Testosterone (Absorbed Through The Skin)

Testosterone (tes-TOS-te-rone)

Raises the amount of testosterone in your body when your body does not make enough natural testosterone. Testosterone is a male hormone.

Brand Name(s):

Androderm, Testoderm
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

All Types of Patches: You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to testosterone or if you may have breast cancer or prostate cancer. A woman should never use this medicine, especially if she might be pregnant. You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to anything that may be in the patch, such as alcohol.

How to Use This Medicine:

Patch

• All Types of Patches:
  
  • Your doctor will tell you how many patches to use and how often to apply them. Do not use more patches or apply them more often than your doctor tells you to.
  • This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
  • It is best to apply the patch at the same time every day.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before and after applying a patch.
  • Leave the patch in its sealed wrapper until you are ready to put it on. Tear the wrapper open carefully. Never cut the wrapper or the patch with scissors. Do not use any patch that has been cut by accident.
  • Bathing or swimming should not affect the patch. However, heavy exercise and sweating may cause the patch to fall off.
  • If a patch comes off, just put it back on the same spot. If the patch will not stick and you have been wearing it for fewer than 12 hours, put on a new patch. Then stay on your regular schedule and replace it with a fresh patch at your next regular time. If you have already been wearing the patch for more than 12 hours, do not put on a new patch. Wait to put on a new patch at your next regular time. Do not use extra patches to make up for the one that came off.
• Testoderm® Scrotal Patch:
  
  • Apply the Testoderm® Scrotal Patch only to your scrotum. If you apply it to any other area of your skin, your body will not be able to absorb enough medicine. This means the medicine may not work.
  • Apply the patch to clean, dry skin. You may need to dry shave the skin first (not using soap or water). Do not use a chemical hair-remover (such as Nair®).
  • Be sure to remove the old patch before applying a new one.
• Testoderm® TTS Skin Patch, Androderm® Skin Patch:
  
  • Apply Testoderm® TTS Skin Patch or Androderm® Skin Patch to a place on your skin only. Do not apply Testoderm® TTS or Androderm® to your scrotum or genital area. Your body may absorb too much medicine if you apply the patch to your scrotum. If you do not understand, ask your health caregiver.
  • The patient instructions will show the body areas where you can wear the patch. Different brands of this medicine may go on different body areas. When putting on each new patch, choose a different place within these areas. Do not put the new patch on the same place you wore the last one. Be sure to remove the old patch before applying a new one.
  • Do not apply the Androderm® patch over a bony area (such as your shoulder). Do not apply the patch to an area that might be under pressure for a long time (such as the back of your leg when you are sitting).
  • Apply the patch to clean, dry skin that has very little hair or no hair. Do not put the patch over burns, cuts, or irritated skin. Avoid putting the patch on oily or sweaty skin.

If a dose is missed:

• All Types of Patches:
  
  • If you forget to wear or change a patch, put one on as soon as you can if it has been fewer than 12 hours since you were supposed to put on a patch. If it is almost time to put on your next patch, wait until then to apply a new patch and skip the one you missed.
  • Do not apply extra patches to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• All Types of Patches:
  
  • Fold the used patch in half with the sticky sides together. Throw any used patch away so that children or pets cannot get to it.
  • Store the patches at room temperature in a closed container, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
  • Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• All Types of Patches:
  
  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®), oxyphenbutazone (Tandearil®), insulin, propranolol (Inderal®), or a steroid medicine (such as cortisone, corticotropin).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• All types of patches:
  
  • The medicine may cause birth defects if a pregnant woman comes in contact with the patch or medicine. Tell your doctor if your sexual partner is pregnant. If a pregnancy occurs while you are using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.
  • Make sure your doctor knows if you have heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, prostate problems, sleep apnea (a sleep disorder), lung disease, or diabetes.
  • If a woman comes in contact with this medicine or the patch, wash the skin area right away with soap and water to remove all the medicine. If the patch sticks to a woman, remove the patch right away and wash her skin thoroughly with soap and water.
  • Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments. It is best if you have all your blood tests done at the same laboratory.
• Testoderm® TTS Skin Patch, Androderm® Skin Patch:
  
  • If your female partner starts to have male-like changes, tell your doctor. Some changes might be unusual hair growth or increased acne. Talk with your doctor if your partner is pregnant.
  • You may have mild, burn-like skin blisters, redness, itching, or swelling where the Androderm® patch is placed. Talk to your doctor about ways to prevent or treat these problems.
• Testoderm® Scrotal Patch:
  
  • Some of this medicine may get on the skin of your partner during sex. If your female partner starts to have male-like changes, tell your doctor. Some changes might be unusual hair growth or increased acne. Talk with your doctor if your partner is pregnant.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• All Types of Patches:
  
  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
  • Breathing problems during sleep
  • Change in how much or how often you urinate
  • Dark-colored urine or pale stools
  • Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in your upper stomach
  • Yellow skin or eyes
• Testoderm® TTS Skin Patch, Androderm Skin Patch:
  
  • Severe skin blisters, redness, swelling, or burning where the patch is applied
  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• All Types of Patches:
  
  • Acne
  • Erections that happen too often or last too long
  • Headache, dizziness
  • Swollen breasts
• Testoderm® Scrotal Patch:
  
  • Skin itching or irritation on your scrotum
• Testoderm® TTS Skin Patch, Androderm® Skin Patch:
  
  • Mild skin itching or redness where the patch is placed

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.