for the one that came off.
  • Androderm® Skin Patch:
    • Apply Androderm® Skin Patch to a place on your skin only. Do not apply the Androderm® Skin Patch to your scrotum or genital area. Your body may absorb too much medicine if you apply the patch to your scrotum. If you do not understand, ask your doctor to explain.
    • The patient instructions will show the body areas where you can wear the patch. When putting on each new patch, choose a different place within these areas. Do not put the new patch on the same place you wore the last one. Be sure to remove the old patch before applying a new one.
    • Do not apply the Androderm® Skin Patch over a bony area (such as your shoulder). Do not apply the patch to an area that might be under pressure for a long time (such as the back of your leg when you are sitting).
    • Apply the patch to clean, dry skin that has very little hair or no hair. Do not put the patch over burns, cuts, or irritated skin. Avoid putting the patch on oily or sweaty skin.
    • Apply the Androderm® Skin Patch at night.

If a dose is missed:

  • If you forget to wear or change a patch, put one on as soon as you can if it has been fewer than 12 hours since you were supposed to put on a patch. If it is almost time to put on your next patch, wait until then to apply a new patch and skip the one you missed. Do not apply extra patches to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

  • Store the patches at room temperature in a closed container, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
  • Fold the used patch in half with the sticky sides together. Throw any used patch away so that children or pets cannot get to it. You will also need to throw away old patches after the expiration date has passed.
  • Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®), oxyphenbutazone (Tandearil®), insulin, propranolol (Inderal®), or a steroid medicine (such as methylprednisolone, prednisone, or Medrol®).
  • Do not apply any type of ointment product on your skin before you put on the patch.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

  • All types of patches:
    • The medicine may cause birth defects if a pregnant woman comes in contact with the patch or medicine. Tell your doctor if your sexual partner is pregnant. If a pregnancy occurs while you are using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.
    • Make sure your doctor knows if you have heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, prostate problems, sleep apnea (a sleep disorder), lung disease, or diabetes.
    • If a woman comes in contact with this medicine or the patch, wash the skin area right away with soap and water to remove all the medicine. If the patch sticks to a woman, remove the patch right away and wash her skin thoroughly with soap and water.
    • Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments. It is best if you have all of your blood tests done at the same laboratory.
  • Androderm® Skin Patch:
    • If your female partner starts to have male-like changes, tell your doctor. Some changes might be unusual hair growth or increased acne. Talk with your doctor if your partner is pregnant.
    • You may have mild, burn-like skin blisters, redness, itching, or swelling where the Androderm® Skin Patch is placed. Talk to your doctor about ways to prevent or treat these problems.
    • The Androderm® Skin Patch contains aluminum. The aluminum may cause skin burns at the patch site if you have a procedure called a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan while you are wearing the patch. You must remove the patch before your MRI to prevent skin burns.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

  • All Types of Patches:
    • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
    • Breathing problems during sleep.
    • Change in how much or how often you urinate.
    • Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
    • Erections that happen too often or last too long.
    • Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain in your upper stomach.
    • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.
  • Androderm® Skin Patch:
    • Red or black stools.
    • Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
    • Severe skin blisters, redness, swelling, or burning where the patch is applied.
    • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

  • All Types of Patches:
    • Acne.
    • Headache or dizziness.
    • Swollen breasts.
  • Androderm® Skin Patch:
    • Body pain or pelvic pain.
    • Depression, anxiety, or confusion.
    • Increased appetite.
    • Mild skin itching or redness where the patch is placed.
    • Problems having sex.
    • Tiredness.
    • Unusual increase in growth.
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