Depo-Testosterone (Testosterone Cypionate) - Drug Interactions, Contraindications, Overdosage, etc

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Drug/Laboratory test Interferences

Androgens may decrease levels of thyroxine-binding globulin, resulting in decreased total T₄ serum levels and increased resin uptake of T₃ and T₄. Free thyroid hormone levels remain unchanged, however, and there is no clinical evidence of thyroid dysfunction.

Carcinogenesis

Animal data

Testosterone has been tested by subcutaneous injection and implantation in mice and rats. The implant induced cervical-uterine tumors in mice, which metastasized in some cases. There is suggestive evidence that injection of testosterone into some strains of female mice increases their susceptibility to hepatoma. Testosterone is also known to increase the number of tumors and decrease the degree of differentiation of chemically induced carcinomas of the liver in rats.

Human data

There are rare reports of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients receiving long-term therapy with androgens in high doses. Withdrawal of the drugs did not lead to regression of the tumors in all cases.

Geriatric patients treated with androgens may be at an increased risk of developing prostatic hypertrophy and prostatic carcinoma although conclusive evidence to support this concept is lacking.

OVERDOSAGE

There have been no reports of acute overdosage with the androgens.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

1. Known hypersensitivity to the drug
2. Males with carcinoma of the breast
3. Males with known or suspected carcinoma of the prostate gland
4. Women who are or who may become pregnant
5. Patients with serious cardiac, hepatic or renal disease

DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE

Controlled Substance Class

Testosterone is a controlled substance under the Anabolic Steroids Control Act, and DEPO-Testosterone Injection has been assigned to Schedule III.