This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. How to give a testosterone intramuscular (IM) injection. It should be clear to light yellow in color and free of visible particles. In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Hold the skin around the area to be used with your other hand with fingers spread apart from thumb in the shape of a V to surround the injection site. When you're ready, use a sterile needle and syringe to extract the appropriate dosage, based on the concentration of the testosterone you have. This list may not describe all possible interactions. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. dizziness. What is an intramuscular injection? (2016). The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. You may experience moderate discomfort, pressure, stinging, pressure, or slight burning. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. The same amount of testosterone cypionate, the generic version of that drug, runs about $12$26. People can also use these injections to treat sexual dysfunction resulting from bodily changes after menopause or as part of masculinizing hormone therapy. If you do not have a sharps container, find a sturdy, puncture-proof container, such as a laundry detergent bottle. Testosterone is injected into a muscle. Testosterone is sometimes given to transgender people as part of their gender affirmation and transition. Causing acne or other skin reactions. Improved libido. Keep your medication in a safe place to protect it from theft. If someone experiences any of the following symptoms after a testosterone injection, they should seek emergency medical attention: If a doctor prescribes male testosterone injections to an adolescent to treat a constitutional delay of growth and puberty, the goal will be to achieve an accelerated growth spurt during puberty. This medication is an injection. An update on the role of testosterone replacement therapy in the management of hypogonadism. The hormone affects several other factors in your health, including body fat, muscle mass, bone density, red blood cell count, and mood. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your testosterone levels to see if they are low before you begin to use testosterone injection. A person can boost their libido through lifestyle changes, therapy, and various natural remedies. Another thing to consider is the fact that testosterone is fairly viscous and oily compared to other injectable medications. So, with low T, you may feel like youre losing muscle size or strength. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Testosterone is a male hormone responsible for the growth and development of the male sex organs and maintenance of secondary sex characteristics. People should be aware of the possible serious complications of using testosterone in both the short-term and long-term. Talk to your doctor about the risks of receiving this medication. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Testosterone is a male hormone responsible for the growth and development of the male sex organs and maintenance of secondary sex characteristics. Prescriptions may be refilled only a limited number of times; ask your pharmacist if you have any questions. Testosterone enanthate injection (Xyosted) comes as a solution (liquid) to be injected subcutaneously (under the skin) once a week by yourself or a caregiver. Copyright 2023 Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved. If a blood test shows that your levels are far below the norm, your doctor may suggest testosterone injections. Overview of masculinizing hormone therapy. People can choose between two methods: When having testosterone injections, people will usually visit their doctor every few months for monitoring. Brand names: Aveed, Depo-Testosterone, Testosterone Cypionate, Testosterone Enanthate, Xyosted Testosterone is a naturally occurring sex hormone produced in a man's testicles. (n.d.). MS: Can the Mediterranean diet help preserve cognitive health? Potential benefits. Testosterone cypionate, testosterone enanthate (available generically), and testosterone undecanoate injection come as a solution (liquid) to be injected into a muscle and as a pellet to be injected under the skin by a doctor or nurse in an office setting or clinic. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. difficulty sleeping. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. What is testosterone injection? Protect from light. It was impossible to pull up my dose without. Diagnosis of hypogonadism: Clinical assessments and laboratory tests. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911. Testosterone undecanoate injection (Aveed) may cause serious breathing problems and allergic reactions, during or immediately after the injection. Choosing a testosterone injection is a decision that requires many considerations. Notify the office if you are unable to keep an appointment. However, this only occurs if your low T is prolonged and severe. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment. Do not share this medication with anyone. Despite this, doctors do not often recommend testosterone injections to treat low testosterone in females, as they can have masculinizing effects. Some insurance companies cover portions of the costs, but youll want to check your coverage in advance. Testosterone is a hormone produced in the testicles in men and in the ovaries in women. Medically reviewed by Kaci Durbin, MD. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. However, this practice is still not well-studied, so many physicians advise against it. Testosterone injections are not commonly used in women. A program has been set up to limit the use of testosterone undecanoate injection (Aveed) and to inform people about the increased risk of breathing problems and allergic reactions while receiving this medication. Administering the Testosterone Injection: Step Number 4. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Various dosage regimens have been used to induce pubertal changes in hypogonadal males; some experts have advocated . Continue reading, AndroGel, Androderm, Xyosted, Depo-Testosterone, +12 more. Do not share this medicine with others. Chest pain. