Testosterone is a naturally occurring sex hormone that is produced in a man’s testicles. Small amounts of testosterone are also produced in a woman’s ovaries and adrenal system.

Testosterone injection is used in men and boys to treat conditions caused by a lack of this hormone, such as delayed puberty, impotence, or other hormonal imbalances. Testosterone injection is also used in women to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

Testosterone injection may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Testosterone injection is given as an shot into a muscle of your buttocks. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. Testosterone injection is usually given every 2 to 4 weeks.

The number of months you need to use testosterone injection will depend on the condition being treated.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Testosterone injection can affect bone growth in boys who are treated for delayed puberty. Bone development may need to be checked with x-rays every 6 months during treatment.

Before receiving testosterone injection, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin);

• insulin or diabetes medication you take by mouth such as glimepiride (Amaryl, Duetact, Avandaryl), glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase), metformin (Actoplus Met, Avandamet, Fortamet, Glucophage Janumet), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and others; or

• steroid medicine such as methylprednisolone (Depo-Medrol, Medrol, Solu-Medrol), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone, others), and others.

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to receive testosterone injection, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect testosterone injection. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while receiving testosterone injection unless your doctor has told you otherwise.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine.

An overdose of testosterone injection is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.

Call your doctor if you miss an appointment for your testosterone injection.

This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby if it is used by a woman during pregnancy. Do not receive testosterone injection if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Do not receive this medication if you have prostate cancer, male breast cancer, if you are pregnant, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a hormone treatment.

Before receiving testosterone injection, tell your doctor if you have benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, high cholesterol, any type of cancer, liver or kidney disease, or heart disease, coronary artery disease, or a history of heart attack.

You should not receive this medication if you have:

• prostate cancer;

• male breast cancer;

• if you are pregnant; or

• if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a hormone treatment.

Before receiving testosterone injection, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH);

• any type of cancer;

• high cholesterol;

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;

• liver or kidney disease; or

• heart disease, coronary artery disease (hardened arteries), congestive heart failure, or a history of heart attack.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to receive testosterone injection, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects. Do not receive testosterone injection if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are receiving this medication.

It is not known whether testosterone injection passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Your pharmacist has information about testosterone injection written for health professionals that you may read.

Testosterone injection is available with a prescription under many different brand names. Generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.