ANDROGEL ® is a testosterone drug
THERAPEUTIC GROUP: Androgens
IndicationsAction mechanismStudies and clinical effectiveness Usage and dosage instructionsWarnings Pregnancy and lactationInteractionsContraindicationsUndesirable effects
Indications ANDROGEL ® - Testosterone
ANDROGEL ® is a testosterone-based gel useful in the treatment of symptoms associated with diseases characterized by endogenous deficiency of this hormone.
Mechanism of action ANDROGEL ® - Testosterone
ANDROGEL ® is a testosterone-based gel that significantly reduces the invasiveness of parenteral administration of this hormone, making therapy easier.
Applied on the skin surface, it guarantees a percutaneous absorption that reaches up to 14% of the total dose applied, determining an increase in serum concentrations of this hormone already after an hour, with a kinetic profile that follows the physiological one.
In this way exogenous testosterone can replace endogenous deficiencies, rebalancing the concert of symptoms complained of in such conditions.
In fact, in addition to the improvement of the classic symptomatology characterized by impotence and decreased sexual desire, testosterone together with its metabolites such as DHT, allows to increase the levels of protein synthesis, to improve the bone turnover, favoring the processes of neodeposition, to induce hematopoiesis and at the same time inhibit pituitary gonadotropin secretion.
This last property, in some cases used in male hormonal contraception, represents one of the most important side effects linked to the abuse of androgen hormones for doping purposes.
Studies carried out and clinical efficacy
1. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ANDROGEL IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
The use of testosterone in gel, for the treatment of male hypogonadism, has been particularly successful among US patients, simplifying the way they are taken and optimizing the effectiveness of the treatment. However, one of the most important limits is the high risk of testosterone transfer, which can fortunately be avoided with small hygienic standards.
2. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TREATMENT WITH ANDROGEL IN HIV-AFFECTED PATIENTS
Study demonstrating that topical testosterone intake can provide better control of the endogenous levels of this hormone, significantly improving the quality of life in HIV-infected patients. The results obtained are significantly better than those described with parenteral administration of testosterone.
3. ANDROGEL AND ERECTILE DEFECTION
Work that shows how the addition of testosterone in gel to the normal therapy for impotence (sinedafil) can significantly increase erectile capacity. This therapy could be important for patients suffering from heart disease, for whom the use of sinedafil could be dangerous.
Method of use and dosage
ANDROGEL ®
Gel in 5g sachets containing 50mg of testosterone:
the gel contained in the sachets should be applied once a day, preferably in the morning on the intact skin of the shoulders, arms or abdomen, so as to reproduce the normal testosteronic peak present in nature.
The precise definition of the dosage and the period of therapy must be carefully evaluated by your doctor following the therapeutic needs and the value of some hematological parameters.
Warnings ANDROGEL ® - Testosterone
The assumption of testosterone, even when carried out in the form of creams or gels, must necessarily be preceded by a careful medical examination useful to exclude the presence of conditions predisposing to the possible development of adverse reactions, dangerous for the health of the patient.
In particular, the presence of hypertension, epilepsy, cardiovascular, hepatic, renal and metabolic diseases could make the application of ANDROGEL ® dangerous, suggesting to the doctor the need to establish a series of periodic checks necessary to define the psycho-physical health status of the patient, preventing the appearance of serious side effects.
The presence of suspicious episodes should immediately alarm the doctor, who should consider the need to suspend therapy.
The patient must also resort to adequate hygiene and behavioral rules, useful for avoiding the transfer of testosterone, by direct skin contact or with clothing, to family members or the like.
The use in prepubera age should instead take place with particular attention, given the possible deleterious effects on bone growth and on the too rapid development of the male genital organs.
PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING
Several studies show that the intake of male hormones during pregnancy can induce virilization of the fetus, seriously compromising the reproductive capacity of the unborn child.
In light of these works it is easy to understand the various reasons why taking ANDROGEL ® is contraindicated during pregnancy and the subsequent breastfeeding period.
Interactions
Exogenous testosterone intake, including percutaneous use, could increase the risk of pharmacologically relevant interactions in patients receiving:
- Oral anticoagulants, exposed to a greater risk of bleeding;
- Oral hypoglycemic agents, potentially exposed to the increased risk of hypoglycemia;
- Cortisonics, responsible for the increased hydro-saline retention with edema and hypertension.
It is useful to remember that testosterone intake could offset some laboratory parameters indicative of thyroid, renal, adrenal and hepatic function.
Contraindications ANDROGEL ® - Testosterone
Testosterone intake is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to one of its excipients, breast cancer, estrogen-dependent neoplasms, cancer and prostatic hypertrophy, history of hepatocarcinoma, hypercalcaemia, nephrotic syndrome, pregnancy and breastfeeding.
The patch should not be applied to non-intact skin or to skin areas under high pressure.
Undesirable effects - Side effects
The topical application of ANDROGEL ® probably also given the high alcohol content of the product, could determine the appearance of skin reactions such as erythema, acne and various types of lesions.
Other reactions related to the systemic effects of this hormone could be added to the above reactions, essentially linked to the way the product is applied.
More precisely, the increased risk of prostatic hypertrophy and prostate cancer, weight gain and water retention, hypertension and cardiovascular complications, hypercholesterolemia, acne, hirsutism, changes in liver function, oligozoospermia, alopecia, gynecomastia, vertiigini, hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria and non-specific myalgia represent the main systemic side effects related to androgen therapy.
Note
ANDROGEL ® can be sold only under medical prescription.
ANDROGEL ® is an anabolic agent, therefore its use, outside of medical prescriptions on pathological bases, is prohibited in the race and out of the race.