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. Be sure to tell your doctor about all health conditions you have before starting testosterone therapy. Learn more here. Testosterone levels vary depending on a persons sex, age, and physical activity levels. They're usually painless and are most common in babies, but they can affect. As for muscle maintenance, testosterone therapy has been found to help increase muscle mass, but not strength. Testosterone therapy is becoming more common in the United States. What happens when a woman has low testosterone? This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. A subcutaneous testosterone injection increases your testosterone levels. Testosterone injections should be given only by a healthcare professional. "Thanks to this article, I can now confidently and safely give myself a testosterone injection in my thigh. Policy. Be careful not to squirt or spray a significant portion of your dosage onto the floor. Dosing. Make sure that you use a large needle to draw the medication up. You will know what to expect, and how to deal safely with it. Well explain possible causes and treatment options. You should not receive testosterone if you have prostate cancer, male breast cancer, a serious heart condition, or severe liver or kidney disease. The injection site is typically in the gluteal muscles in the buttocks. References In their active form, androgens have a 17-beta-hydroxy group. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here. Before you give someone a shot of testosterone, make sure they don't have prostate or breast cancer, since this could worsen their condition. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Others may have breast swelling. Do not share this medicine with another person. This use of testosterone injections is known as masculinizing hormone therapy. This medicine can harm an unborn baby. Information on testosterone hormone therapy. It is only recommended for males with a known medical condition, such as a genetic disorder, problem with certain brain structures (called the hypothalamus and pituitary) or previous chemotherapy. Depo-Testosterone. Abstinence from masturbation and other forms of sexual activity may temporarily raise testosterone levels, but masturbation does not affect, Testosterone supplements may include injectable treatments or those that are transdermal, meaning people apply them to the skin. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Disclaimer, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Misuse can lead to serious side effects or death. However, your doctor may allow you to self-administer the injections. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet. testosterone injection is not for use in treating low testosterone without certain medical conditions or due to getting older. Testosterone Enanthate. Misuse of testosterone can cause dangerous or irreversible effects. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had sleep apnea (breathing stops for short periods of time during sleep); benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH; an enlarged prostate); high blood levels of calcium; cancer; diabetes; depression or other mental illness; or lung disease. You will need to remain in the healthcare setting for at least 30 minutes after you receive your injection. Injections are typically administered weekly by the user in a home setting. Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to testosterone: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Testosterone levels change over time, and lower. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); insulin (Apidra, Humalog, Humulin, others); medications for diabetes; and oral steroids such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Rayos). Try not to miss a dose. Misuse of testosterone can cause dangerous or irreversible effects, such as enlarged breasts, small testicles, infertility, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, liver disease, bone growth problems, addiction, and mental effects such as aggression and violence. The smaller the gauge of a needle, the bigger it isfor example, an 18 gauge needle is bigger than a 25. signs of a blood clot deep in the body--swelling, warmth, or redness in an arm or leg; signs of a blood clot in the lung--chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, coughing up blood; or. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Remove your hand from the skin. Notify your care team and seek emergency treatment if you develop breathing problems; changes in vision; confusion; chest pain or chest tightness; sudden arm pain; severe, sudden headache; trouble speaking or understanding; sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg; loss of balance or coordination. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Bone development may need to be checked with x-rays every 6 months during treatment. (2009). It is possible to use needles larger than 25-gauge, but you may . This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health. Before injecting the testosterone, wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Do not inject into an area where the skin is tender, bruised, red, or hard or where you have scars, tattoos, or stretch marks. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You may need to stop using testosterone or start taking blood pressure medication. Testosterone enanthate is used in women to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) and cannot be treated with surgery. Find patient medical information for testosterone injection on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings and user ratings. Stopping testosterone may also lead to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. The program also makes sure that everyone who received this medication understands the risks and benefits from this medication and receives the medication in a setting where they can be monitored for serious reactions. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Testosterone is injected under the skin or into a muscle, usually given every 2 to 4 weeks. In that case, the injection site would be in your thigh muscles. