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Health Centres - Testosterone enantate injection
How does it work?Testosterone enantate injection contains the active ingredient testosterone enantate, which is an ester of the naturally occurring male hormone 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.
Testosterone enantate injection is known as a depot injection. It is injected into a muscle, where it forms a reservoir of medicine that is gradually converted into testosterone over time. For low testosterone levels the injection is initially given once every two to three weeks, and then every three to six weeks for maintenance treatment. The exact frequency will depend on your individual testosterone level.
Testosterone may also sometimes be used to treat breast cancer in women. The growth of some breast cancers is increased by the female hormone oestrogen and testosterone works by opposing the effects of the oestrogen.
What is it used for?
- Replacement therapy of low testosterone levels in men.
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Breast cancer in women.
Warning!
- Men being treated for low testosterone levels 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.
- Men being treated for low testosterone levels will also need to have regular blood tests to monitor their 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 in men. Your doctor will perform various examinations to make sure you don't have prostate cancer before you start treatment with this medicine. Your doctor may 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
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- Boys who have not yet reached puberty.
- Elderly people.
- Decreased kidney function.
- Decreased liver function.
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Heart failure.
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Heart disease caused by inadequate blood flow to the heart.
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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).
- Blood clotting disorders.
Not to be used in
- Men with breast cancer.
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Prostate cancer.
- Women with advanced breast cancer who also have liver cancer or a history of this, that is not due to the breast cancer spreading.
- Pregnancy.
- Breastfeeding.
- 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 level of calcium in the blood (hypercalcaemia).
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.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- This medicine must not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways.
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