Testosterone Topical

Testosterone topical products may cause harmful effects to people who touch your skin in the area where you applied the gel or solution. Women and children are especially likely to be affected if they touch skin that has been covered with testosterone topical products. If a woman who is pregnant, may become pregnant, or is breastfeeding touches skin that has been covered with testosterone topical products, her baby may be harmed. Women should not use this medication, especially if they are or may become pregnant or are breastfeeding. Testosterone may harm the baby.

You must take precautions to be sure that others will not come into contact with testosterone gel or solution that is on your skin. After you apply testosterone gel or solution, you should allow the medication to dry for a few minutes and then put on clothing that completely covers the area so that no one will touch your bare skin. When you have finished applying the medication, you must wash your hands with soap and water to remove any medication that may be left on your hands.

Do not let anyone touch your skin in the area where you applied testosterone gel or solution. If you expect that you may have skin-to-skin contact with another person, you should wash the area very well with soap and water. If anyone touches skin that has been covered with testosterone gel or solution and has not been washed, that person should wash his or her skin with soap and water as soon as possible. You should also tell others to be careful when handling your clothing, bed linens, or other items that may have testosterone gel or solution on them.

If women or children touch skin that has been treated with testosterone products, they may develop certain symptoms. If a woman who may have come into contact with testosterone develops either of the following symptoms, she should call her doctor immediately: growth of hair in new places on the body or acne. If a child who may have come into contact with testosterone develops any of the following system, you should call the child’s doctor immediately: enlarged genitals, growth of pubic hair, increased erections, increased sexual desire, or aggressive behavior. Most of these symptoms can be expected to go away after the child stops coming into contact with testosterone, but in some cases, genitals may remain larger than normal.

Testosterone topical may cause the bones to mature more quickly than normal in children who come into contact with the medication. This means that the children may stop growing sooner than expected and may have a shorter than expected adult height. Even if these children no longer come into contact with testosterone topical products, their bones may remain more mature than normal.

🔔 Why is this medication prescribed?

Testosterone topical is used to treat the symptoms of low testosterone in adult men who have hypogonadism (a condition in which the body does not produce enough natural testosterone). Testosterone is used only for men with low testosterone levels caused by certain medical conditions, including disorders of the testicles, pituitary gland (a small gland in the brain), or hypothalamus (a part of the brain) that cause hypogonadism. Your doctor will order certain tests to check your testosterone levels to see if they are low before you begin to use testosterone topical. Testosterone should not be used to treat the symptoms of low testosterone in men who have low testosterone due to aging (‘age related hypogonadism’). Testosterone is in a class of medications called androgenic hormones. Testosterone is a hormone produced by the body that contributes to the growth, development, and functioning of the male sexual organs and typical male characteristics. Testosterone topical works by replacing the testosterone that is normally produced by the body.

🔔 How should this medicine be used?

Topical testosterone comes as a gel and solution to apply to the skin. It is usually applied once a day. It is best to apply testosterone gel or solution in the morning. To help you remember to apply testosterone topical, apply it at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use testosterone topical exactly as directed. Do not apply more or less of it or apply it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Testosterone topical products are manufactured differently and are used in slightly different ways. Be sure that you know which topical brand you are using and how and where you should apply it. Read the manufacturer’s patient information that came with your topical testosterone product carefully.

If you usually take a bath or shower in the morning, be sure to take your bath or shower before you apply testosterone topical products. Read the manufacturer’s patient information about your topical testosterone product for information about when you can wash, shower, bath, or swim after you apply the medication.

You should not apply any testosterone topical products to your penis or scrotum or to skin that has sores, cuts, or irritation.

Be careful not to get testosterone topical in your eyes. If you do get testosterone topical in your eyes, wash them right away with warm, clean water. Call a doctor if your eyes become irritated.

Testosterone topical comes in single use tubes, packets, and a multiple-use pump. The pump releases a specific amount of testosterone each time the top is pressed. Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how many times to press the pump for each dose, and how many doses your pump contains. Dispose of the pump after you have used that number of doses even if it is not empty.

Testosterone gel and solution may catch fire. Stay away from open flames and do not smoke while you are applying testosterone topical and until the gel or solution has dried completely.

Your doctor may adjust your dose of testosterone depending on the amount of testosterone in your blood during your treatment.

Testosterone topical may control your symptoms but will not cure your condition. Continue to use testosterone topical even if you feel well. Do not stop using testosterone topical without talking to your doctor. If you stop using testosterone topical, your symptoms may return.

To use testosterone topical products, follow these steps:

1. Be sure that the skin in the place where you plan to apply testosterone topical is clean and completely dry.
2. Open your testosterone topical container. If you are using a packet, fold the top edge at the perforation and tear across the packet along the perforation. If you are using a tube, unscrew the cap. If you are using an Androgel ® or Volgelxo ® pump for the first time, press down on the top of the pump three times. If you are using a Fortesta ® pump for the first time, press down on the top of the pump eight times. Always discard the extra medication that comes out after priming the pump down a drain or in a trash can that is safe from children and pets.
3. Squeeze the packet or tube or press down on the top of the pump the right number of times to place the medication on the palm of your hand. It may be easier to apply testosterone gel if you squeeze the medication onto your palm and apply it to your skin in small portions.
4. Apply the medication to the area you have chosen.
5. Dispose of the empty packet or tube in a trash can safely, out of the reach of children and pets.
6. Wash your hands with soap and water right away.
7. Allow the medication to dry for a few minutes before you cover the area with clothing.