testim

Important safety information

Potential for Secondary Exposure to Testosterone: Avoid unintentional exposure of women or children to TESTIM. Secondary exposure to testosterone can produce signs of virilization. TESTIM should be discontinued until the cause of virilization is identified. ( 5.1 ) 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. ( 5.3 ) Worsening of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and Potential Risk of Prostate Cancer: Monitor patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) for worsening of signs and symptoms of BPH. ( 5.4 ) 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 ( 5.5 ) 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 ( 5.6 ). Potential for Adverse Effects on Spermatogenesis Exogenous administration of androgens may lead to azoospermia. ( 5.8 ) Edema: Edema, with or without congestive heart failure, may be a complication in patients with preexisting cardiac, renal, or hepatic disease. ( 5.10 , 6.2 ) Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea may occur in those with risk factors. ( 5.12 ) Monitor prostate specific antigen (PSA), hematocrit, and lipid concentrations periodically. ( 5.2 , 5.4 , 5.13 ) TESTIM is flammable until dry. ( 5.16 ) 5.1 Potential for Secondary Exposure to Testosterone Cases of secondary exposure resulting in virilization of children have been reported in postmarketing surveillance. Signs and symptoms have included enlargement of the penis or clitoris, development of pubic hair, increased erections and libido, aggressive behavior, and advanced bone age. In most cases, these signs and symptoms regressed with removal of the exposure to testosterone gel. In a few cases, however, enlarged genitalia did not fully return to age-appropriate normal size, and bone age remained modestly greater than chronological age. The risk of transfer was increased in some of these cases by not adhering to precautions for the appropriate use of the topical testosterone product. Children and women should avoid contact with unwashed or unclothed application sites in men using TESTIM [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 ), Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 ), and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Inappropriate changes in genital size or development of pubic hair or libido in children, or changes in body hair distribution, significant increase in acne, or other signs of virilization in adult women should be brought to the attention of a physician and the possibility of secondary exposure to testosterone gel should also be brought to the attention of a physician. Testosterone gel should be promptly discontinued until the cause of virilization has been identified. 5.2 Polycythemia Increases in hematocrit, reflective of increases in red blood cell mass, may require lowering or discontinuation of testosterone. Check hematocrit prior to initiating treatment. It would also be appropriate to re-evaluate the hematocrit 3 to 6 months after starting treatment, and then annually. If hematocrit becomes elevated, stop therapy until hematocrit decreases to an acceptable concentration. An increase in red blood cell mass may increase the risk of thromboembolic events. 5.3 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 TESTIM. 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 TESTIM and initiate appropriate workup and management [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] . 5.4 Worsening of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and Potential Risk of Prostate Cancer Patients with BPH treated with androgens are at an increased risk for worsening of signs and symptoms of BPH. Monitor patients with BPH for worsening signs and symptoms. Patients treated with androgens may be at increased risk for prostate cancer. Evaluate patients for prostate cancer prior to initiating and during treatment with androgens [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . 5.5 Blood Pressure Increases TESTIM can increase blood pressure. In an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) study, TESTIM increased the mean systolic/diastolic blood pressure by 2.7/1.1 mm Hg from baseline after 16 weeks of treatment. In patients with hypertension on antihypertensive therapy, TESTIM increased the mean systolic/diastolic BP by 1.9/0.3 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 TESTIM, especially men with hypertension. TESTIM is not recommended for use in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. 5.6 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. 5.7 Not for Use in Women Due to lack of controlled evaluations in women and potential virilizing effects, TESTIM is not indicated for use in women [see Contraindications ( 4 ) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 , 8.2 )] . 5.8 Potential for Adverse Effects on Spermatogenesis With large doses of exogenous androgens, including TESTIM, spermatogenesis may be suppressed through feedback inhibition of pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) which could possibly lead to adverse effects on semen parameters including sperm count. 5.9 Hepatic Adverse Effects Prolonged use of high doses of orally active 17-alpha-alkyl…