Testogel contains testosterone, a naturally occurring male sex hormone (androgen).
Testogel is used for testosterone replacement therapy in male hypogonadism (insufficiency of the sex glands).
Before using Testogel, it must have been unambiguously demonstrated that there is a lack of testosterone on the basis of clinical symptoms (disappearance of secondary sexual characteristics, change in body appearance, early fatigue (asthenia), decreased libido , erectile dysfunction, etc.) and confirm it with laboratory tests.
According to doctor’s prescription.
Testogel should not be used
• if you suffer from prostate cancer or breast cancer or in case of suspicion of these diseases,
•if you are hypersensitive (allergic) to testosterone or any of the ingredients of the medicine.
Testogel is not intended for the treatment of infertility or male impotence.
Certain disorders such as irritability, nervousness, weight increase, more frequent or longer than average erections can be a sign of too high a dosage. In this case, talk to your doctor.
If a serious skin reaction develops on the treated skin area, the treatment should be reconsidered and, if necessary, discontinued.
Testogel may increase the risk of benign prostate enlargement or development of prostate cancer. Therefore, in accordance with the doctor’s instructions prostate examinations as well as blood tests should be carried out regularly (see below ‘Precautions during use’).
During treatment with testosterone, especially in very overweight patients and patients with chronic respiratory diseases, a brief interruption of breathing during sleep (sleep apnea) has been observed.
In patients with severe heart, liver or kidney disorders, serious complications in the form of edema (accumulation of water in the tissues) possibly accompanied by heart failure may occur during treatment with Testogel. decompensated (with volume overload of the heart). In this case, treatment should be discontinued immediately. It may be necessary to combine treatment with a diuretic.
In patients with cardiovascular disease, epilepsy, migraine or high blood pressure, Testogel should be used with caution.
In patients on long-term testosterone replacement therapy, polycythemia (abnormal increase in the number of red blood cells) may develop. During long-term treatment with Testogel, regular checks of hemoglobin (red blood pigment), hematocrit (total volume of red blood cells) and liver values should be carried out.
Cancer patients with bone involvement may have high levels of calcium in the blood and urine. It is therefore recommended that these patients have their calcium levels checked regularly while using Testogel.
Benign and (very rarely) malignant liver tumors have been observed after the use of hormonally active substances, such as androgens, which in isolated cases have led to life-threatening internal bleeding. If you experience severe epigastric pain, please consult your doctor.
For people taking oral anticoagulants (medicines intended to prevent blood clotting), insulin or corticosteroids, it may be necessary to adjust the dosage (see also the paragraph “Interactions with other medicines”).
Factors known to increase your risk of blood clots in the veins: previous thrombosis, smoking, obesity, cancer, bed rest, family history of thrombosis at a young age (before age 50), old age.
How to recognize a blood clot: painful swelling of a leg or sudden change in skin color (pale/red/blue), sudden respiratory distress, sudden cough which may be coughing up blood, sudden chest pain, severe dizziness, severe stomach pain, sudden loss of vision. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the above symptoms.
Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had bleeding disorders or thrombophilia (abnormal blood clotting which increases the risk of thrombosis – presence of blood clots in the vessels).
Precautions when using
Before starting treatment with Testogel, you must undergo a thorough medical examination: during treatment, medical check-ups must be carried out at regular intervals (at least once a year, and every three months during the first year for elderly patients and patients at risk).
Possible transmission of testosterone to others
A transmission of testosterone, the active ingredient of Testogel, to another person (eg partner or children) may occur in case of close contact with the treated skin areas. This can lead, in the person exposed to contact, to an increase in the concentration of testosterone in the blood and, therefore, to adverse effects. In adult women, cases of acne, increased body and/or facial hair, deeper voice and menstrual cycle irregularities have been observed in this context. In children, cases of precocious sexual development following contact with testosterone gel have been reported. This was manifested e.g. by an increase in the size of the genital organs, by an early development of pubic hair, by an increased growth rate, by the occurrence of frequent erections and by the appearance of sexual urges. Similarly, aggressive behavior has been reported. These symptoms regressed in most cases when contact with the testosterone gel was discontinued.