Highlights for cypionate testosterone
- There are two types of testosterone cypionate injectable solution: brand-name and generic. Depo-testosterone is a brand name.
- Testosterone cypionate is only available as an injectable solution that is injected into your muscle. After your doctor shows you how, you can administer this medication to yourself at home.
- Testosterone cypionate is used to treat hypogonadism symptoms in men. Males with this condition do not produce enough of the sex hormone testosterone.
Important cautions
- There haven't been any long-term studies to see if testosterone replacement therapy in men has a negative effect on heart health. Short-term studies, however, have shown that this drug may increase your risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or dying.
- Warning about liver problems: Long-term use of high doses of this drug may increase your risk of liver problems. Among these issues are liver cancer and hepatitis. These are serious conditions that can be fatal.
- Warning about blood clots: This medication may increase your risk of developing blood clots in your lungs or deep veins in your legs.
- Testosterone can be abused. There is an increased risk if you take the drug in higher doses than your doctor recommends or if you combine it with other anabolic steroids. Misuse of testosterone can result in serious health issues. Heart attacks, heart failure, depression, and psychosis are examples of these issues. More information about the dangers of testosterone abuse can be obtained from your doctor.
What is testosterone cypionate?
Testosterone cypionate is a controlled substance. It is administered as an injectable solution into the muscle. Testosterone cypionate is a drug that is self-injectable. You can administer this medication to yourself at home if your doctor instructs you on how to do so.
Depo-Testosterone is the brand name for testosterone cypionate. It is also available as a generic medication. Generic drugs are typically less expensive than brand-name drugs. They may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name drug in some cases.
Testosterone cypionate is a controlled substance. This means that it is governed by the government.
Why is it used?
Testosterone cypionate is used to treat hypogonadism symptoms in men. Males with this condition do not produce enough of the sex hormone testosterone.
Low testosterone levels in men can cause mood swings, poor concentration, erectile dysfunction (difficulty getting or maintaining an erection), and decreased sexual drive. It can also lead to decreased penis and testicular growth, gynecomastia (breast growth), loss of body hair and muscle mass, anemia, and osteoporosis.
Primary hypogonadism and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism are the two types of hypogonadism. This medication may be used to treat both conditions.
When the testicles do not produce enough testosterone, this is referred to as primary hypogonadism.
When parts of the brain (hypothalamus or pituitary gland) that tell the testicles to produce testosterone are damaged, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism develops.
How does it work?
Testosterone cypionate is an androgen, which is a type of drug. A drug class is a group of medications that work in the same way. These medications are frequently used to treat similar conditions.
Testosterone cypionate treats hypogonadism in men by replacing the testosterone that your body is unable to produce.
Side effects of testosterone cypionate
Although testosterone cypionate injectable solution does not cause drowsiness, it may cause other side effects.
Common side effects
The following are some of the more common testosterone cypionate side effects:
- Acne
- Pain and swelling at the injection site,
- Hair growth
- Gynecomastia (male enlargement) (breast enlargement)
- Increased frequency of erections
- Longer-lasting erections than normal mood swings
- Headache
- When the drug is taken in high doses, the sperm count drops.
If the side effects are minor, they should go away in a few days or weeks. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if they become more severe or do not go away.
Severe side effects
If you experience severe side effects, contact your doctor right away. If your symptoms appear to be life-threatening or if you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, dial 911. The following are examples of serious side effects and symptoms:
- A heart attack, symptoms:
- Chest pain is one of the symptoms
- Discomfort in your upper body
- Shortness of breath
- Stroke, symptoms:
- Weakness in one part or side of your body
- Slurred speech,
- confusion
- Enlargement of your prostate gland, symptoms:
- frequent or urgent need to urinate
- nocturia (need to urinate more often at night)
- trouble starting urination
- weak urine stream or a stream that stops and starts
- dribbling at the end of urination
- straining while urinating
- not being able to completely empty your bladder
- Prostate cancer. Your doctor should check for prostate cancer or any prostate problems before and during treatment with this drug, especially if you’re 65 years or older.
