Androderm (Page 3 of 6)

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS

7.1 Insulin

Changes in insulin sensitivity or glycemic control may occur in patients treated with androgens. In diabetic patients, the metabolic effects of androgens may decrease blood glucose and, therefore, insulin requirement.

7.2 Oral Anticoagulants

Changes in anticoagulant activity may be seen with androgens. More frequent monitoring of INR and prothrombin time is recommended in patients taking anticoagulants, especially at the initiation and termination of androgen therapy.

7.3 Corticosteroids

The concurrent use of testosterone with ACTH or corticosteroids may result in increased fluid retention and should be monitored, particularly in patients with cardiac, renal or hepatic disease.

7.4 Triamcinolone

  • The topical administration of 0.1% triamcinolone cream to the skin under the central drug reservoir prior to the application of the ANDRODERM system did not significantly alter transdermal absorption of testosterone; however, the rate of complete adherence was lower.
  • Pretreatment with triamcinolone ointment formulation significantly reduced testosterone absorption from the ANDRODERM system.

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

8.1 Pregnancy

Risk Summary

ANDRODERM is contraindicated in pregnant women. Testosterone is teratogenic and may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman based on data from animal studies and its mechanism of action [see Contraindications ( 4) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.1) ]. Exposure of a female fetus to androgens may result in varying degrees of virilization. In animal developmental studies, exposure to testosterone in utero resulted in hormonal and behavioral changes in offspring and structural impairments of reproductive tissues in female and male offspring. These studies did not meet current standards for nonclinical development toxicity studies. Data

Animal Data

In developmental studies conducted in rats, rabbits, pigs, sheep and rhesus monkeys, pregnant animals received intramuscular injection of testosterone during the period of organogenesis. Testosterone treatment at doses that were comparable to those used for testosterone replacement therapy resulted in structural impairments in both female and male offspring. Structural impairments observed in females included increased ano-genital distance, phallus development, empty scrotum, no external vagina, intrauterine growth retardation, reduced ovarian reserve, and increased ovarian follicular recruitment. Structural impairments seen in male offspring included increased testicular weight, larger seminal tubular lumen diameter, and higher frequency of occluded tubule lumen. Increased pituitary weight was seen in both sexes.

Testosterone exposure in utero also resulted in hormonal and behavioral changes in offspring. Hypertension was observed in pregnant female rats and their offspring exposed to doses approximately twice those used for testosterone replacement therapy.

8.2 Lactation

Risk Summary

ANDRODERM is not indicated for use in women.

8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential

Infertility

Testicular abnormalities have been identified during use of ANDRODERM [see Adverse Reactions (6.1].

During treatment with large doses of exogenous androgens, including ANDRODERM, spermatogenesis may be suppressed through feedback inhibition of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)]. Reduced fertility is observed in some men taking testosterone replacement therapy. Testicular atrophy, subfertility, and infertility have also been reported in men who abuse anabolic androgenic steroids [see Drug Abuse and Dependence (9.2)]. With either type of use, the impact on fertility may be irreversible.

8.4 Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy of ANDRODERM have not been established in males <18 years of age. Improper use may result in acceleration of bone age and premature closure of epiphyses.

8.5 G eriatric Use

There have not been sufficient numbers of geriatric patients involved in controlled clinical studies utilizing ANDRODERM to determine whether efficacy in those over 65 years of age differs from younger patients. Additionally, there are insufficient long-term safety data in geriatric patients utilizing ANDRODERM to assess a potential incremental risk of cardiovascular disease and prostate cancer.

8.6 Renal Impairment

No studies were conducted in patients with renal impairment.

8.7 Hepatic Impairment

No studies were conducted in patients with hepatic impairment.

9 DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE

9.1 Controlled Substance

ANDRODERM contains testosterone, a Schedule III controlled substance in the Controlled Substance Act.

9.2 Abuse

Drug abuse is intentional non-therapeutic use of a drug, even once, for its rewarding psychological and physiological effects. Abuse and misuse of testosterone are seen in male and female adults and adolescents. Testosterone, often in combination with other anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS), and not obtained by prescription through a pharmacy, may be abused by athletes and bodybuilders. There have been reports of misuse by men taking higher doses of legally obtained testosterone than prescribed and continuing testosterone despite adverse events or against medical advice.

