Testosterone undecanoate or testosterone undecylate androgel is an ester of testosterone. This hormone is used in androgen replacement therapy primarily for the treatment of male hypogonadism, and is currently under research for use as a male contraceptive. It is sold and distributed under the brand names Aveed, Andriol, Undestor, Nebido, Pantestone, Restandol, Cernos Depot, Nebido-R and Reandron 1000.
Andriol (testosterone undecanoate) is an orally-active version of the anabolic steroid testosterone developed by Organon. This version of testosterone is based in oil and is sealed in a capsule to be taken orally. According to the manufacturer, this method bypasses the liver and enters the body as a fat through the lymphatic system.
In theory this seems quite interesting, however, athletes find Organon’s claims about Andriol don’t hold up well. In doses of less than 240mg per day effects are generally non-existent. With higher doses, effects are small at best. This leads one to think most of the steroid is not making it to circulation.
Generally, steroid users experienced with any strong anabolics will be disappointed with Andriol’s results. Combined with other anabolics androgel it may lend some effectiveness but should be questioned.
Unlike other oral steroids, Andriol does not go through the liver, instead it goes through the lymphatic system. This allows the steroid to avoid being destructed by the liver, and enter the blood stream, intact. Interestingly, this would set it apart from the other oral steroids which are 17-aa or methylated.
General profile information:
If you have any questions about testosterone undecanoate, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Testosterone undecanoate is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people. If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor. Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take testosterone undecanoate or any other medicine. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about testosterone undecanoate. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to testosterone undecanoate androgel. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using testosterone undecanoate.
Product Description
What it looks like Andriol Testocaps packs are available in 3, 6# or 12 sachets, each containing a blister pack with 10 capsules. Andriol Testocaps capsules are soft oval, glossy, transparent orange coloured capsules with DV3 ORG printed in white. They contain a yellow oil. # commercially available pack. Ingredients Each Andriol Testocap capsule consists of 40 mg of testosterone undecanoate androgel (equivalent to 25.3 mg testosterone) in castor oil and propylene glycol monolaurate. The capsule shells contain the following inactive ingredients: gelatin, glycerol, medium chain triglycerides, lecithin, sunset yellow FCF CI15985 and printed with Opacode WB monogramming ink (ARTG proprietary ingredient 3883). If you have any further questions or require the full prescribing information for this medicine, please consult your doctor or pharmacist. Supplier Andriol Testocaps is supplied: In Australia by: Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia) Pty Limited Level 1 Building A, 26 Talavera Road, Macquarie Park, NSW 2113 Australia In New Zealand by: Merck Sharp & Dohme (New Zealand) Ltd PO Box 99 851 Newmarket Auckland 1149 New Zealand Australian Registration Number: AUST R 92904 This leaflet was prepared in October 2015.
Side Effects
Nausea, vomiting, headache, skin color changes, increased/decreased sexual interest, oily skin, hair loss, and acne may occur. Pain or redness at the injection site may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects when it is used at normal doses.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: breast swelling/tenderness, mental/mood changes (such as depression, agitation, hostility), unusual snoring or difficulty breathing during sleep, swelling hands/ankles/feet, symptoms of liver problems (such as loss of appetite, persistent nausea/vomiting, severe stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine), trouble urinating, too frequent/prolonged erections, fast/irregular heartbeat.
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: shortness of breath/rapid breathing, chest/jaw/left arm pain, unusual sweating, confusion, sudden dizziness/fainting, pain/swelling/warmth in the groin/calf, sudden/severe headaches, trouble speaking, weakness on one side of the body, sudden vision changes.
Rarely, males may have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 or more hours. If this occurs, get medical help right away, or permanent problems could occur.
This medication can decrease sperm production, an effect that may lower male fertility. Consult your doctor for more details.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Andriol effects
Testosterone androgel is the male hormone responsible for gaining muscle, losing fat, gaining strength and other man-like features. Bodybuilders will utilize hormones such as testosterone as performance enhancing drugs during cycles. Usually, pure testosterone can serve as a safe and low side effect way to get a test base during a cycle.
