aveed

Important safety information

Venous thromboembolism (VTE): VTE, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), have been reported in patients using testosterone products. Evaluate patients with signs or symptoms consistent with DVT or PE ( 5.4 ). Worsening of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and Potential Risk of Prostate Cancer: Monitor patients with BPH for worsening of signs and symptoms of BPH ( 5.5 ). Blood Pressure Increases: Testosterone can increase blood pressure, which can increase cardiovascular risk over time. Measure blood pressure periodically. Not recommended for use in men with uncontrolled hypertension ( 5.6 ) Abuse of Testosterone: Testosterone has been subject to abuse, typically at doses higher than recommended for the approved indication and in combination with other anabolic androgenic steroids ( 5.7 ). Potential for Adverse Effects on Spermatogenesis: Exogenous administration of androgens may lead to azoospermia ( 5.9 ). Edema: Edema with or without congestive heart failure may be a complication in patients with preexisting cardiac, renal, or hepatic disease ( 5.11 ). Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea may occur in those with risk factors ( 5.13 ). Monitor prostatic specific antigen (PSA), hemoglobin, hematocrit, and lipid concentrations periodically ( 5.3 , 5.5 , 5.14 ). 5.1 Serious Pulmonary Oil Microembolism (POME) Reactions and Anaphylaxis Serious POME reactions, involving cough, urge to cough, dyspnea, hyperhidrosis, throat tightening, chest pain, dizziness, and syncope, have been reported to occur during or immediately after the injection of intramuscular testosterone undecanoate 1000 mg (4 mL). The majority of these events lasted a few minutes and resolved with supportive measures; however, some lasted up to several hours and some required emergency care and/or hospitalization. To minimize the risk of intravascular injection of AVEED, care should be taken to inject the preparation deeply into the gluteal muscle, being sure to follow the recommended procedure for intramuscular administration [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 , 2.3 ) and Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] . In addition to serious POME reactions, episodes of anaphylaxis, including life-threatening reactions, have also been reported to occur following the injection of intramuscular testosterone undecanoate. Both serious POME reactions and anaphylaxis can occur after any injection of testosterone undecanoate during the course of therapy, including after the first dose. Patients with suspected hypersensitivity reactions to AVEED should not be re-treated with AVEED. Following each injection of AVEED, observe patients in the healthcare setting for 30 minutes in order to provide appropriate medical treatment in the event of serious POME reactions and anaphylaxis. 5.2 AVEED Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program AVEED is available only through a restricted program called the AVEED REMS Program because of the risk of serious POME and anaphylaxis . Notable requirements of the AVEED REMS Program include the following: Healthcare providers who prescribe AVEED must be certified with the REMS Program before ordering or dispensing AVEED. Healthcare settings must be certified with the REMS Program and have healthcare providers who are certified before ordering or dispensing AVEED. Healthcare settings must have on-site access to equipment and personnel trained to manage serious POME and anaphylaxis. Further information is available at www.aveedrems.com or call 1-855-755-0494. 5.3 Polycythemia Increases in hematocrit, reflective of increases in red blood cell mass, may require discontinuation of testosterone. Check hematocrit prior to initiating testosterone treatment. It would be appropriate to re-evaluate the hematocrit 3 to 6 months after starting testosterone treatment, and then annually. If hematocrit becomes elevated, stop therapy until hematocrit decreases to an acceptable level. An increase in red blood cell mass may increase the risk of thromboembolic events. 5.4 Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) There have been postmarketing reports of venous thromboembolic events, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), in patients using testosterone products, such as AVEED. In the Testosterone Replacement therapy for Assessment of long-term Vascular Events and efficacy ResponSE in hypogonadal men (TRAVERSE) Study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cardiovascular (CV) outcomes study, compared to placebo, topical testosterone gel was associated with a numerically higher incidence of VTE (1.7% vs 1.2%) which included DVT (0.6% vs 0.5%) and PE events (0.9% vs 0.5%) [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )]. Evaluate patients who report symptoms of pain, edema, warmth and erythema in the lower extremity for DVT and those who present with acute shortness of breath for PE. If a venous thromboembolic event is suspected, discontinue treatment with AVEED and initiate appropriate workup and management. 5.5 Worsening of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and Potential Risk of Prostate Cancer Patients with BPH treated with androgens are at an increased risk of worsening of signs and symptoms of BPH. Monitor patients with BPH for worsening signs and symptoms. Patients treated with androgens may be at an increased risk for prostate cancer. Evaluate patients for prostate cancer prior to initiating and during treatment with androgens [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . 5.6 Blood Pressure Increases AVEED can increase blood pressure. In an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) study, AVEED increased the mean systolic/diastolic blood pressure by 3.1/2.0 mm Hg from baseline after 16 weeks of treatment. In patients with hypertension on antihypertensive therapy, AVEED increased the mean systolic/diastolic BP by 2.1/1.5 mm Hg from baseline. Blood pressure increases can increase cardiovascular (CV) risk over time. The CV risk associated with topical testosterone gel was evaluated in TRAVERSE, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, CV outcomes study in men with a history of CV disease or multiple CV risk factors. In TRAVERSE, topical testosterone gel increased mean systolic blood pressure by 1.0 mm Hg from baseline to 36 months, whereas a mean decrease from baseline of 0.5 mm Hg was observed in the placebo group at this timepoint, for a mean between-group difference of 1.5 mm Hg. However, the incidences of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction [MI] and non-fatal stroke, were similar between treatment groups (7% for topical testosterone gel vs 7.3% for placebo) [See Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )]. Monitor blood pressure periodically in men using AVEED, especially men with hypertension. AVEED is not recommended for use in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. 5.7 Abuse of Testosterone and Monitoring of Serum Testosterone Concentrations Testosterone has been subject to abuse, typically at doses higher than recommended for the approved indication and in combination with other anabolic androgenic steroids. Anabolic androgenic steroid abuse can lead to serious cardiovascular and psychiatric adverse reactions [see Drug Abuse and Dependence ( 9 )]. If testosterone abuse is suspected, check serum testosterone concentrations to ensure they are within therapeutic range. However, testosterone levels may be in the normal or subnormal range in men abusing synthetic testosterone derivatives. Counsel patients concerning the serious adverse reactions associated with abuse of testosterone and anabolic androgenic steroids. Conversely, consider the possibility of testosterone and anabolic androgenic steroid abuse in suspected patients who present with serious cardiovascular or psychiatric adverse events. 5.8 Not for Use in Women Due to lack of controlled evaluations in women and potential virilizing effects, AVEED is not indicated for use in women [see Contraindications ( 4 ) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 , 8.2 )] .…