What is methyltesterone?

Methyltestosterone is a drug that belongs to the androgens class of drugs. It is used in men who are not capable of producing themselves the natural substance called testosterone. Therefore, methyltestosterone is indicated as replacement therapy in patients with deficiency or absence of endogenous testosterone. Generally, testosterone is responsible for growth and development of genitals primary and for the development of muscles and bones. Methyltestosterone is similar to the naturally produced testosterone. Other therapeutic indications of methyltestosterone are the following:

·Primary hypogonadism, which is a testicular failure due to cryptorchidism;

·Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism;

·Stimulation of puberty in males with delayed puberty;

·It may also be used in postmenopausal women for 1 to 5 years with advancing inoperable metastatic mammary cancer.

Consult a doctor prior to initiation of therapy with methyltestosterone and assess all risks associated with it for your particular medical condition. Also, read carefully the package insert in order to get better informed about the drug, potential interaction with other drugs and other details related to the therapy with it.

 

Contraindications

·Avoid the use of methyltestosterone if you have a known or apparent hypersensitivity to it or to any of its ingredients;

·It is contraindicated in men with known or suspected carcinoma of the prostate.

·Methyltestosterone is also contraindicated in women who are pregnant or may become pregnant during the therapy with this drug. If used during pregnancy, it may cause abnormal development of the fetus, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy. Prevent your doctor if you become pregnant during therapy with methyltestosterone and discontinue with the drug right away.

 

Warnings and precautions with the drug

It is very important to discuss with a doctor prior to initiation of therapy with methyltestosterone. Take all protective measures in order to avoid developing of severe adverse events.

·Methyltestosterone may cause hypercalcemia in patients with breast cancer by stimulating osteolytis. Such patients need to stay under the supervision of physicians and discontinue with the drug if any symptoms are detected.

·Prolonged use of methyltestosterone may cause peliosis hepatis and hepatic neoplasms including hepatocellular carcinoma. Such complications are severe and require close monitoring. In order to not experience such adverse events, make regular checks at a physician and follow exactly the indications of use and dosage.

·Geriatric patients should exercise caution to the use of methyltestosterone due to the fact that it increases the incidence of prostatic hypertrophy and prostatic carcinoma.

·Patients with pre-existing cardiac, hepatic or renal disease should also exercise caution to the therapy with methyltestosterone. If aggravation of the existing symptoms are observed discontinue with the drug and take appropriate measures to control the symptoms.

·Patients that are being treated with methyltestosterone for hypogonadism are mostly susceptible to gynecomastia.

·Women need to be closely monitored for excluding such adverse reactions as acne, hirsutism, menstrual irregularities, deepening of the voice and clitoromegaly. If any symptoms are detected, discontinue with the drug and treat the symptoms.

Indications of use and dosage

Methyltestosterone is a drug available for oral administration as capsules. It is recommended to follow the therapy exactly as prescribed. The prescribed dose depends on many factors including age, sex and diagnosis of each patient. Therefore, consult a doctor to get prescription of appropriate dosage for your medical situation.

Generally, the replacement therapy in androgen-deficient males is 10 to 50 mg daily. It can be divided in separate doses. It is recommended to start the therapy with the lowest effective doses and increase gradually until the therapy gives the desired therapeutic results.

Women with metastatic breast carcinoma must be supervised closely due to potential acceleration of the disease. The dosage of methyltestosterone for the treatment in breast carcinoma in females is from 50-200 mg daily.

Potential interaction with other drugs

Prior to initiation of therapy with methyltestosterone it is indicated to prevent your doctor about all medicines you take daily, including prescription, non-prescription, vitamins, minerals, herbal products and natural supplements. It is an important measure for avoiding the interaction of methyltestosterone with other medicines. It is not recommended the concomitant administration of methyltestosterone with the following medicines:

·Oral anticoagulants such as methandrostenolone;

·Oxyphenbutazone;

·Insulin and other oral hypoglycemic agents.

Get the complete list of the drugs that can potentially interact with the methyltestosterone and avoid their concurrent administration.

 

Possible side effects with methyltestosterone

Like all medicines, methyltestosterone may cause adverse events while used as prescribed. Generally, the side effects patients may experience with methyltestosterone are mild to moderate in severity. The most common side effects in women are amenorrhea, virilization including clitoral enlaregement and deepening of the voice, inhibition of gonadotropin and menstrual irregularity.

Side effects that male patients may experience are the following:

·Gynecomastia;

·Oligospermia;

·Hirsutism;

·Acne;

·Nausea and vomiting;

·Peliosis hepatis;

·Rarely hepatocellular neoplasms;

·Alterations in liver function tests;

·Cholestatic jaundice;

·Retention of sodium, water and chloride;

·Headache;

·Anxiety;

·Depression;

·Paresthesia;

·Increased libido;

·And rarely anaphylactoid reactions.

The list of the side effects one may experience during therapy with methyltestosterone may not be complete. Discuss with a doctor all the risks for your particular medical condition. Do not get alarmed by the enumerated possible side effects. Every patient reacts in a different way to the medicine and nobody can predict the adverse reactions you may experience during treatment.

If you missed a dose

If you forgot to take methyltestosterone, take it as soon as you remember. If it is already too late to take the skipped dose, leave it and return to your usual schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for the skipped one. Try to not miss more than one dose a day in order to not decrease the effect of the drug. If you have any questions related to the missed dose of methyltestosterone ask a pharmacist or contact a physician.

 

Storage

It is recommended to keep methyltestosterone in a clean and dry place at the room temperature below 30 degrees C. Store the drug away from the direct sunlight, moisture and heat. Keep it out of the reach and sight of children. Also, do not use expired medicine. Always check the expiry date on the bottom of the packaging.