Micromedex Detailed Drug Information for the Consumer [Internet]. Truven Health Analytics; 1974-2016.
Testosterone (Intramuscular route)
tes-TOS-ter-oneBrand Name(s)
In the US: Aveed, Delatestryl, Depo-Testosterone, Testone CIK, Testro AQ
Dosage forms
Suspension Oil Solution InjectableClassifications
Therapeutic: Endocrine-Metabolic Agent; Pharmacologic: Androgen
Warning
Intramuscular route (Solution)
Testosterone undecanoate is available only through a restricted program called the Aveed(R) REMS Program due to the risk of serious pulmonary oil microembolism (POME) reactions (urge to cough, dyspnea, throat tightening, chest pain, dizziness, syncope) and potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis. These reactions have occurred during or immediately after administration and may occur at any time during the course of therapy, including after the first dose. Monitor patients in a healthcare setting for 30 minutes after each injection .
Uses of This Medicine
Testosterone injection is used for the treatment of men whose bodies do not make enough natural testosterone, a condition called hypogonadism. Testosterone is a male hormone responsible for the growth and development of the male sex organs and maintenance of secondary sex characteristics.
Testosterone injection is also used in women with breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).
Testosterone injection is also used to stimulate delayed puberty in male teenagers.
This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor. The Aveed® brand is only available under a restricted distribution program called the Aveed® REMS program.
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category Explanation All Trimesters X Studies in animals or pregnant women have demonstrated positive evidence of fetal abnormalities. This drug should not be used in women who are or may become pregnant because the risk clearly outweighs any possible benefit.Breast Feeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Anisindione Bupropion Dasabuvir Dicumarol Paclitaxel Paclitaxel Protein-Bound Phenprocoumon WarfarinUsing this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
LicoriceOther Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Allergy to benzyl benzoate or refined castor oil or Breast cancer (males) or Prostate cancer, known or suspected—Aveed® and Delatestryl® should not be used in patients with these conditions. Blood clotting problems (eg, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism) or Coronary artery disease or Diabetes or Drug abuse or dependence, or history of or Enlarged prostate or Heart attack, or history of or Hypercalcemia (high calcium in the blood) or Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol or fats in the blood) or Liver problems or Problems in passing urine or Sleep apnea (breathing problem)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse. Blood disorder (eg, polycythemia)—May increase risk for thromboembolic diseases. Heart disease or Kidney disease or Liver disease—Use with caution. Testosterone may cause edema (fluid retention) in patients with these conditions. Heart disease, severe or Kidney disease, severe or Liver disease, severe—Depo®-Testosterone should not be used in patients with these conditions.Proper Use of This Medicine
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in the hospital or a clinic. This medicine is given as a shot into your muscle (usually in the buttocks). This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. Make sure you keep all of your appointments.
This medicine comes with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
This medicine should not be used by women who are pregnant or might become pregnant. Testosterone may cause birth defects if a pregnant woman comes in contact with the medicine. Make sure your doctor knows if your sexual partner is pregnant. If a pregnancy occurs while you are using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.
This medicine may cause a serious lung problem called pulmonary oil microembolism (POME). Tell your doctor right away if you have a cough or urge to cough, dizziness, fainting, trouble breathing, sweating, tightening of your throat, or chest pain.
This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after you receive the medicine.
This medicine may increase the risk of prostate cancer, especially in older men. Make sure your doctor knows if you have prostate cancer, or if anyone in your family has prostate cancer.
This medicine may cause blood clotting problems. Tell your doctor right away if you have pain, redness, or swelling in the arm or leg, shortness of breath, sharp pains in the chest, or trouble breathing.
In some cases, this medicine may decrease the amount of sperm men make and affect their ability to have children. Talk with your doctor before you use this medicine if you plan to have children.
Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.
This medicine may cause swelling of the breasts (gynecomastia) and breast pain in some patients. If you have questions about this, talk to your doctor.
Depo®-Testosterone contains benzyl alcohol which may cause serious reactions to newborn, premature, or low-birthweight infants. Check with your doctor if you are concerned.
This medicine may cause changes in the level of cholesterol and fats in your blood. If this condition occurs, your doctor may give you a medicine to adjust the cholesterol and fats. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence not known
Abdominal or stomach pain arm, back, or jaw pain black, tarry stools bleeding from the gums or nose blood in the urine or stools chest pain or discomfort confusion cough or urge to cough decrease in amount of urine difficulty breathing difficulty swallowing dizziness fainting fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse frequent urination headache inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles nausea noisy, rattling breathing pain in the chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves pain or discomfort in arms, jaw, back, or neck pain, redness, or swelling in the arm or leg pinpoint red spots on the skin puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue ringing in the ears severe, sudden headache skin rash, hives, itching slurred speech sudden loss of coordination sudden, severe weakness or numbness in the arm or leg sweating swelling of the fingers, hands, feet, or lower legs tightening of your throat unusual bleeding or bruising unusual tiredness or weakness vision changes vomiting weight gainSome side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Acne or pimplesLess common
Attack, assault, or force changes in mood irritability not able to ejaculate semen pain or redness at the injection site trouble sleeping weight gainIncidence not known
Continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears decreased interest in sexual intercourse hair loss or thinning of the hair hearing loss inability to have or keep an erection increased in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance increased interest in sexual intercourse loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance more erections than usual or erections that last a long time swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and malesOther side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.