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Androderm

  • Generic Name: testosterone transdermal system
  • Brand Name: Androderm
  • Drug Class: ANDROGENS

side effects drug center androderm (testosterone transdermal system) drug

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  • Medication Guide

    What is Androderm?

    Androderm is a prescription medicine that contains testosterone. Androderm is used to treat adult males who have low or no testosterone due to certain medical conditions.

    Your healthcare provider will test your blood for testosterone before you start and while you are taking Androderm.

    It is not known if Androderm is safe or effective to treat men who have low testosterone due to aging.

    It is not known if Androderm is safe and effective in children younger than 18 years old. Improper use of Androderm may affect bone growth in children.

    What are the possible side effects of Androderm?

    Androderm can cause serious side effects including:

    • If you already have an enlargement of your prostate gland your signs and symptoms may get worse while using Androderm. This can include:
      • increased urination at night
      • trouble starting your urine stream
      • having to pass urine many times during the day
      • having an urge that you have to go to the bathroom right away
      • having a urine accident
      • being unable to pass urine or weak urine flow
    • Possible increased risk of prostate cancer. Your healthcare provider should check you for prostate cancer or any other prostate problems before you start and while you use Androderm.
    • Blood clots in the legs or lungs. Signs and symptoms of a blood clot in your leg can include leg pain, swelling or redness. Signs and symptoms of a blood clot in your lungs can include difficulty breathing or chest pain. This can include pain, swelling or redness of your legs.
    • Possible increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
    • In large doses Androderm may lower your sperm count.
    • Swelling of your ankles, feet, or body, with or without heart failure.
    • Enlarged or painful breasts.
    • Problems breathing while you sleep (sleep apnea).

    Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the serious side effects listed above.

    The most common side effects of Androderm include:

    • skin redness, irritation, burning, or blisters where Androderm is applied
    • back pain
    • depression
    • headache
    • prostate abnormalities

    Other side effects include more erections than are normal for you or erections that last a long time. Tell

    your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of Androderm. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

    Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

     

    DESCRIPTION

    Androderm (testosterone transdermal system) is designed to deliver testosterone continuously for 24 hours following application to intact, non-scrotal skin (e.g., back, abdomen, thighs, upper arms).

    Two strengths of Androderm are available that deliver approximately 2 mg or 4 mg of testosterone per day.

    Androderm has a central drug delivery reservoir surrounded by a peripheral adhesive area. The Androderm 2 mg/day system has a total contact surface area of 32 cm² with a 6.0 cm² central drug delivery reservoir containing 9.7 mg testosterone USP, dissolved in an alcohol-based gel. The Androderm 4 mg/day system has a total contact surface area of 39 cm² with a 12.0 cm² central drug delivery reservoir containing 19.5 mg testosterone USP, dissolved in an alcohol-based gel. Testosterone USP is a white, or creamy white crystalline powder or crystals chemically described as 17ß-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one.

    Androderm® (testosterone transdermal system) Structural Formula Illustration

    The Androderm systems have six components as shown in Figure 1. Proceeding from the top toward the surface attached to the skin, the system is composed of (1) metallized polyester/Surlyn® (ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer)/ethylene vinyl acetate backing film with alcohol resistant ink, (2) a drug reservoir of testosterone USP, alcohol USP, glycerin USP, glycerol monooleate, methyl laurate, sodium hydroxide NF, to adjust pH, and purified water USP, gelled with carbomer copolymer Type B NF, (3) a permeable polyethylene microporous membrane, and (4) a peripheral layer of acrylic adhesive surrounding the central, active drug delivery area of the system. Prior to opening of the system and application to the skin, the central delivery surface of the system is sealed with a peelable laminate disc (5) composed of a five-layer laminate containing polyester/polyesterurethane adhesive/aluminum foil/polyester-urethane adhesive/polyethylene. The disc is attached to and removed with the release liner (6), a silicone-coated polyester film, which is removed before the system can be used.

    Figure 1: System Schematic

    System Schematic - Illustration

    The active ingredient in the system is testosterone. The remaining components of the system are pharmacologically inactive.