About 90% of a dose of testosterone given intramuscularly is excreted in the urine as glucuronic acid and sulfuric acid conjugates of testosterone and its metabolites. Circulating testosterone is primarily bound in the serum to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin. AndroGel 1.62% delivers physiologic amounts of testosterone, producing circulating testosterone concentrations that approximate normal levels (300 â€" 1000 ng/dL) seen in healthy men. Endogenous androgens, including testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), are responsible for the normal growth and development of the male sex organs and for maintenance of secondary sex characteristics. This subject had serum testosterone concentrations of up to 11,400 ng/dL, which were implicated in a cerebrovascular accident. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you. The most common side effects of topical testosterone are listed below. Topical testosterone may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider. Common side effects include skin reactions where the medicine is applied, changes in certain lab test results, headache, high blood pressure, and mood swings. You should consult your health care professional before taking any drug, changing your diet, or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. Apply the medication as directed to clean, dry skin of the shoulders/upper arms as directed by your doctor, usually once daily in the morning. You may pump this medication into the palm of your hand or directly onto the desired application site. The mean steady-state DHT/T ratio during 180 days of AndroGel treatment remained within normal limits and ranged from 0.23 to 0.29 (5 g/day) and from 0.27 to 0.33 (10 g/day). The average (± SD) daily testosterone concentration produced by AndroGel 10 g on Day 30 was 792 (± 294) ng/dL and by AndroGel 5 g 566 (± 262) ng/dL. Figure 1 summarizes the 24-hour pharmacokinetic profiles of testosterone for hypogonadal men (less than 300 ng/dL) maintained on 5 g or 10 g of AndroGel for 30 days. The skin serves as a reservoir for the sustained release of testosterone into the systemic circulation. If this medication accidentally gets into your eyes, rinse the eyes right away with clean, warm water. If a woman or child makes contact with the application area, that area on the woman or child should be washed well with soap and water right away. Before using testosterone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. I was curious as to anyones experience with the gel and if there is any reason to push for injectable testosterone instead? Your healthcare professional has prescribed AndroGel to meet your specific needs; never share your AndroGel with anyone. Patients treated with testosterone may be at an increased risk for prostate enlargement, and prostate cancer. Skin irritation where gel is applied, breast development or tenderness, acne, prostate enlargement, changes in lab test results and changes in urinary habits. If you like, you may squeeze a portion of the gel from the packet into the palm of your hand and apply to application site(s). Topical testosterone can cause changes in your lipid (fat) levels in your blood, including cholesterol. Tell your health care provider if you have this symptom or it is a concern for you. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage. Included five patients with enlarged prostate, one with BPH, and one with elevated PSA results. Edema with or without congestive heart failure may be a serious complication in patients with preexisting cardiac, renal, or hepatic disease see Adverse Reactions (6.2). Withdrawal of the drugs did not lead to regression of the tumors in all cases. Due to lack of controlled evaluations in women and potential virilizing effects, AndroGel is not indicated for use in women see Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3).
