Risk and Safety Disclosures
Testosterone Gel 1.62% CIII
Testosterone Gel 1.62% is a controlled substance, available by prescription, used to treat adult males who have low or no testosterone due to certain medical conditions.
It is not known if Testosterone Gel 1.62% is safe or effective to treat men who have low testosterone due to aging.
It is not known if Testosterone Gel 1.62% is safe or effective in children younger than 18 years old.
Testosterone Gel 1.62% is a controlled substance (CIII) because it contains testosterone that can be a target for people who abuse prescription medicines. Keep it in a safe place to protect it and never give it to anyone else. Selling or giving away this medicine may harm others and is against the law.
Testosterone Gel 1.62% is not meant for use in women.
Risks:
Testosterone Gel 1.62% can transfer from your body to others, including children and women. This can happen if other people come into contact with the area where the Testosterone Gel 1.62% was applied. Children and women should avoid contact with the unwashed or not covered (unclothed) areas where Testosterone Gel 1.62% has been applied to your skin.
Early signs and symptoms of puberty have occurred in young children who have come in direct contact with testosterone by touching areas where men have used Testosterone Gel 1.62%.
To lower the risk of transfer of Testosterone Gel 1.62% from your body to others, you should follow these important instructions:
Apply Testosterone Gel 1.62% only to your shoulders and upper arms that will be covered by a short-sleeve t-shirt.
Wash your hands right away with soap and water after applying Testosterone Gel 1.62%.
After the gel has dried, cover the application area with clothing. Keep the area covered until you have washed the application area well or have showered.
If you expect to have skin-to-skin contact with another person, first wash the application area well with soap and water.
If a child or woman touches the area where you have applied Testosterone Gel 1.62%, that area on the child or woman should be washed well with soap and water right away.
Stop using Testosterone Gel 1.62% and call your healthcare provider right away if you see any signs and symptoms of puberty in a child, or changes in body hair or increased acne in a woman, that may have happened through accidental touching of the area where you have applied Testosterone Gel 1.62%.
Contraindications:
Do not use Testosterone Gel 1.62% if you:
Have breast cancer or have or might have prostate cancer.
Are pregnant. Testosterone Gel 1.62% may harm your unborn baby. Women who are pregnant should avoid contact with the area of skin where Testosterone Gel 1.62% has been applied.
Before using Testosterone Gel 1.62%, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you have breast cancer; prostate cancer; urinary problems due to enlarged prostate; heart, kidney, or liver problems; or problems breathing while you sleep (sleep apnea).
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take insulin, medicines that decrease blood clotting (blood thinners), or corticosteroids.
Side Effects:
Testosterone Gel 1.62% can cause serious side effects, including:
If you already have an enlargement of your prostate gland, your signs and symptoms can get worse while using Testosterone Gel 1.62% (including changes in urination).
Possible increased risk of prostate cancer.
Blood clots in the legs or lungs. Signs and symptoms of a blood clot in your leg can include leg pain, swelling, or redness. Signs and symptoms of a blood clot in your lungs can include difficulty breathing or chest pain.
Possible increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
In large doses, Testosterone Gel 1.62% may lower your sperm count.
Swelling of your ankles, feet, or body, with or without heart failure. This may cause serious problems for people who have heart, kidney, or liver disease.
Enlarged or painful breasts.
Having problems breathing while you sleep (sleep apnea).
The most common side effects of Testosterone Gel 1.62% include increased prostate specific antigen (a test used to screen for prostate cancer), mood swings, high blood pressure, increased red blood cell count, and skin irritation where the gel is applied.