Testosterone (Between cheek and gum)

Introduction

Testosterone (tes-TOS-ter-one)

Treats a lack of testosterone when your body does not make enough of its own natural testosterone. Testosterone is a male hormone.

Brand Name(s)

Striant

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Lozenge

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Each Striant? lozenge (buccal system) comes in a blister pack. Keep the lozenge in the blister pack until you are ready to use it.
• Before using the lozenge, make sure you know exactly how to place it in your mouth. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you the proper place on your gums if you are not sure.
• The lozenge has one flat side and one round side. The round side goes against your gum. The flat side goes against your cheek.
• When you are ready to put a lozenge in your mouth, start by putting the flat side of the lozenge on your fingertip. Place the lozenge up against your gum and to the left or right of your two front teeth. Gently push the lozenge up as high as it will go on your gum. Take your finger out of your mouth and push on the lozenge from the outside of your upper lip for at least 30 seconds. The lozenge should stick to your gum. It is okay if it sticks to your cheek instead of your gum.
• Do not chew or swallow the lozenge.
• Each time you put in a new lozenge, put it on the side opposite from where you put the last lozenge. If you put the morning lozenge on the right side, put the evening lozenge on the left side.
• The lozenge will stay in your mouth all the time. It will get softer and slowly melt, but will not melt completely. You will need to take it out after 12 hours. Use your finger to gently loosen the lozenge. Then carefully slide it down along your tooth, and take it out of your mouth.
• Unless you are changing lozenges, keep the lozenge in your mouth when you eat or brush your teeth. After eating or brushing your teeth, check to make sure the lozenge is still in place.
• Unless your doctor tells you differently, use this medicine two times a day, once in the morning and once in the evening (about 12 hours apart). You might find it easiest to put your lozenge on your gums after you have eaten breakfast and brushed your teeth, and after you have eaten your evening meal.

If a dose is missed:

• If the lozenge will not stick or falls off within the first 8 hours, take the lozenge out of your mouth and put in a new one. Then use your next lozenge at the regularly scheduled time.
• If the lozenge falls off after it has been in your mouth for more than 8 hours, take the lozenge out of your mouth and put in a new one. This will count as your next dose because it was close to the regularly scheduled time.
• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Make sure you dispose of the used lozenge in a place where children or pets cannot get to it.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using oxyphenbutazone (Tandearil®), insulin, or any kind of steroid (such as corticotropin, cortisone, prednisone, Acthar®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you have heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, diabetes, or problems with your prostate.
• Striant? may irritate your gums or mouth when you first start using it. Your gums or mouth might feel a little sore, swollen, or tender, or they may look red. These problems should go away within 1 to 14 days. Tell your doctor if these problems do not go away or if you have severe pain, tenderness, swelling, or redness.
• Inspect your gums and mouth regularly while you are using this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any changes in how your gums or mouth look or feel.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Breathing problems, including increased snoring or changes in how you breathe when sleeping
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in your upper stomach
• Rapid weight gain
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
• Trouble urinating, or change in how much or how often you urinate
• Yellow skin or eyes

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Bitter taste in your mouth
• Breast swelling
• Emotional changes, depression
• Painful, prolonged erection of your penis

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088