Republished September 9, 2024
Testosterone is a hormone in the body that is primarily responsible for the normal growth and development of male sexual and reproductive organs. It is important in maintaining bone health, energy levels, mood, and sexual desire. If men have low testosterone levels, doctors may prescribe testosterone gel products, such as AndroGel Pump and Testim 1%, to restore normal levels of testosterone.
The gel is easy to use. It is applied once daily to the shoulders or upper arms. However, some products may vary, so it is important to talk to your pharmacist and read that package insert for how and where to apply the gel. The area should be covered to avoid skin contact with other people. Also, people who use these products need to wash their hands after applying the medicine.
Adverse effects can occur in children and women who are accidentally exposed to the drug. The drug can cause harm to a pregnant woman’s developing fetus and can cause the development of masculine characteristics in children and women. Unfortunately, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received reports about these products causing adverse effects in children. These events occurred because of skin-to-skin contact with a person using the drug. The children ranged in age from 9 months to 5 years. They had signs of enlarged reproductive organs, increased sexual feelings, growth of pubic hair, advanced bone age, and aggressive behavior. In most cases, the adverse effects went away when the child was no longer exposed to the drug.
FDA now requires stronger warnings on the product labels about the risk of accidental exposure.
Here’s what you can do: To help prevent accidental exposure, consider the following:
