Health Centres - Restandol capsules (testosterone)
How does it work?
Restandol capsules contain the active ingredient testosterone undecanoate, which is an ester of the naturally occurring male hormone testosterone. It is converted in the body to testosterone.
Testosterone is known as an androgen. It is produced by the testicles and is the main hormone essential for normal growth and development of the male sex organs and male sexual characteristics.
The natural production of testosterone is controlled by another set of hormones called gonadotrophins, which are released from the pituitary gland in the brain.
During adult life, testosterone is essential for the production of sperm, the maintenance of sex drive, erectile potency, and the functioning of the prostate gland and other reproductive structures. It also has functions in the skin, muscles, skeleton, kidney, liver, bone marrow and central nervous system.
Low levels of testosterone can cause decreased sex drive, impotence, infertility due to decreased sperm production, decreased mental and physical activity, fatigue and weakening of bones.
Testosterone is given as replacement therapy when natural testosterone levels fall too low, causing symptoms such as those above. Natural testosterone levels fall with age and following surgical removal of the testicles (castration). They may also fall due to decreased functioning of the testicles (hypogonadism or eunuchoidism) caused by testicular disease, or by decreased gonadotrophin production by the pituitary gland, as a result of pituitary disease.
Testosterone replacement allows natural testosterone levels to return to normal, thus relieving the symptoms of the deficiency.
What is it used for?
- Replacement therapy of low testosterone levels in men.
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Male menopause symptoms such as decreased sex drive.
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Osteoporosis in men with low testosterone levels.
Warning!
- Restandol capsules should be swallowed whole after food. They should not be broken, crushed or chewed. Take as directed by your doctor. It is preferable that half of the daily dose is taken in the morning and the other half in the evening. If you take an uneven number of capsules each day, the greater part should be taken in the morning, as the body naturally produces more testosterone in the morning.
- You will need to have blood tests to measure your blood level of testosterone before starting and regularly throughout treatment with this medicine.
- Tell your doctor if you experience symptoms such as frequent or persistent erections, irritability, nervousness or weight gain after starting treatment with this medicine, as these suggest your testosterone levels are too high and your dose may need adjusting.
- You will also need to have regular blood tests to monitor your red blood cells, liver function and prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels.
- Testosterone can increase the growth of prostate cancers and benign enlargement of the prostate. Your doctor will perform various examinations to make sure you don't have prostate cancer before you start treatment with this medicine. Your doctor will need to perform a digital rectal exam to check your prostate gland at least once a year while you are receiving testosterone replacement (more frequently than this if you are elderly or have risk factors for prostate cancer).
Use with caution in
- Boys who have not yet reached puberty.
Not to be used in
- Women.
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
Label warnings
- Take this medication with or after food.
Side effects
- Headache.
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
- Elderly people.
- Decreased kidney function.
- Decreased liver function.
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Heart failure.
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High blood pressure .
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Epilepsy.
- History of migraines.
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Diabetes.
- Cancer that has spread from its original site to the bones (skeletal metastases).
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Cancerous tumour of the kidney cells.
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Lung cancer.
- Children.
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Prostate cancer.
- Men with breast cancer.
- A syndrome caused by kidney inflammation, characterised by a large amount of protein in the urine, swelling, weight gain and high blood pressure (nephrotic syndrome).
- High levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcaemia).
- High levels of calcium in the urine (hypercalciuria).
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Heart disease caused by inadequate blood flow to the heart.
- Untreated heart failure.
- This medication is to be swallowed whole, not chewed.
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Breast pain, enlargement of the breasts.
- Salt and water retention.
- Swelling caused by fluid retention (oedema).
- Weight gain.
- Hair loss.
- Acne.
- Depression.
- Hostility.
- Nervousness.
- Prostate problems.
- Persistent painful erection of the penis (priapism).
- Decreased sperm count.
- Reduced volume of ejaculation.
- Increased levels of red blood cells and haemoglobin in the blood.
- Jaundice.
- Liver tumours.
- Premature sexual development when used in young boys.
- When used in young boys - premature closure of the ends of bones, causing stunted growth.
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