Androgel
Androgel is for external use only. It should be applied on arms and shoulder once a day, preferably at the same time every day. It should be used as your doctor’s advice. You should use this medicine for as long as it is prescribed for you. Do not use the gel too often and avoid applying it over the genital area.
Androgel
Basic Information
Important information about this medicine
About This Medicine
General information about this product
Androgel is a medicine used in the treatment of male hypogonadism caused due to low testosterone levels. It is only prescribed to men with known medical conditions. It helps in restoring the level of testosterone in the male body.
Androgel is for external use only. It should be applied on arms and shoulder once a day, preferably at the same time every day. It should be used as your doctor’s advice. You should use this medicine for as long as it is prescribed for you. Do not use the gel too often and avoid applying it over the genital area.
The most common side effects of this medicine include acne and application site reactions (burning, irritation, itching, and redness). If these bother you or appear serious, let your doctor know. There may be ways of reducing or preventing them. Some side effects may mean you should stop taking this medicine shortness of breath, frequent or persistent erections, and low sperm count.
Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have ever had high blood pressure, heart attack, or stroke. Your doctor should also know about all other medicines you are taking as many of these may make this medicine less effective or change the way it works. Your doctor might perform regular blood tests to keep track of testosterone, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels.
03Uses
Treatment of Male hypogonadism
04How To Use
This medicine is for external use only. Use it in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Check the label for directions before use. Clean and dry the affected area and apply the gel. Wash your hands after applying, unless hands are the affected area.
05How It Works
Androgel is similar to the natural male hormone, testosterone. It works by replenishing the deficient testosterone levels in adult men. Lack of testosterone may cause various health problems including impotence, infertility, low sex drive, tiredness, depressive mood and bone loss.
06Benefits
In Treatment of Male hypogonadism
Male hypogonadism is a condition in which the body does not produce enough testosterone (male sex hormone). Androgel injections help improve the level of testosterone in your body. This helps in maintaining better sex life, improve overall physical appearance, gives good mood and boost overall confidence. Androgel also helps in muscle building and development of bones. This treatment has few side effects so it is advisable to always take the injection under a doctor’s supervision only. You should continue taking it as long as it is prescribed even if you feel better.
07Side Effects
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Breast enlargement in male
Voice change
Acne
Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)
08Safety Information
Alcohol:
No interaction found/established
Pregnancy:UNSAFE
Androgel is highly unsafe to use during pregnancy. Seek your doctor’s advice as studies on pregnant women and animals have shown significant harmful effects to the developing baby.
Breast feeding:UNSAFE
Androgel is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby.Androgel is not indicated for use in women.
Driving:
No interaction found/established
Kidney:
No interaction found/established
Liver:
No interaction found/established
09Drug Tips
You have been prescribed Androgel for the treatment of low testosterone levels.
It should be applied once a day, preferably in the morning.
Apply it as a thin layer onto clean, dry, healthy, unbroken skin over the shoulders or upper arms.
Cover the application area after it’s dry, otherwise it can rub off on people.
Do not apply the gel to the genitals as this may cause irritation.
Your doctor may get your blood tests done regularly to monitor red blood cells, liver function, testosterone, and prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels while taking Androgel.
Inform your doctor if you experience symptoms such as frequent or persistent erections, irritability, nervousness or weight gain after starting treatment with this medicine.
Your doctor will administer this injection into a muscle or skin.
Your doctor may monitor you for 30 minutes after your shot to make sure you do not develop breathing problems or get a severe allergic reaction due to the medicine.
References
Sources and references
Snyder PJ. Androgens. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1195-206.
Masters SB. Hypothalmic & Pituitary Hormones. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 719-22.
Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 1335-37.
Drugs.com. Testosterone. view
Testosterone buccal system.Milan, Italy: Mipharm S.p.A; 1953 . view
Testosterone. Malvern, Pennsylvania: Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; 2009. view
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation . view
