Axiron vs. Androgel

• Are Androgel and Axiron the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Axiron?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Androgel?
• What is Axiron?
• What is Androgel?
• What Drugs Interact with Axiron?
• What Drugs Interact with Androgel?
• How Should Axiron Be Taken?
• How Should Androgel Be Taken?

Both Axiron and Androgel are topical medications that allow the active ingredient, synthetic testosterone, to absorb through the skin.

 Doctors prescribe synthetic testosterone to treat a deficiency of natural testosterone in men, whether from a physical or genetic condition or a result of aging.

Testosterone is a naturally-occurring male hormone (androgen) that results in the formation of sex-specific characteristics in men starting in puberty. Testosterone is present in men throughout life, but production begins to slow down with aging. Testosterone is found in women as well, to a much lesser degree. Testosterone deficiency in men can cause muscle loss, bone weakness, loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, and weigh gain. Replacing lost testosterone can improve mood, sexual function, and prevent muscle and bone loss.

The only difference between Axiron and Androgel is where you're supposed to apply it. Axiron gel goes in the armpits, while you should apply Androgel to your upper arms, shoulders, or abdomen.

Side effects of both medications include itching, blisters, and redness at the application site. Women should never handle Androgel or Axiron.

Common side effects of Axiron include:

• skin redness or irritation at the application site,
• increased red blood cell count,
• headache,
• diarrhea,
• vomiting,
• increase in PSA (prostate-specific antigen),
• increase in blood hematocrit,
• weakness,
• mood changes,
• watery eyes,
• breast tenderness,
• increased blood pressure, and
• increased blood testosterone.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using testosterone topical and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• burn-like blistering of the skin where the transdermal patch is worn;
• skin irritation with patch-wearing that does not get better with time;
• problems with urination;
• swelling of your ankles;
• frequent, prolonged, or bothersome erections; or
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Topical testosterone is absorbed through the skin and can cause symptoms of male features in a woman or child who comes into contact with the medication. Call your doctor if your female partner has male-pattern baldness, excessive body hair growth, increased acne, irregular menstrual periods, or any other signs of male characteristics.

Less serious side effects may include:

• redness, itching, burning, or hardened skin where the skin patch is worn;
• breast swelling or tenderness;
• increased acne or hair growth;
• headache, depressed mood; or
• changes in your sex drive.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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

Your healthcare provider will test your blood before you start and while you are taking Axiron.

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

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

Axiron is a controlled substance (CIII) because it contains testosterone that can be a target for people who abuse prescription medicines. Keep your Axiron in a safe place to protect it. Never give Axiron to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms you have. Selling or giving away this medicine may harm others and it is against the law.

Axiron is not meant for use in women.

Who should not use Axiron?

Do not use Axiron if you:

• have breast cancer
• have or might have prostate cancer
• are pregnant or may become pregnant or are breast-feeding. Axiron may harm your unborn or breast-feeding baby.

Women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should avoid contact with the area of skin where Axiron has been applied.

Talk to your healthcare provider before taking this medicine if you have any of the above conditions.

AndroGel 1% is a prescription medicine that contains testosterone. AndroGel 1% is used to treat adult males who have low or no testosterone due to certain medical conditions.

Your healthcare provider will test your blood before you start and while you are taking AndroGel 1%.

It is not known if AndroGel 1% is safe or effective to treat men who have low testosterone due to aging.

It is not known if AndroGel 1% is safe or effective in children younger than 18 years old. Improper use of AndroGel 1% may affect bone growth in children.

AndroGel 1% is a controlled substance (CIII) because it contains testosterone that can be a target for people who abuse prescription medicines. Keep your AndroGel 1% in a safe place to protect it. Never give your AndroGel 1% to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms you have. Selling or giving away this medicine may harm others and is against the law.

AndroGel 1% is not meant for use in women.

Who should not use AndroGel 1%?

Do not use AndroGel 1% if you:

• have breast cancer
• have or might have prostate cancer
• are pregnant or may become pregnant or breast-feeding. AndroGel 1% may harm your unborn or breast-feeding baby.
  Women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should avoid contact with the area of skin where AndroGel 1% has been applied.

Talk to your healthcare provider before taking this medicine if you have any of the above conditions.

Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Using Axiron with other medicines can affect each other.

Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take:

• insulin
• medicines that decrease blood clotting
• corticosteroids

Know the medicines you take. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of all of your medicines if you are not sure. Keep a list of them and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

Especially, tell your healthcare provider if you take:

• insulin
• corticosteroids
• medicines that decrease blood clotting

Know the medicines you take. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of these medicines, if you are not sure. Keep a list of them and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

• It is important that you apply Axiron exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to.
• Your healthcare provider will tell you how much Axiron to apply and when to apply it.
• Your healthcare provider may change your Axiron dose. Do not change your Axiron dose without talking to your healthcare provider.
• Axiron is to be applied to the armpits only. Do not apply Axiron to any other parts of your body such as your stomach area (abdomen), penis, scrotum, shoulders or upper arms.
• Do not apply Axiron with your fingers or hands.
• Apply Axiron at about the same time each morning. Axiron should be applied after showering or bathing.
• Avoid swimming or bathing for at least 2 hours after you apply Axiron.
• You can use an antiperspirant or deodorant before applying Axiron. If you use antiperspirant or deodorant, then it should be applied at least 2 minutes before you apply Axiron.
• Axiron is flammable until dry. Let Axiron dry before smoking or going near an open flame.
• Avoid splashing in the eyes. In case of contact with eyes, flush thoroughly with water. If irritation persists, seek medical advice.

• It is important that you apply AndroGel 1% exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to.
• Your healthcare provider will tell you how much AndroGel 1% to apply and when to apply it.
• Your healthcare provider may change your AndroGel 1% dose. Do not change your AndroGel 1% dose without talking to your healthcare provider.
• AndroGel 1% is to be applied to the area of your shoulders, upper arms, or abdomen that will be covered by a short sleeve t-shirt. Do not apply AndroGel 1% to any other parts of your body such as your penis, scrotum, chest, armpits (axillae), knees, or back.
• Apply AndroGel 1% at the same time each morning. AndroGel 1% should be applied after showering or bathing.
• Wash your hands right away with soap and water after applying AndroGel 1%.
• Avoid showering, swimming, or bathing for at least 5 hours after you apply AndroGel 1%.
• AndroGel 1% is flammable until dry. Let AndroGel 1% dry before smoking or going near an open flame.
• Let the application areas dry completely before putting on a t-shirt.

Applying AndroGel 1%:

AndroGel 1% comes in a pump or in packets.

• Before applying AndroGel 1%, make sure that your shoulders, upper arms, and abdomen are clean, dry, and there is no broken skin.
• The application sites for AndroGel 1% are the shoulders, upper arms, or abdomen that will be covered by a short sleeve t-shirt