TESTOSTERONE

Testosterone received U.S. FDA approval in 1953. It is classified as an androgen. This medicine is used for male hormone replacement therapy in adult males with testosterone deficiency or absence (hypogonadism).

Testosterone is used in treating Primary hypogonadism (testicular failure) Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (Problem in the pituitary gland or hypothalamus) in adult male.

Testosterone is available as tablet, injection and gel form, which can be consumed orally, intramuscularly and topically. It is available as 40mg, 50mg and 1gm strengths. Your physician will decide the correct dosage and duration based on age, body weight, and disease condition.

The common side effects that are experienced while you are on the treatment with Testosterone are worsening of hypertension (increased blood pressure), redness, rash acne, headache, pain at the injection site, Increased in Prostatic Specific Agent (PSA), Increased RBC and Hemoglobin level.

Men with prostate and breast cancer (a rare disorder) should be cautious before taking the medicine because it is contraindicated for them. Patients with heart disorders and high blood pressure should inform their doctor prior to the medication. It is not recommended for women, especially those who are pregnant, because it may cause virilization (development of male hormone) to the female fetus when administered. The Safety and efficacy of the drug in pediatric males and adult males with age-related hypogonadism is not established.

Inform your doctor if you have a risk for blood clots or a family history of blood clotting in a vein, already existing blood clots, smoking habits, obesity, or cancer. Consult your doctor if you have painful swelling of one leg or sudden color change of the skin, sudden cough with blood, sudden chest pain, severe dizziness, severe pain in your stomach, or sudden loss of vision; all these might be the symptoms of a blood clot.

Inform your doctor if you experience frequent penile erections, any changes in skin colour, ankle swelling, unexplained nausea or vomiting, any breathing abnormalities including those during sleep, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, ischaemic heart disease (a condition affecting blood supply to the heart), epilepsy, migraines, or sleep-related breathing difficulties. Your doctor will monitor your blood pressure, red blood cell count, haemoglobin levels, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which helps detect prostate disease. Inform your doctor if you are taking diabetes medications, blood thinners, corticosteroids, pain relief medicines, or cold medicines.

Antares Pharma, Inc. US Food and Drug administration, [Revised on Sep 2018], [Accessed on April 2023], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/209863s000lbl.pdf KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Androgens and drugs for erectile dysfunction, 7th edition, 2013, 296-300.