Estrogens-Methyltestosterone (estrogens,esterified/methyltestosterone)

Dosage of estropipate and esterified estrogens must be individualized according to the condition being treated and the tolerance and therapeutic response of the patient. To minimize the risk of adverse effects, the lowest possible effective dosage should be used. When short-term estrogen therapy is indicated (e.g., for the management of vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause; vulvar and vaginal atrophy), therapy should be discontinued as soon as possible; attempts to reduce dosage or discontinue the drug should be made at 3- to 6-month intervals. Because of the potential increased risk of cardiovascular events, breast cancer, and venous thromboembolic events, estrogen and estrogen/progestin therapy should be limited to the lowest effective doses and shortest duration of therapy consistent with treatment goals and risks for the individual woman. Estrogen and estrogen/progestin therapy should be periodically reevaluated.

Estrogen therapy is administered continuously or cyclically. When estrogens are administered cyclically, the drugs are usually given once daily for 3 weeks, followed by 1 week without the drugs, and then this regimen is repeated as necessary. While estrogen therapy alone may be appropriate in women who have undergone a hysterectomy, many experts currently recommend that a progestin be added to estrogen therapy in women with an intact uterus. Addition of progestin therapy for 10 or more days of a cycle of estrogen administration or daily with estrogen in a continuous regimen has been associated with a decreased incidence of endometrial hyperplasia and the attendant risk of endometrial carcinoma in women with an intact uterus. Morphologic and biochemical studies of the endometrium suggest that 10-13 days of progestin are needed to provide maximum maturation of the endometrium and to eliminate any hyperplastic changes. When a progestin is used in conjunction with an estrogen, the usual precautions associated with progestin therapy should be observed. Clinicians prescribing progestins should be aware of the risks associated with these drugs and the manufacturers' labeling should be consulted. The choice and dosage of a progestin may be important factors in minimizing potential adverse effects.

Dosage of methyltestosterone is variable and should be individualized according to the condition being treated, the severity of symptoms, and the patient's age, gender, and history of prior androgenic therapy.

Diagnosis of male hypogonadism must be confirmed by laboratory testing prior to initiation of methyltestosterone therapy. To confirm this diagnosis, serum testosterone concentrations should be measured in the morning on at least 2 separate days and must be consistently below the normal range. Serum testosterone concentrations may be low later in the day in men with or without hypogonadism; therefore, measuring testosterone concentrations later in the day should be avoided.

Estropipate and esterified estrogens are administered orally.

Methyltestosterone is administered orally; the drug usually is given in divided daily doses. Methyltestosterone also has been administered intrabuccally.

No dosing information is available for this tab.

No dosing information is available for this tab.

Methyltestosterone may potentiate the action of oral anticoagulants, causing bleeding in some patients. When methyltestosterone therapy is initiated in patients receiving oral anticoagulants, dosage reduction of the anticoagulant may be required to prevent an excessive hypoprothrombinemic response. Patients receiving oral anticoagulants also should be closely monitored when androgen therapy is discontinued.

The metabolic effects of androgens may decrease blood glucose concentrations and insulin requirements in patients with diabetes.

There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.

There are no severe interactions for this drug.

There are no moderate interactions for this drug.

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

There are no contraindication contraindications for this drug.

There are no severe contraindications for this drug.

There are no moderate contraindications for this drug.

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

There are no severe adverse reactions for this drug.

There are no less severe adverse reactions for this drug.

No enhanced messaging available.

No enhanced messaging available.

Methyltestosterone may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. Androgenic effects including clitoral hypertrophy, labial fusion of the external genital fold to form a scrotal-like structure, abnormal vaginal development, and persistence of a urogenital sinus have occurred in the female offspring of women who were given androgens during pregnancy. The degree of masculinization is related to the amount of drug given to the woman and the age of the fetus; masculinization is most likely to occur in a female fetus when exposure to androgens occurs during the first trimester. Since the risks clearly outweigh the possible benefits in women who are or may become pregnant, methyltestosterone is contraindicated in such women. Women who become pregnant while receiving the drug should be informed of the potential hazard to the fetus.

It is not known whether methyltestosterone is distributed into milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions to androgens in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to not use methyltestosterone, taking into account the importance of the drug to the woman.

No enhanced messaging available.