Androderm

ANDRODERM- testosterone patch
Allergan, Inc.

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

ANDRODERM is indicated for replacement therapy in adult males for conditions associated with a deficiency or absence of endogenous testosterone.

  • Primary hypogonadism (congenital or acquired): testicular failure due to conditions such as cryptorchidism, bilateral torsion, orchitis, vanishing testis syndrome, orchiectomy, Klinefelter Syndrome, chemotherapy, or toxic damage from alcohol or heavy metals. These men usually have low serum testosterone concentrations and gonadotropins (FSH, LH) above the normal range.
  • Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (congenital or acquired): gonadotropin or luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) deficiency or pituitary-hypothalamic injury from tumors, trauma, or radiation. These men have low testosterone serum concentrations but have gonadotropins in the normal or low range.

Limitations of use

  • Safety and efficacy of ANDRODERM in men with “age-related hypogonadism” (also referred to as “late-onset hypogonadism”) have not been established.
  • Safety and efficacy of ANDRODERM in males less than 18 years old have not been established [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Dosing Information

Prior to initiating ANDRODERM, confirm the diagnosis of hypogonadism by ensuring that serum testosterone concentrations have been measured in the morning on at least two separate days and that these serum testosterone concentrations are below the normal range.

The recommended starting dose is one ANDRODERM 4 mg/day system (not two 2 mg/day systems) applied nightly for 24 hours, delivering approximately 4 mg of testosterone per day. To ensure proper dosing, approximately 2 weeks after starting therapy, the early morning serum testosterone concentration should be measured following system application the previous evening. Serum concentrations outside the range of 400 — 930 ng/dL require increasing the daily dose to 6 mg (i.e., one 4 mg/day and one 2 mg/day system) or decreasing the daily dose to 2 mg (i.e., one 2 mg/day system), maintaining nightly application.

Patients currently maintained on ANDRODERM 2.5 mg/day, 5 mg/day, and 7.5 mg/day may be switched to the 2 mg/day, 4 mg/day, and 6 mg/day dosage using the following schema:

  • Patients using 2.5 mg daily may be switched to 2 mg/day systems at the next scheduled dose.
  • Patients using 5 mg daily may be switched to 4 mg/day systems at the next scheduled dose.
  • Patients using 7.5 mg daily may be switched to 6 mg (2 mg/day and 4 mg/day systems) at the next scheduled dose.

To ensure proper dosing, approximately 2 weeks after switching therapy, the early morning serum testosterone concentration should be measured following system application the previous evening.

The adhesive side of the ANDRODERM system should be applied to a clean, dry area of the skin on the back, abdomen, upper arms, or thighs. Avoid application over bony prominences or on a part of the body that may be subject to prolonged pressure during sleep or sitting (e.g., the deltoid region of the upper arm, the greater trochanter of the femur, and the ischial tuberosity). DO NOT APPLY TO THE SCROTUM. The sites of application should be rotated, with an interval of 7 days between applications to the same site. The area selected should not be oily, damaged, or irritated.

The system should be applied immediately after opening the pouch and removing the protective release liner. The system should be pressed firmly in place, making sure there is good contact with the skin, especially around the edges.

The patient should avoid swimming, showering, or washing the administration site for a minimum of 3 hours after application [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Mild skin irritation may be ameliorated by treatment of the affected skin with over-the-counter topical hydrocortisone cream applied after system removal. Applying a small amount of 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide cream to the skin under the central drug reservoir of the ANDRODERM system has been shown to reduce the incidence and severity of skin irritation.

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

Transdermal system: 2 mg/day and 4 mg/day.

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

  • ANDRODERM is contraindicated in men with carcinoma of the breast or known or suspected carcinoma of the prostate [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
  • ANDRODERM is contraindicated in women who are pregnant. Testosterone can cause virilization of the female fetus when administered to a pregnant woman. If a pregnant woman is exposed to ANDRODERM, she should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1) ].

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Worsening of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Potential Risk of Prostate Cancer

  • Monitor patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) for worsening of signs and symptoms of BPH.

  • Patients treated with androgens may be at increased risk for prostate cancer. Evaluate patients for prostate cancer prior to initiating treatment. It is appropriate to re-evaluate patients 3 to 6 months after initiation of treatment, and then in accordance with prostate cancer screening practices [see Contraindications (4)].

5.2 Polycythemia

Increases in hematocrit, reflective of increases in red blood cell mass, may require lowering or discontinuation of testosterone. Check hematocrit prior to initiating testosterone treatment. It is appropriate to re-evaluate the hematocrit 3 to 6 months after starting testosterone treatment, and then monitor annually. Discontinue testosterone therapy if the hematocrit becomes elevated. Testosterone therapy may be restarted when the hematocrit decreases to an acceptable level. An increase in red blood cell mass may increase the risk of thromboembolic events.

5.3 Venous Thromboembolism

There have been postmarketing reports of venous thromboembolic events, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), in patients using testosterone products such as ANDRODERM. Evaluate patients who report symptoms of pain, edema, warmth and erythema in the lower extremity for DVT and those who present with acute shortness of breath for PE. If a venous thromboembolic event is suspected, discontinue treatment with ANDRODERM and initiate appropriate workup and management [ see Adverse Reactions (6.2)].

5.4 Cardiovascular Risk

Long term clinical safety trials have not been conducted to assess the cardiovascular outcomes of testosterone replacement therapy in men. To date, epidemiologic studies and randomized controlled trials have been inconclusive for determining the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) such as non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, and cardiovascular death, with the use of testosterone compared to non-use. Some studies, but not all, have reported an increased risk of MACE in association with use of testosterone replacement therapy in men. Patients should be informed of this possible risk when deciding whether to use or to continue to use ANDRODERM.

5.5 Abuse of Testosterone and Monitoring of Serum Testosterone Concentrations

Testosterone has been subject to abuse, typically at doses higher than recommended for the approved indication and in combination with other anabolic androgenic steroids. Anabolic androgenic steroid abuse can lead to serious cardiovascular and psychiatric adverse reactions [see Drug Abuse and Dependence (9)].

If testosterone abuse is suspected, check serum testosterone concentrations to ensure they are within therapeutic range. However, testosterone levels may be in the normal or subnormal range in men abusing synthetic testosterone derivatives. Counsel patients concerning the serious adverse reactions associated with abuse of testosterone and anabolic androgenic steroids. Conversely, consider the possibility of testosterone and anabolic androgenic steroid abuse in suspected patients who present with serious cardiovascular or psychiatric adverse events.

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