- Liver problems. Symptoms can include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach pain and swelling
- swelling in your legs and ankles
- bruising more easily than normal
- pale-colored stool
- unusual or unexplained tiredness
- loss of appetite
- dark-colored urine
- yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
- Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the deep veins of your legs). Symptoms can include:
- swelling of your leg
- pain in your leg
- Pulmonary embolism (blood clots in your lungs). Symptoms can include:
- shortness of breath
- chest pain or discomfort that gets worse when you take a deep breath or when you cough
- feeling lightheaded or dizzy, or fainting
- fast pulse
- coughing up blood
- Polycythemia (increase in your red blood cell count). Symptoms can include:
- reddening in your face
- headaches
- confusion
- stroke
- blood clots
- tiredness
- decrease in mental alertness
Other medications may interact with testosterone cypionate
Other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking may interact with testosterone cypionate injectable solution. When a substance alters the way a drug works, this is referred to as an interaction. This can be dangerous or prevent the drug from working properly.
To help avoid interactions, your doctor should carefully manage all of your medications. Make sure your doctor is aware of any medications, vitamins, or herbs you are taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
The following are some examples of drugs that can interact with testosterone cypionate:
Interactions that increase your chances of experiencing side effects
- Insulin and oral diabetes drugs, such as nateglinide, pioglitazone, repaglinide, rosiglitazone, metformin, glimepiride, glipizide, sitagliptin, saxagliptin, linagliptin, exenatide and liraglutide. Taking these drugs together may cause a significant decrease in your blood sugar levels. Your doctor may decrease the dosage of your diabetes drugs. You may need to monitor your blood sugar levels closely while taking these drugs together.
- Oral blood thinners, such as warfarin. Taking these drugs together may increase your risk of bleeding. Your doctor will monitor you closely if you take these drugs together.
- Corticosteroids and adrenocorticotropic hormone. Taking these drugs with testosterone cypionate puts you at a higher risk of edema (fluid build-up). Your doctor should monitor you closely for fluid build-up if you take these drugs together, especially if you have heart or liver problems.
Warnings about testosterone cypionate
This medication comes with a number of warnings.
Allergy alert
A severe allergic reaction to testosterone cypionate is possible. Among the symptoms are:
- Breathing difficulties,
- Swelling of the throat or tongue
If you experience any of these symptoms, contact the nearest emergency facility.
If you've ever had an allergic reaction to this medication, don't take it again. It could be fatal if you take it again (cause death).
Warnings for people who have certain medical conditions
For people with liver problems: This medication can cause liver damage. This may lead to serious liver disease. If you have liver disease, this drug may also cause salt and water retention. This may make your liver disease worse.
For those who have heart disease: If you have heart disease, this medication may cause salt and water retention. Both the medication and the salt and water retention can aggravate your symptoms. If you have a history of heart disease or a history of heart attacks, consult your doctor to see if this medication is safe for you.
If you have kidney problems or a history of kidney disease, this medication may cause salt and water retention. Both the medication and the salt and water retention can aggravate your symptoms.
For people with kidney problems: If you have kidney problems or a history of kidney disease, this drug may cause salt and water retention. Both the medication and salt and water retention can make your conditions worse.
Prostate cancer patients: If you have prostate cancer, you should not take this medication. Testosterone cypionate may aggravate your condition.
For people who have sleep apnea (breathing problems while sleeping): If you have sleep apnea, consult your doctor to see if this medication is safe for you. This medication may aggravate the condition. You may wake up more frequently at night, making you tired during the day.
For people with polycythemia (high red blood cell count): This medication may significantly raise your red blood cell count and worsen your condition. If your hematocrit is greater than 54 percent, you should not use this medication.
For people with high cholesterol: This medication may raise your cholesterol levels. High cholesterol levels can increase your chances of developing heart or blood vessel problems. While taking this medication, your doctor will monitor your cholesterol levels.
For diabetics: This medication may cause a significant drop in blood sugar levels. Your doctor may reduce the dosage of your diabetes medications. You should also keep a close eye on your blood sugar levels.
For people who have a history of blood clots: If you have a history of blood clots, this drug may increase your risk of developing blood clots in your lungs or deep veins of your legs.
Other groups below should be warned
For pregnant women: Testosterone cypionate is a category X pregnancy drug. Category X drugs should never be used during pregnancy.
This medication should only be used on men.
For seniors: This drug shouldn’t be used to treat age-related decreases in testosterone. There isn’t enough information from clinical trials in seniors ages 65 years and older to support the use of this drug for a long period of time.
If you’re older than 65 years, you may be at a higher risk of heart disease, prostate cancer, and enlarged prostate while taking this drug.
For children: It has not been proven that testosterone cypionate is safe and effective in children under the age of 12.
In children, testosterone cypionate may impair bone growth. This medication can cause bones to mature faster than usual without causing an increase in height. As a result, adults may be shorter. If your child is taking this medication, your doctor will monitor his or her growth on a regular basis.
How should testosterone cypionate be taken?
It is possible that not all possible dosages and drug forms are represented here. Your dosage, drug form, and frequency of administration will be determined by:
- your age,
- the condition being treated,
- the severity of your condition,
- any other medical conditions,
- how you will react to the first dose.
Forms and strengths of drug
Generic: Testosterone cypionate
- Form: injectable solution
- Strengths: 100 mg/mL, 200 mg/mL
Brand: Depo-testosterone
- Form: injectable solution
- Strengths: 100 mg/mL, 200 mg/mL
Take exactly as directed
Long-term treatment with testosterone cypionate injectable solution If you do not take it as directed, there are serious consequences.
If you abruptly stop taking the medication or do not take it at all, your medication may not work as well. A certain amount of this drug must be present in your body at all times for it to work properly. If you do not take this medication, you may still experience symptoms of low testosterone.
If you miss a dose or do not take the medication on time, your medication may not work as well or may stop working entirely. A certain amount of this drug must be present in your body at all times for it to work properly.
If you take too much of the drug, you may develop dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Among the symptoms are:
- acne
- pain and swelling at injection site
- hair growth
- gynecomastia (breast enlargement)
- more frequent erections
- erections that last longer than normal
- decrease in sperm count
- mood swings
- headache
If you believe you have taken too much of this medication, contact your doctor or a local poison control center. If your symptoms are severe, dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible.
If you miss a dose, contact your doctor and let them know how long it has been since you last injected testosterone cypionate. They will assist you in creating a new dosing schedule. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at the same time. This could have serious consequences.
How to tell if the medication is working: Your low testosterone symptoms should improve and possibly disappear.
Important considerations for taking testosterone cypionate
Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes testosterone cypionate for you.
General
- Take this medication at the time(s) prescribed by your doctor.
Storage
- Keep testosterone cypionate between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C) at room temperature.
- Keep this medication away from light.
Refills
This medication's prescription may not be refillable. This medication may require a new prescription to be refilled. Inquire with your doctor about the status of this medication's refills.
Travel
When traveling with your medication, keep the following in mind:
- Always keep your medication on hand. Never put it in a checked bag when flying. It should be kept in your carry-on bag.
- Don't be concerned about airport X-ray machines. They can't do anything to your medication.
- You may be required to show the pharmacy label for your medication to airport personnel. Carry the original prescription-labeled container with you at all times.
- Do not store this medication in the glove compartment of your car or leave it in the car. Avoid doing this when the weather is extremely hot or cold.
- Bring syringes and needles with you so you can inject your medication while you're away from home.
Self-management
Testosterone cypionate is injected into your muscle (usually the buttocks). Your doctor will show you how to inject the drug deep into your muscle.
To give yourself an injection, you'll need the following items:
- Wipes with sterile alcohol,
- Syringes,
- Needles,
- A sharps container (a bin for safe disposal of used syringes).
Clinical follow-up
While taking this medication, you and your doctor should keep an eye on certain health issues. This can help ensure your safety during treatment. Among these concerns are:
- Cholesterol levels are high. This medication may raise your cholesterol levels. High cholesterol levels may increase your chances of developing heart or blood vessel problems. While taking this medication, your doctor will monitor your cholesterol levels.
- Hemoglobin and hematocrit. In rare cases, this drug may increase your red blood cell count to very high levels. This is called polycythemia. Your doctor will monitor your hemoglobin and hematocrit levels to ensure that they are not significantly elevated while you are taking this medication.
- Testosterone levels. Your total testosterone level will be checked 3–6 months after you begin taking this medication by your doctor. After that, your testosterone levels will be checked once a year to ensure that the medication is working for you. Your dosage may be adjusted by your doctor based on your testosterone levels.
- Bone age. If your child is taking this medication for delayed puberty, your doctor should take an X-ray of their wrist and hand every 6 months to see how quickly their bones are maturing.
- Health of the prostate. Seniors taking this medication may be at a higher risk of developing an enlarged prostate and prostate cancer. To ensure that your prostate is healthy, your doctor may examine it and measure its prostate specific antigen levels (PSA).
Availability
This medication is not available in every pharmacy. When filling your prescription, make sure to call ahead to ensure that your pharmacy has it in stock.
Are there any other options?
Other medications are available to treat your condition. Some may be more appropriate for you than others. Consult your doctor about other medication options that may be suitable for you.
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