You should not use this medicine if you have prostate cancer or male breast cancer.
Topical testosterone is absorbed through the skin and can cause side effects or symptoms of male features in a child or woman who comes into contact with this medicine. Call your doctor if a person who has close contact with you develops enlarged genitals, premature pubic hair, increased libido, aggressive behavior, male-pattern baldness, excessive body hair growth, increased acne, irregular menstrual periods, or any signs of male characteristics.
Testosterone can harm an unborn baby. A pregnant woman should avoid coming into contact with this medicine, or with a man's skin where the medicine has been applied.
Misuse of testosterone can cause dangerous or irreversible effects. Never use more than your prescribed dose. Do not share this medicine with another person.
Testosterone is a naturally occurring male hormone necessary for many processes in the body.
Testosterone topical (for the skin) is used to treat conditions in men that result from a lack of natural testosterone.
Testosterone will not enhance athletic performance and should not be used for that purpose.
Testosterone topical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to testosterone patches or gels, or if you have;
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
The testosterone transdermal patch may burn your skin if you wear the patch during an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Remove the patch before undergoing such a test.
Using testosterone may increase your risk of developing prostate cancer. Ask your doctor about this risk.
Testosterone can lower your sperm count and may affect fertility (your ability to have children).
This medicine should not be used by a woman. Testosterone may harm an unborn baby. A pregnant woman should avoid coming into contact with testosterone topical patches or gels, or with a man's skin areas where a patch has been worn or the gel has been applied. If contact does occur, wash with soap and water right away.
Do not use testosterone topical on anyone younger than 18 years old.
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Never use testosterone topical in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed.
Misuse of testosterone can cause dangerous or irreversible effects, such as enlarged breasts, small testicles, infertility, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, liver disease, bone growth problems, addiction, and mental effects such as aggression and violence.
Do not share this medicine with another person.
Different brands of testosterone topical have different instructions for use. Not every brand of this medicine is used on the same skin areas. Some brands are applied to the shoulder, upper arm, or stomach. Other brands are applied to the thighs or to the underarms. Carefully follow the patient instructions provided with your medicine.
Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.
Do not apply testosterone topical to your penis or scrotum. Some brands of this medicine should also not be applied to the back, chest, or stomach areas. Apply this medicine only to the skin areas recommended for your specific brand of testosterone topical.
Wash your hands with soap and water before and after applying testosterone transdermal.
Apply testosterone gel to dry skin after showering or bathing. Allow the medicine to dry for at least 5 minutes before you dress.
Testosterone gel is flammable. Do not use near high heat or open flame. Do not smoke until the gel has completely dried on your skin.
Cover treated skin areas with clothing to keep from getting this medicine on other people. If someone else does come into contact with a treated skin area, they must wash the contact area right away with soap and water.
Keep each skin patch in the foil pouch until you are ready to use it. Do not use a skin patch that has been cut or damaged.
Apply the transdermal skin patch to a flat, clean, dry, and undamaged area of skin on your back, stomach, upper arm, or thigh. Wear the patch for 24 hours and then replace it with a new patch. Choose a different skin area each time you put on a new patch. Do not use the same skin area twice in a 7-day period.
You may need frequent blood tests.
Store at room temperature. Do not freeze. Keep track of your medicine. You should be aware if anyone is using it improperly or without a prescription.
After removing a skin patch, fold it closed with the sticky side in, and throw it away. Place used patches and empty testosterone tubes in a trash container that pets and children cannot get to.
Apply the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not apply two doses at one time.
If a skin patch falls off in the morning, reapply it. If it does not stick well, apply a new patch. If the patch falls off in the afternoon and cannot be reapplied, wait until your regular patch replacement time in the evening before putting on a new patch.
Do not apply this medicine to your penis or your scrotum.
Avoid swimming, bathing, or showering for at least 2 hours after applying testosterone gel. Follow the directions provided with your specific brand.
Avoid using lotions, oils, or other skin products on the area where you will apply the skin patch. The patch may not stick properly to the skin.
Avoid using an ointment form of any steroid skin medicine your doctor recommends to treat skin irritation caused by wearing a testosterone skin patch. This includes over-the-counter hydrocortisone.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using testosterone topical and call your doctor at once if you have:
Topical testosterone is absorbed through the skin and can cause side effects or symptoms of male features in a child or woman who comes into contact with this medicine. Call your doctor if a person who has close contact with you develops enlarged genitals, premature pubic hair, increased libido, aggressive behavior, male-pattern baldness, excessive body hair growth, increased acne, irregular menstrual periods, or any signs of male characteristics.
Common side effects may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:
This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect testosterone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2021 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 17.01. Revision date: 3/5/2021.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
Follow Us
Disclaimer
Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Group Universal Life (GUL) insurance plans are insured by CGLIC. Life (other than GUL), accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and disability plans are insured or administered by Life Insurance Company of North America, except in NY, where insured plans are offered by Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York (New York, NY). All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.
Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details