What is Testosterone?

A crucial steroid hormone, the main male sex hormone, produced in testes (men) and ovaries/adrenals (women), vital for male development (voice, hair, muscle) but also affecting libido, bone density, fat, mood, and red blood cell production in both sexes, acting as a chemical messenger throughout the body. It drives puberty, supports sexual function, maintains muscle/bone, and influences mental well-being, with levels naturally declining with age.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

Before taking your medication, make sure your doctor knows about any of the following health conditions:

• Medical Conditions: History of heart disease, heart attack, or stroke; liver, kidney, or lung disease; diabetes; high blood pressure; high
  calcium levels; sleep apnea; and, if male, prostate cancer, breast cancer, or urinary issues.
• Medications/Supplements: All prescription drugs, OTC medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
• Fertility Goals: If you are planning to have children, as therapy can impair fertility.
• Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: If you are female, inform your provider if you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• Allergies to any medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives, particularly to testosterone or any of its ingredients.

How should I use this medicine?

Follow the package directions provided by the pharmacy and by your prescriber. Your dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Follow the dosing schedule provided carefully. Injections should be taken as indicated by your healthcare provider. See recommended administration guide for further instruction.

1. Wash your hands and clean the injection site with an alcohol swab.

2. Wipe the rubber stopper on top of vial with an alcohol swap.

3. Insert the needle into the rubber stopper and draw the correct dose into the syringe from your vial.

4. Pinch the skin at your chosen injection site.

• Subcutaneous (SC) (Abdomen/Thigh): Pinch an inch of skin and inject at a 45 or 90-degree angle.

• Intramuscular (IM) (Thigh): Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle into the vastus lateralis muscle (outer thigh).

5. Inject slowly and steadily, then remove the needle.

6. Dispose the syringe in a sharps container and clean the area again if needed.

7. Common injection sites include the lower abdomen (at least two inches from the navel), the outer area of the upper arm, or the front of the thigh. Rotate injection sites to prevent irritation, redness, or the formation of lumps (lipoatrophy)

What if I miss a dose?

• If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
• Do not take double the dose at once, take as prescribed.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

• Signs of allergic reaction: Difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, widespread hives, or a rapid heart rate.
• Persistent or severe symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, or headaches that last for more than a few days or are unusually intense.
• Other medical conditions: Inform your doctor if you have cancer, cardiovascular, kidney, liver issues or other medical conditions, as
  dosage adjustments or closer monitoring may be necessary.
• Drug interactions: This medication can interact with many other drugs. Make sure your doctor and pharmacist are aware of all your
  current medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.

What common side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that may occur and may go away as your body gets used to the medication include:

• Injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling, irritation)
• Injection site erythema and injection site reaction
• Polycythemia
• Gynecomastia
• Headache
• Depression

What serious side effects prompt immediate attention?

Contact your doctor immediately or seek medical attention if you experience:

• Allergic Reactions: Symptoms such as hives, rash, facial or throat swelling, difficulty breathing, or rapid heartbeat warrant immediate
  medical care.
• Cardiovascular: Chest pain, shortness of breath (especially during sleep), leg pain/swelling/warmth, stroke symptoms (sudden
  weakness, vision changes, severe headache, slurred speech).
• Liver Issues: Yellow skin/eyes (jaundice), dark urine, severe stomach pain, vomiting, loss of appetite.
• Blood: Polycythemia (thickened blood), increased risk of blood clots.
• Urinary: Difficulty urinating, frequent urination, blood in urine, weak flow.
• Gynecomastia: Breast tenderness or enlargement.
• Blood Pressure: High blood pressure.

Seek medical attention if an allergic reaction occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness,
and/or trouble breathing

What may interact with this medicine?

• Insulin: Changes in insulin sensitivity or glycemic control may occur in patients treated with androgens. In diabetic patients, the metabolic effects of androgens may decrease blood glucose and, therefore, insulin requirements.
• Oral anticoagulants: Changes in anticoagulant activity may be seen with androgens. Frequent monitoring of INR and prothrombin time may be necessary in patients taking anticoagulants, especially at the initiation and termination of androgen therapy.
• Corticosteroids: The concurrent use of testosterone with corticosteroids may result in increased fluid retention and should be monitored cautiously, particularly in patients with cardiac, renal or hepatic disease.
• This is not a complete list of all possible interactions. Always inform your doctor and pharmacist of all medications, supplements, and herbal products you take, especially before starting or stopping any new medication.

Contraindications or require Caution:

• Known hypersensitivity to Testosterone Cypionate Injection or to any of its components.
• Hypersensitivity, including skin manifestations and anaphylactoid reactions have been reported.
• Men with carcinoma of the breast or known or suspected carcinoma of the prostate gland.
• Women who are pregnant. Testosterone can cause virilization of the female fetus when administered to a pregnant woman.