Androgens Flashcards
What medications are a part of the androgens class
- Testosterone cypionate (Depo-testosterone)
- Testosterone gel (Andro-gel)
Testosterone cypionate (Depo-testosterone) is an androgen administered via which route?
IM Injection
What are the FDA approved indications for androgen therapy
Primary or secondary hypogonadism
Endogenous androgens are responsible for effects related to _____
primary/secondary male sex characteristics
(genitalia maturation, increase metabolic rate, increased red blood cell production, skeletal growth, etc.)
Contraindications for androgen therapy include:
- male breast cancer
- prostate cancer (or high risk)
- hematocrit greater than 50%
- severe sleep apnea
- heart failure
- pregnancy
True or false:
Use or abuse of androgens does not affect the normal feedback mechanisms of the male reproductive system
False - patients taking androgens may be at risk for withdrawal, and suppression of normal androgen production may last even after discontinuation
The risk for cardiovascular events associated with androgens is due to its action/changes on:
lipoproteins
_______ is a potentially life threatening adverse effect of androgen therapy
severe hepatic disease
Adverse effects of androgen therapy may differ based on gender - name some for -
Men:
Women:
Men: acne, baldness, scrotal/groin pain, priapism
Women: mentstrual irregularities, virilization
Androgens most commonly interact with the following drug classes:
- anticoagulants
- diabetic agents
- corticosteroids
For patients on androgen therapy, serum testosterone monitoring occurs at baseline and _________
- every 2-3 months after initiating therapy
- annually while on therapy
In addition to monitoring testosterone levels, male patients also require ________ evaluation
- PSA
- digital rectal exam