Although it is considered a weak steroid, andriol will still have positive effects on recovery, workouts, and libido when used at higher dosages. Bodybuilders who do not want to inject, or use topicals due to allergies or convenience, can use oral andriol instead without fear of damaging their livers.
It is not recommended you run andriol alone, as it is too weak to see results. If you don’t stack it, you’ll see results comparable to using proviron alone.
Before you use Andriol Testocaps
Do not use Andriol Testocaps if you
have or have had a tumour of your prostate or breast, or are suspected to have one of these tumours.
you have or have had severe kidney disease
you are allergic to testosterone undecanoate or any of the ingredients listed under Product Description, at the end of this leaflet.
Do not use Andriol Testocaps if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Before you start to take it
Andriol Testocaps may not be suitable for you if you suffer from certain medical conditions. Tell your doctor or pharmacist before you start using this medicine if you ever had, still have, or are suspected to have (particularly if you are elderly): heart disease, high blood pressure or blood vessel problems Diabetes mellitus, Kidney disease Kidney or lung cancer; Liver disease; Breast cancer which has spread to the bones; Epilepsy Migraine, headaches Psychiatric or emotional illness Prostatic complaints, such as problems with passing urine. any unusual or allergic reactions to androgens or anabolic steroids Sleep apnoea (temporarily stopping breathing during your sleep), this may get worse if you are using testosterone-containing products. Extra supervision by your doctor may be necessary in case you are overweight or suffer from chronic lung disease. Tell your doctor if you are on a special diet, e.g. low salt, lower sugar and you are taking any other medicines.
Caution: Before taking Andriol Testocaps it is also important to tell your doctor if you have or have ever had too much cholesterol or other fatty substances in the blood. Tell your doctor if you have been treated with other sex hormones recently. During long-term treatment with Andriol Testocaps regular medical checks, including prostate examination, are recommended. Extra supervision by a doctor is necessary in the treatment of young boys.
Taking other medicines Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines – even those not prescribed that you buy from your pharmacy, supermarket or healthfood shop. Other medicines may influence the effects of Andriol Testocaps, or Andriol Testocaps may affect other medicines. Therefore you must tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking (or intend to take) other medicines such as:- barbiturates, (medicines for epilepsy or sleeplessness) antidiabetic drugs cyclosporin Insulin and/or other medicines to control your blood sugar levels*Medicines to reduce the clotting of your blood (anti-coagulants)*
The use of androgens like Andriol Testocaps may lead to a reduction of the doses of these medicines.
Also tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using or about to use the hormone ACTH or corticosteroids (used to treat various conditions such as rheumatism, arthritis, allergic conditions and asthma). The use of androgens like Andriol Testocaps may increase the risk of water retention especially if your heart and liver are not working properly. Andriol Testocaps may interfere with some laboratory tests (e.g for glucose tolerance, thyroid function and clotting factors). Therefore you must tell your doctor or the laboratory staff performing the tests that you are using this medicine. Andriol Testocaps are not intended for use in female patients. Therefore this medicine must not be taken by women who are pregnant or think that they are pregnant, or by women who are breast-feeding. In men, treatment with Andriol Testocaps can lead to fertility disorders by repressing sperm formation. If you are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. This medicine contains Sunset Yellow which may cause allergic reactions. Improper use: If you are a patient who participates in competitions governed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), then you should consult the WADA-code before using this medicine as Andriol Testocaps can interfere with anti-doping testing. The misuse of this medicine to enhance ability in sports carries serious health risks and is to be discouraged.
DOSING
Males over 18 years of age: The recommended dose of testosterone undecanoate androgel is 750 mg (3 ml) intramuscularly; followed by 750 mg (3 ml) intramuscularly after 4 weeks, then 750 mg (3 ml) intramuscularly every 10 weeks thereafter.
Safe and effective use of testosterone undecanoate is not determined for males under 18 years of age.
Do NOT use testosterone undecanoate if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in testosterone undecanoate androgel you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding you have breast cancer or known or suspected prostate cancer
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.