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. Their primary use is as a treatment for sexual dysfunction in males and postmenopausal symptoms in females with a testosterone deficiency. (2016, September 16), Mayo Clinic Staff. Be sure to use testosterone injection exactly as directed by your doctor. You should not be treated with testosterone if you have prostate cancer, male breast cancer, a serious heart condition, severe liver or kidney disease, or an allergy to castor oil or sesame oil. Enanthate. Your doctor may tell you that you should not receive testosterone injection. Testosterone injection may cause the bones to mature more quickly than normal in children who receive the medication. FDA drug safety communication: FDA cautions about using testosterone products for low testosterone due to aging; requires labeling change to inform of possible increased risk of heart attack and stroke with use. You should not breastfeed while using this medicine. The side effects may be different depending on the reason why the person is using the injections. Last Updated: August 7, 2022 If you have been given a legitimate diagnosis of low testosterone, and you have appropriate coverage, your insurance company may pay for your prescription for testosterone . you should know that there have been reports of serious side effects in people who use testosterone at higher doses, along with other male sex hormone products, or in ways other than directed by a doctor. Ask your doctor about these risks. Testosterone can raise your blood pressure, which could increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, or death. Testosterone is a hormone that your sex organs mainly produce. pain, redness, bruising, bleeding, or hardness at injection site, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, lower leg pain, swelling, warmth, or redness, swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs, difficulty breathing, especially during sleep, erections that happen too often or that last too long, difficulty urinating, weak urine flow, frequent urination, sudden need to urinate right away, blood in the urine, pain in the upper right part of the stomach, mood changes including depression, anxiety, or becoming suicidal (thinking about harming or killing oneself or planning or trying to do so). This means that the children may stop growing sooner than expected and may have a shorter than expected adult height. Available for Android and iOS devices. Testosterone injections can increase your red blood cell count, so this test is done to make sure you arent at risk of a dangerous increase in these cells. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. This medication is only approved for use in men who have low levels of testosterone related to certain medical conditions. This medication may affect blood sugar levels. Transgender men, nonbinary people, and other individuals may choose to use testosterone injections as part of a gender transition. Testosterone is a hormone that your gonads (testicles or ovaries) mainly produce. Do not use testosterone if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Always look at your testosterone enanthate (Xyosted) solution before you inject it. Stealing, selling, or giving away this medicine is against the law. Signs of an allergic reaction to a testosterone injection include: Hives. TESTOSTERONE (tes TOS ter one) is used to increase testosterone levels in your body. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Stop when you see a tiny drop of medication come out of the tip of the syringe. Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your testosterone injection. weakness or numbness in an arm or leg. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP. Men naturally start losing some of their testosterone when they hit their 30s or 40s. Be sure that you understand these directions, and ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions. People who have had strokes, heart attacks, heart disease, or high blood pressure should make the doctor aware of this before starting testosterone injections, as they may have a higher risk of complications. Thick needles can be especially painful, so, usually, you'll remove the thicker needle and replace it with a thinner one when it comes time to give the actual injection. Testosterone injection is not for use in women who are pregnant. Tell your caregivers right away if you have a tight feeling in your throat, a sudden urge to cough, or if you feel light-headed or short of breath during or shortly after receiving the injection. You should also use an alcohol wipe to sanitize the top of the testosterone bottle. If it becomes severe or if you feel shooting pain, stop immediately, and contact a doctor. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Testosterone should not be used to enhance athletic performance. "I think this process was accurately described and enables one to perform this procedure safely. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. It's not painless, "The details were quite helpful, as well as the recommendation for massaging the site to spread the liquid. This is normal. Normal testosterone levels are between 300 and 1,000 ng/dL. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication. Surampudi, P., Swerdloff, R. S., and Wang, C. (2014, June). COMMON BRAND NAME (S): Andro-L.A., Aveed, Delatestryl, Depo-Testosterone, Virilon. Flick the side of the syringe to get these bubbles to rise to the top. Taking testosterone injections once a week may be the best way to keep the levels of this hormone even. Be sure to read this information carefully each time. They will need to check the level of testosterone in your blood. Last updated on Apr 28, 2022. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Deutsch, M. B. Your doctor may adjust your dose of testosterone depending on the amount of testosterone in your blood during your treatment and your reaction to the medication. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while . This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. The most common side effects of an intramuscular testosterone injection include nausea, vomiting, changes in skin color, changes in sexual interest, headaches, oily skin, hair loss, and acne. Testosterone injection may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. To use the sharing features on this page, please enable JavaScript. However, if low T is to blame for problems with conception, dont count on testosterone injections to help. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. You should not be treated with this medicine if you are allergic to testosterone, or if you have: Testosterone injection is not for use in women who are pregnant. Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Mar 28, 2022. The purpose of testosterone injections is to help regulate male hormone levels to help address problems related to low T. For men with low T, the benefits of these injections . Not all males with low testosterone will need treatment, and it is not always safe. Always store your medication at the recommended temperature, and always check the expiration date on the bottle. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Misuse of testosterone can cause dangerous or irreversible effects. You may need to stop using testosterone or start taking blood pressure medication. This medication is banned from use in athletes by most athletic organizations. The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. This therapy should not affect the final adult height that the adolescent reaches.