What you need to know about Testosterone Subcutaneous Injection

Your doctor may have told you to use an injection called Testosterone . It may be because your body has low testosterone levels. When you hear this name , you may feel a little scared. Many questions like "What will happen with this?" and "Is it difficult to use?" probably come to mind. That's normal. But if you are properly informed and use it exactly as your doctor says, there will be no problem with this. Let's talk about this simply, in a way that you can understand.

What exactly is this drug called testosterone?

Simply put, Testosterone is a drug that increases the level of testosterone in your body. It belongs to the group of drugs called androgen hormones . This testosterone hormone is essential for many things in a man's body, such as sexual characteristics, muscle growth , and strength. When the production of this hormone in the body decreases for some reason, it has to be given externally as an injection. This drug can come under various brand names in Sri Lanka, for example, the name `(XYOSTED)` is familiar to you.

Doctors may sometimes use this medication for other conditions besides the reason it was prescribed for you. So if you have any questions, ask your doctor about it.

Things you need to tell your doctor before using this medicine

This is a very important part. If you have any of the following medical conditions, you should definitely inform your doctor about them before starting this medicine. Do not hide these things, because it can harm your health.

• Cancer conditions: If you have or have had prostate cancer, breast cancer, or any other cancer condition in the past.
• Heart disease: Conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure .
• Liver or kidney disease: If you have any impairment in your liver or kidney function.
• Diabetes: If you are diabetic.
• Lung diseases: If you have long-term lung diseases such as asthma.
• Mental health issues: If you or someone in your family has or has had mental health issues such as depression or suicidal thoughts.
• Allergies: If you have allergies to testosterone, sesame oil (some vaccines may contain these), other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
• Pregnancy: If your partner is pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.

By being specific about these things, your doctor can determine whether this medication is right for you or not, or whether the dosage needs to be changed.

How exactly is this vaccine used?

This vaccine is given as a subcutaneous injection . It is usually given in the abdomen or thigh. Your doctor or a trained nurse will show you how to give it at first. It is very important to give the vaccine exactly as you are told, without any changes.

• On time: Get the vaccine at the time and on the number of days prescribed by your doctor. Change the timing as you see fit, and don't skip days.
• MedGuide: You may receive a MedGuide when you are prescribed this medicine. It contains very important information about this medicine. Always read it carefully.
• Used needles: This is something you should be very careful about. Never throw away an injector or syringe after getting a shot. It can be very harmful to others. There is a special container for these (sharps container) . If you don't have one, ask your doctor how to get one.
• If given to children: Special care should be taken when giving this medicine to children. Therefore, follow the doctor's instructions exactly.

What to do if the medication dose increases?

If you think you have taken too much medicine, do not panic and immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.

What to do if you miss a vaccination appointment?

Sometimes you may forget the day and time of your vaccination. If this happens, take the dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose when you remember, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose at once. If you are unable to remember, it is best to talk to your doctor for advice.

Other medications that may interact with this medicine

If you are taking medication for another condition, it is essential to tell your doctor about it. Some medications can interact with this testosterone injection and cause side effects. Be especially careful with the medications listed below.

• Some medicines taken for colds or nasal congestion (e.g. medicines containing `ephedrine`, `phenylephrine`, `pseudoephedrine`).
• Medicines given to prevent blood clotting (e.g. `warfarin`).
• Medicine for diabetes.
• Steroid-type medications (e.g. prednisone or cortisone).

Other medications not on this list may interact with this medicine. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, not just prescription medications, but also over-the-counter vitamins, herbal remedies, and Ayurvedic medicines. Also, don't forget to tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.

Things you should be careful about when taking medication

It is very important to pay attention to changes in your body while using the vaccine.

• Regular medical checkups: Be sure to go to your doctor's appointments. He or she can check your testosterone levels with a blood test and decide if the dosage of your medication needs to be increased or decreased.
• Heart attack and stroke risk: Heart attacks and strokes have been reported in some people taking this medicine. Therefore, if you experience symptoms such as chest pain, nausea , pain in the shoulder, arm or jaw, difficulty breathing, sudden numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, or difficulty walking , do not ignore them. Go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
• Blood sugar levels: If you are diabetic, your blood sugar levels may change while taking this medicine. So check your blood sugar levels regularly. Talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet or the dosage of your diabetes medication.
• For athletes: If you are an athlete, keep in mind that this drug is a banned substance by many sporting organizations.

Side effects that may occur with this medicine

Like any medicine, this one can have some side effects. Some are serious, some are common. It's important to be aware of these.

If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned on this list, tell your doctor about them as well.

How do you store and keep the medicine?

• Keep away from children and pets. This is very important.
• Store at normal room temperature (between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius).
• Do not store in the fridge or freezer.
• Keep the vaccine in its original packaging, away from light.
• Never use expired medicine and dispose of it properly.

I hope this article has given you a better understanding of this medicine. Remember, if you have any questions or doubts, do not search for them on the internet, but ask your doctor. He or she knows your condition best.