Testosterone+thiomersal
About
Testosterone+thiomersal is an androgen (male sex hormone) that belongs to the class of anabolic steroids’ primarily used to treat low testosterone (natural male hormone or androgen) levels in men with male hypogonadism, delayed puberty, and male infertility. Hypogonadism, also known as gonad deficiency, is a condition that occurs when the sex glands or gonads (testes in men) produce little or no hormones.
Testosterone+thiomersal contains Testosterone (steroid hormone) and Thiomersal (preservative). Natural testosterone is a male sex hormone produced in the adrenal gland and testes, which maintains the development and growth of male sex organs by acting as a supplement to the natural male hormone, testosterone. Thiomersal is used as a preservative that possesses antiseptic and antifungal action.
Your doctor will decide the dosage depending on your medical condition. The common side effects of Testosterone+thiomersal include breast enlargement in males, weight gain, acne, hair loss, trouble sleeping, irregular heartbeat, and pain at the injection site. These side effects are not familiar to everyone and vary individually. If you notice any side effects that are not manageable, please consult your doctor.
Let your doctor know if you experience any undesirable effects or allergic reactions while using Testosterone+thiomersal. Before starting Testosterone+thiomersal, let your doctor know if you have any medical history of liver or kidney diseases, fits, migraine, blood disorders, fluid retention, prostate cancer or enlarged prostate, breast cancer, high blood calcium levels (hypercalcaemia), diabetes, and high cholesterol levels. Testosterone+thiomersal is not recommended to use for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Do not take or stop this medicine, if the doctor did not advise you to do so.
Uses of Testosterone+thiomersal
Medicinal Benefits
Testosterone+thiomersal contains Testosterone and Thiomersal. Testosterone is a male sex hormone that helps treat male hypogonadism and male infertility due to low testosterone hormone levels. Testosterone helps replace low testosterone levels in male patients, thereby maintaining the development and growth of male sex organs. It acts similar to the natural hormone, testosterone. Thiomersal is used as a preservative in various cosmetics, topical pharmaceutical and biological products, including vaccines. It also exerts antiseptic and antifungal action and prevents fungal and bacterial growth. Testosterone+thiomersal helps in maintaining proper sexual functions and develops secondary sexual characteristics in men.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Testosterone+thiomersal
- Breast enlargement in males
- Weight gain
- Acne
- Hair loss
- Trouble sleeping
- Irregular heartbeat
- Pain at the injection site
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take or stop this medicine, if the doctor did not advise you to do so. Inform your doctor if you have any allergic reactions to Testosterone+thiomersal or other medications. Before starting Testosterone+thiomersal, let your doctor know if you have any medical history of liver or kidney diseases, fits, migraine, fluid retention, heart diseases, prostate cancer or enlarged prostate, breast cancer, high blood calcium levels (hypercalcaemia), diabetes, high cholesterol levels, and blood disorders (polycythaemia). Testosterone+thiomersal is not recommended for use in pregnant and breastfeeding women. Testosterone+thiomersal is not indicated for children younger than 12 years of age. Close monitoring of heart function with an electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiography (2D Echo) is advised as the use of Testosterone+thiomersal increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Testosterone+thiomersal may interact with corticosteroids, blood thinners, antidiabetic drugs (glimepiride), hormones (levothyroxine), antirheumatic drugs (leflunomide), and antifungals (fluconazole).
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Testosterone+thiomersal should be used with caution in cases of liver or kidney diseases, fits, migraine, fluid retention, heart diseases, prostate cancer or enlarged prostate, breast cancer, high blood calcium levels (hypercalcaemia), diabetes, high cholesterol levels, and blood disorders (polycythaemia).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is not known how alcohol consumption affects the usage of Testosterone+thiomersal. Please consult your doctor for more information.
Pregnancy
unsafeTestosterone+thiomersal is not recommended for use during pregnancy since it can affect the unborn baby.
Breast Feeding
unsafeTestosterone+thiomersal is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women.
Driving
safe if prescribedTestosterone+thiomersal is safe to use and have no interactions with driving. However, do not drive or operate machinery if you experience any unmanageable side effects with Testosterone+thiomersal and seek medical advice.
Liver
cautionPlease let your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment when you are prescribed Testosterone+thiomersal.
Kidney
cautionPlease let your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases when you are prescribed Testosterone+thiomersal.
Children
unsafeSafety and efficacy of Testosterone+thiomersal have not been established in children below 12 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a fibre-rich diet and include healthy carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- Eat at regular intervals.
- Keep your weight under control with BMI of 19.5-24.9.
- A good night’s sleep helps in restoring testosterone levels in men.
- Losing excess weight can help boost testosterone levels.
- Zinc containing foods like beans, nuts, crabs, lobster, red meat, and poultry help improve hypogonadism, which is due to zinc deficiency.
- Cut on excess sugar foods consumption.
Special Advise
- Testosterone+thiomersal may cause liver functioning tests changes, hence informing the laboratory staff in advance that you are using Testosterone+thiomersal.
- Your doctor may advise tests for haemoglobin and haematocrit levels to detect any occurrence of polycythaemia (increased number of red blood cells).
- Testosterone+thiomersal may cause positive results in drug tests.
- X-ray of the hand and wrist are advised every six months during the course since Testosterone+thiomersal may affect bone development.
- Testosterone+thiomersal may also affect thyroid test results, hence inform the lab staff in advance that you use Testosterone+thiomersal.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypogonadism: It is also known as gonad deficiency. Hypogonadism is a condition that occurs when the sex glands or gonads (testes in men and ovaries in women) produce little or no hormones. When this condition happens in males, it is defined as low serum testosterone or andropause. There are two types of hypogonadism, namely primary and central. Primary hypogonadism is a condition where your gonads aren’t producing sufficient hormones due to an underlying problem. Central hypogonadism occurs when the hypothalamus and pituitary gland regions that control gonads do not work properly. Symptoms of hypogonadism in males include loss of body hair, muscle loss, abnormal breast growth, reduced growth of penis and testicles, erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis, and infertility.
Delayed puberty occurs when a teenager has sexual characteristics delayed than the usual age of puberty.
FAQs
Testosterone+thiomersal contains Testosterone and Thiomersal. When your body cannot produce enough testosterone, Testosterone+thiomersal is used to replace it. It helps treat hypogonadism and infertility problems by supplementing as a natural male hormone.
Testosterone+thiomersal may cause weight gain. If you experience any significant weight changes while using Testosterone+thiomersal, please consult your doctor and do as prescribed. Maintain a healthy lifestyle to control your weight while using Testosterone+thiomersal.
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose.
Testosterone+thiomersal should be used with caution and under doctor’s supervision only if you have any past medical history of liver or kidney diseases, fits, migraine, blood disorders, fluid retention, heart diseases, prostate cancer or enlarged prostate, breast cancer, high blood calcium levels (hypercalcaemia), diabetes, and high cholesterol levels.
Testosterone+thiomersal may affect the growth of bones in boys when used for treating delayed puberty. Hence it is advised to monitor the bone development with an x-ray of the hand and wrist every six months during the course.