How to Use Depo-Testosterone Injections – Simple Guide

Depo-Testosterone is the brand name form of testosterone cypionate produced by Pfizer, a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer. Injected into the muscle, Depo-Testosterone increases the supply of testosterone for use by the body’s androgen receptors. In this review, we look at the indications and contraindications for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), how to use Depo-Testosterone, precautions, and answer frequently asked questions about this medication.

Depo-Testosterone injection is an oil-soluble, white, or creamy white, odorless, crystalline powder that is insoluble in water, but freely soluble in ether, alcohol, chloroform, and dioxane, and soluble in vegetable oils.

Pfizer provides Depo-Testosterone as 200 mg/mL testosterone cypionate, with each mL of the solution consisting of:

• Testosterone cypionate   200 mg
• Cottonseed oil   560 mg
• Benzyl benzoate   0.2 mL
• Benzyl alcohol (preservative) 9.45 mg

The cypionate ester allows for the slow absorption of testosterone into the bloodstream upon intramuscular injection. Depo-Testosterone has a half-life of about eight days and provides superior results to men with low testosterone levels.

The information provided below highlights why and how to use Depo-Testosterone to treat male Low T, along with potential side effects and necessary precautions to engage in the safe use of testosterone therapy.

Get the facts about how to use Depo-Testosterone from the hormone specialists at Kingsberg Medical!

Indications and Usage

The use of Depo-Testosterone is indicated for men with symptoms of testosterone deficiency, confirmed by way of blood analysis. Low testosterone, or the decline of endogenous testosterone production, can occur at any time. Male testosterone production begins to decrease while most men are still in their mid-twenties. The decline rate is approximately one to two percent each year. Health, weight, sleep, exercise, diet, and stress can all influence the speed at which testosterone levels decrease.

Depo-Testosterone injection administration is indicated as follows:

• Primary hypogonadism: causes of primary hypogonadism can be congenital (at birth) or acquired (in later years), and may include any of the following causes of testicular failure:
  • Bilateral torsion
  • Cryptorchidism
  • Orchidectomy
  • Orchitis
  • Vanishing testis syndrome
• Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: congenital or acquired causes may include:
  • Deficiency of gonadotropin or luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH)
  • Injury or tumor of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, or testes
  • Surgery or radiation to treat a tumor of the above

These are not the only possible causes of low testosterone. Certain medical conditions, medications, steroids, or other substance abuse, and aging can all influence testosterone levels. By learning how to use Depo-Testosterone, it is possible for men to increase the level of testosterone in their bodies – safely and effectively.

Learn how to use Depo-Testosterone safely and effectively to treat the symptoms of testosterone deficiency.

Contraindications

Before learning how to use Depo-Testosterone, familiarize yourself with the contraindications to this medication. Do not use testosterone cypionate if any of the following situations are true:

• Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in testosterone cypionate
• Serious cardiac, renal, or hepatic disease (heart, kidney, or liver)
• Male breast cancer
• Prostate cancer (active)
• Pregnant females

Depo-Testosterone administration carries the following warnings:

• Discontinue if hypercalcemia occurs in immobilized patients
• Prolonged high-dose use can result in potentially life-threatening hepatic adenomas, peliosis hepatis, or hepatocellular carcinoma
• Continued high-dose usage can increase the risk of liver, heart, and blood clot problems
• Depo-Testosterone abuse can cause serious health and emotional problems

Know the Depo-Testosterone contraindications before use.

Precautions

Below is crucial information about how to use Depo-Testosterone for the treatment of testosterone deficiency in adult males:

• Report any side effects such as swelling in the extremities, changes in skin color, nausea, vomiting, or painful or persistent erections to the doctor
• Do not use Depo-Testosterone intravenously or substitute testosterone propionate for this medication
• Acute urethral obstruction may develop in patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy
• Undergo periodic checks of hemoglobin, hematocrit, thyroid, and cholesterol levels
• Depo-Testosterone should not be used by women who are pregnant or nursing
• Children under age 12 should not use Depo-Testosterone as safety and effectiveness have not been established

Depo-Testosterone storage is at room temperature away from light and heat. Do not leave this medication in the car or place it in the freezer.

Following all precautions for how to use Depo-Testosterone makes this medication safe to use as prescribed.

