Product Details

What you need to know before you use Testavan Gel

Who can use Testavan – Only men can use Testavan. – Young men under the age of 18 years should not use this medicine. – This medicine should not be used by females of any age. – Do not allow women (especially women that are pregnant or breast-feeding) or children to come into contact with Testavan gel or the areas of skin where Testavan has been applied. Do not use Testavan: – if you are allergic to testosterone or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6) – if you have or are suspected of having prostate cancer – if you have or are suspected of having breast cancer (a rare condition for men). Warnings and precautions Testosterone treatment can speed up the progress of pre-existing prostate cancer. Your doctor will do the necessary tests before you can use Testavan and do follow-up check by carrying out periodic blood tests and prostate examinations. Talk to your doctor before using Testavan, if you have or ever had any of the following: – you have difficulty in passing water (urinating) due to an enlarged prostate gland – you have bone cancer – your doctor will check your calcium levels – you have high blood pressure, or if you are treated for high blood pressure, as Testavan may cause a rise in blood pressure – you have severe heart, liver or kidney disease, as treatment with Testavan may cause severe complications in the form of water retention in your body sometimes accompanied by (congestive) heart failure (overload in the heart) – you have ischaemic heart disease (which affects the supply of blood to the heart) – blood clotting problems – thrombophilia (an abnormality of blood coagulation that increases the risk of thrombosis – blood clots in blood vessels) – factors that increase your risk for blood clots in a vein: previous blood clots in a vein; smoking; obesity; cancer; immobility; if one of your immediate family has had a blood clot in the leg, lung or other organ at a young age (e.g. below the age of about 50); or as you get older. – How to recognise a blood clot: painful swelling of one leg or sudden change in colour of the skin e.g. turning pale, red or blue, sudden breathlessness, sudden unexplained cough which may bring up blood; or sudden chest pain, severe light headedness or dizziness, severe pain in your stomach, sudden loss of vision. Seek urgent medical attention if you experience one of these symptoms. – you have epilepsy – you have migraines – you have breathing difficulties when you sleep – these are more likely to happen if you are overweight or have long term lung problems If any of the above apply to you (or you are not sure), talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Testavan – using this medicine may make these conditions worse. If you develop reactions on your skin where you applied the Testavan, go back to your doctor to seek advice. It may be necessary to stop the treatment with Testavan. The following blood checks should be carried out by your doctor before and/or during the treatment: testosterone blood levels, full blood count. At the time of, and just after, the daily application of Testavan, do not apply moisturisers or sunscreen products to the area where you have put the gel How to prevent transfer of Testavan to someone else 3 Testavan can transfer to others by close skin-to-skin contact. This may result in increased testosterone levels in their body – this can be dangerous. This can happen from one contact – but it can also build up bit by bit with small amounts of contact over time. – This is especially important for women and children – they normally only have low levels of testosterone in their bodies – Pregnant women must not come into contact with Testavan. If your partner is pregnant you must be careful and protect her from any contact with the medicine and the application area. To stop the gel being transferred from your skin to someone else, you should: – use the applicator to apply the medicine rather than your fingers – wash your hands with water and soap straight away if you do get any Testavan on your hands – cover where you have put the gel with clothing – once the gel has dried – have a bath or shower, or wear clothing to cover the gel application site (such as a T-shirt), before having close skin-to-skin contact with anyone In order to improve the safety of your partner you should wash the area with soap for instance during a shower before having sexual intercourse or, if not possible, wear a T-shirt that covers the application site at the time of contact. What to do if someone else is exposed to Testavan If someone touches the gel or has skin-to-skin contact where you have put the gel, they should wash their area of skin with soap and water as soon as possible. The longer that the gel is in contact with the skin before washing, the greater the chance that the person will absorb some testosterone. If Testavan has been transferred to someone else, then look out for any changes in the body or behaviour of people close to you. If anyone close to you gets any of the following signs, they should see their doctor: – acne – deepening of the voice – growth of facial or body hair – changes in their monthly period – early puberty, genital enlargement or changes in level of sexual behaviour of children Other medicines and Testavan Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines. This includes medicines obtained without a prescription and herbal medicines. Testavan may affect how these medicines work and you may need to have your doses adjusted. In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking: – Medicines to thin your blood (anti-coagulants) – Testavan may increase the effects of these drugs – corticosteroids or any other medicines that may increase the production of these hormones. Both corticosteroids and Testavan may cause your body to hold on more water – insulin to control your blood sugar levels (in diabetes); you may need to reduce your dose of insulin when you are in treatment with Testavan. If any of the above apply to you (or you are not sure), talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Testavan Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility Testavan is not intended for use by pregnant or breastfeeding women. If your partner is or becomes pregnant, you must follow the advice above under the heading ‘How to prevent transfer of Testavan to someone else’. 4 Pregnant women must avoid any skin contact with Testavan application sites in men. This medicine may cause damage to the unborn baby. In the event of contact, the area should be washed as soon as possible with soap and water. Breast-feeding women must avoid any contact with Testavanapplication sites in men. Sperm production may be reversibly suppressed with Testavan. Testavan contains propylene glycol This medicine contains propylene glycol, which may cause skin irritation