Androgel is the same testosterone, which is produced in a man’s body. It is made in order to increase or replace the natural testosterone in a body, which is essential for many processes in it. Androgel is available in the form of topical gel.

Generally Androgel is developed for treating all disorders which occur because of the lack or absence of testosterone, which is naturally produced by our body. There can be some other purposes for Androgel usage, if doctor decides.

There is information, which it’s better to know before you start Androgel treatment. Androgel shouldn’t be used by women. If a woman contacted with Androgel through a man’s skin, where it was applied, she should wash this place with water and soap. Pregnant women should avoid contacting Androgel, because this may cause different defects and implications in an unborn child.

Androgel is soaked through the skin area, where it was applied. So, if a woman or a child contacts this skin area, Androgel can get into their body. If you have noticed some of the next symptoms in anyone who could contact your skin, immediately inform your doctor:

• enlarged genitals;
• increased libido;
• male-pattern baldness;
• increased acne;
• premature pubic hair;
• aggressive behavior;
• excessive body hair growth or any other possible features of men characteristics.

Before starting Androgel treatment, consult your doctor, and he will decide, whether you may use Androgel or not. It’s not recommended to use Androgel in case you are allergic to different testosterone gels or patches. It’s also not advised to use Androgel if you suffer from male breast cancer or prostate cancer. If you suffer from one of listed below diseases, inform your doctor:

• kidney or liver disease;
• diabetes;
• overweight;
• sleep apnea or chronic breathing problems.

Androgel like most medications has its side effects, both minor and severe. Among the most common and not very serious Androgel side effects are some allergic reactions: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of your throat, tongue, lips or face; – and also increased acne or hair growth, sex drive changes, tenderness or breast swelling, depressed mood, headache. They are not very serious but it’s recommended to consult your doctor or find medical attention in case you experience them. Among severe side effects of Androgel there are: ankles swelling, nausea, low fever, dark urine, jaundice, problems with urination, bothersome, prolonged or frequent erections, stomach pain, loss of appetite, clay-colored stools.

Before you start Androgel treatment inform your doctor if you use any of the next medications: blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven), corticosteroid (methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisone (Sterapred) or any other), insulin and other medicines. Some medications can not go along with Androgel, so inform your doctor about every medication you take, including different herbal products, minerals, vitamins and all the medicines, which were prescribed by another doctor. Also don’t start taking any new medication without consulting your doctor.

Androgel: what is it?

Androgel is exactly the same testosterone, which is produced naturally in people’s bodies. While using Androgel, it absorbs through a person’s skin. If women contact Androgel, it may cause in them some of men features, because the main component is testosterone.

Androgel: dosage

Usually doctors prescribe 5-gram packet dosage of Androgel daily for adult men to start with. This dosage provides man’s body with 50mg of testosterone. When approximately two weeks pass after Androgel treatment started, your doctor measures testosterone level in your body by taking blood test. According to this test he will decide on the dosage: whether to leave it the same, or to increase or decrease it. But the maximum dosage which can be prescribed is not more than 2 tubes or packets of Androgel daily.

Androgel usage

When men suffer from lack of their natural testosterone in their bodies, Androgel is usually prescribed. It can also be used as a treatment of some other conditions, if a doctor decides that it can help.

Androgel: side effects

Side effects of Androgel are not usually foreseen. If you are using Androgel and have noticed some changes in your usual physical state or something what troubles you, immediately contact your doctor. He will decide if further Androgel treatment is safe or if it should be stopped immediately. Before you start Androgel treatment, talk all possible side effects over with your doctor. If you are using Androgel and notice some of the following side effects, stop this treatment and contact your doctor in a short time:

• Bulging or burning-like feeling on the body area where Androgel was spread;
• Irritation of the skin on the place where patch is placed;
• Urinative problems;
• Swelling ankles;
• Bothersome, prolonged or frequent erections;
• Stomach pain, nausea, appetite loss, low fever, clay-colored stools, dark urine, jaundice.

Things to know before starting Androgel treatment

If you are using Androgel, bear in mind that it can be passed to another person’s skin from your skin. So try not to contact women, as Androgel can do harm to their health and physical state, especially pregnant women. If this happened, women should immediately wash that place with water and soap.

If you had or have kidney disease, heart disease or liver disease and your ankles, feet or hands are swelling while using Androgel, tell your doctor and stop using Androgel. Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to anything before starting Androgel treatment. Consult your doctor before taking testosterone if you have prostate cancer or breast cancer.

Drug interaction

Since Androgel, taken together with some medications, can decrease, increase or change their effect, it’s strongly recommended to consult your doctor and inform him about medications which you take. Here are some of them:

• Insulin (Novolin, Humulin)
• Oxyphenbutazone
• Propranolol (Inderal)

Androgel overdose

In case you swallow Androgel, it can do harm to your health. If you have an overdose of Androgel, you may experience the following symptoms: confusion, vision problems or one-sided weakness.