How Is Depo-Testosterone Given?

The following Depo-Testosterone injection instructions are generalized – you will receive your specific directions from our hormone clinic. Do not get caught up with a posted Depo-Testosterone dosage chart that you might see online. General dosages can range from 50 to 400 mg injected once every week or longer. Your doctor will determine the best treatment protocol based on your body’s needs. What works for you may not be right for someone else.

Here are the steps for how to give Depo-Testosterone injections, first by preparing your shot:

• Gather all necessary supplies and take them to a clean, flat work surface
• Check the Depo-Testosterone vial expiration date and ensure the medication is free of crystals and not discolored
• Wash hands with water and soap and dry with a clean towel
• Always wipe the top of the Depo-Testosterone vial with a fresh alcohol swab
• Fill the syringe with air equal to the amount of medication you will withdraw from the vial before inserting the 18 G needle tip into the rubber stopper
• After inserting the needle, push in the plunger forcing all the air into the vial
• Invert the vial to cover the needle tip with the solution and withdraw the prescribed dose, making sure no air bubbles are in the syringe
• Remove the needle from the vial, replace the needle cap, and dispose of it in the Sharps container

The following steps are for how to give Depo-Testosterone shot:

• Attach a fresh intramuscular (IM) needle onto the filled syringe
• Sterilize the injection site with a new alcohol wipe and allow the skin to air dry
• After setting aside the needle cap, insert the needle at a 90-degree angle into the prepared muscle
• Check that no blood enters the syringe by gently pulling back the plunger
• If all clear, push the plunger slowly down until all the medication enters the muscle
• Remove the needle from the skin, replace the cap, and discard the entire unit in the Sharps container

Follow these simple steps for how to use Depo-Testosterone at home.

What Happens If I Miss a Dose?

It is best to stay on schedule with your treatment protocol. However, if you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible unless it is time for your next scheduled injection. Do not double up on your Depo-Testosterone shots. If you have any questions, please contact Kingsberg Medical for guidance.

You may notice a little fatigue or changes in your mood or focus if you go a few days longer than scheduled between treatments. Getting back on the right schedule should reverse those concerns.

What Happens If I Overdose?

There are no reports of individuals overdosing on Depo-Testosterone. That does not mean that taking more testosterone cypionate than prescribed is safe. Do not use Depo-Testosterone unless prescribed by a doctor to treat male hypogonadism. Report any side effects to the prescribing doctor.

Depo-Testosterone Side Effects

Taking the proper dosage for Depo-Testosterone is crucial to prevent the onset of unwanted side effects. Only under doctor supervision can you be assured that you are administering the precise Depo-Testosterone injection dosage for your body’s needs.

When you increase testosterone levels too high, the risk of adverse reactions multiplies exponentially. The possible side effects of Depo-Testosterone include:

• Male pattern baldness
• Increased facial and body hair growth
• Infertility
• Acne
• Oily skin
• Changes in erections
• Depression
• Altered mood
• Fluid retention and swelling
• Blood clots
• Breast enlargement (gynecomastia)
• Headache
• Changes in libido
• Weight loss or gain
• Polycythemia
• Changes in skin color, jaundice
• Anxiety
• Worsening of sleep apnea

More severe yet less common side effects include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain or changes in heart rate
• Slurred or difficult speech
• Weakness on one side of the body
• Changes in urination habits, frequency, or stream
• Abnormal stool color
• Overwhelming fatigue
• Pain or swelling in a leg (sign of blood clot)
• Dizziness or fainting
• Coughing up blood
• Confusion

By learning how to use Depo-Testosterone safely under doctor supervision, you reduce the risk of unwanted side effects.

What Other Drugs Will Affect Depo-Testosterone?

Discuss all medications taken with your doctor before beginning Depo-Testosterone due to possible drug interactions, including oral anticoagulants, insulin (and other diabetes drugs), corticosteroids, and oxyphenbutazone.

Let your doctor know any supplements or over-the-counter medications that you take. These can also interfere with the actions of Depo-Testosterone.

For more information about how to use Depo-Testosterone, or to find out if you can benefit from testosterone therapy, contact Kingsberg Medical for a free consultation by phone.

Brian Leeber