Abuse-Related Adverse Reactions

Serious adverse reactions have been reported in individuals who abuse anabolic androgenic steroids and include cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular accident, hepatotoxicity, and serious psychiatric manifestations, including major depression, mania, paranoia, psychosis, delusions, hallucinations, hostility and aggression.

The following adverse reactions have also been reported in men: transient ischemic attacks, convulsions, hypomania, irritability, dyslipidemias, testicular atrophy, subfertility, and infertility.

The following additional adverse reactions have been reported in male and female adolescents: premature closure of bony epiphyses with termination of growth, and precocious puberty.

Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size and may include abuse of other agents, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

9.3 Dependence

Behaviors Associated with Addiction

Continued abuse of testosterone and other anabolic steroids, leading to addiction is characterized by the following behaviors:

  • Taking greater dosages than prescribed

  • Continued drug use despite medical and social problems due to drug use

  • Spending significant time to obtain the drug when the supplies of the drug are interrupted

  • Giving a higher priority to drug use than other obligations

  • Having difficulty in discontinuing the drug despite desires and attempts to do so

  • Experiencing withdrawal symptoms upon abrupt discontinuation of use

Physical dependence is characterized by withdrawal symptoms after abrupt drug discontinuation or a significant dose reduction of a drug. Individuals taking supratherapeutic doses of testosterone may experience withdrawal symptoms lasting for weeks or months which include depressed mood, major depression, fatigue, craving, restlessness, irritability, anorexia, insomnia, decreased libido and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

Drug dependence in individuals using approved doses of testosterone for approved indications has not been documented.

10 OVERDOSAGE

No cases of overdose with ANDRODERM have been reported in clinical trials. There is one report of acute overdosage by injection of testosterone enanthate: testosterone concentrations of up to 11,400 ng/dL were implicated in a cerebrovascular accident. Treatment of overdosage would consist of discontinuation of ANDRODERM together with appropriate symptomatic and supportive care.

11 DESCRIPTION

ANDRODERM (testosterone transdermal system) is designed to deliver testosterone continuously for 24 hours following application to intact, non-scrotal skin (e.g., back, abdomen, thighs, upper arms).

Two strengths of ANDRODERM are available that deliver approximately 2 mg or 4 mg of testosterone per day.

ANDRODERM has a central drug delivery reservoir surrounded by a peripheral adhesive area. The ANDRODERM 2 mg/day system has a total contact surface area of 32 cm2 with a 6.0 cm2 central drug delivery reservoir containing 9.7 mg testosterone USP, dissolved in an alcohol-based gel. The ANDRODERM 4 mg/day system has a total contact surface area of 39 cm2 with a 12.0 cm2 central drug delivery reservoir containing 19.5 mg testosterone USP, dissolved in an alcohol-based gel. Testosterone USP is a white, or creamy white crystalline powder or crystals chemically described as 17ß-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one.

Testosterone chemical formula.

The ANDRODERM systems have six components as shown in Figure 1. Proceeding from the top toward the surface attached to the skin, the system is composed of (1) metallized polyester/Surlyn® (ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer)/ethylene vinyl acetate backing film with alcohol resistant ink, (2) a drug reservoir of testosterone USP, alcohol USP, glycerin USP, glycerol monooleate, methyl laurate, sodium hydroxide NF, to adjust pH, and purified water USP, gelled with carbomer copolymer Type B NF, (3) a permeable polyethylene microporous membrane, and (4) a peripheral layer of acrylic adhesive surrounding the central, active drug delivery area of the system. Prior to opening of the system and application to the skin, the central delivery surface of the system is sealed with a peelable laminate disc (5) composed of a five-layer laminate containing polyester/polyesterurethane adhesive/aluminum foil/polyester-urethane adhesive/polyethylene. The disc is attached to and removed with the release liner (6), a silicone-coated polyester film, which is removed before the system can be used.

Figure 1: System Schematic
(click image for full-size original)

The active ingredient in the system is testosterone. The remaining components of the system are pharmacologically inactive.

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