Androgens
Trade Names:
Testex, Halotestin, Teslac
Type of Drug:
Androgens belong to the general group of drugs known as hormones or hormone antagonists. They are used to treat several types of cancer that are sensitive to hormones, including breast cancer.
How Drug Works:
Androgens appear to change the hormonal environment in the cancer cell. This takes away the stimulus to grow, and the cancer cell does not divide. The exact mechanism is unknown.
How Drug Is Given:
Androgens can be given as a pill every day by mouth or by an injection in the muscle weekly. Your doctor will decide the type of androgen, dose, and frequency. Keep the medicine in a tightly closed container and out of the reach of children and pets.
How Should I Take This Drug?
Take this drug exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand the instructions, ask your doctor or nurse to explain them to you.
Read the following information. If you do not understand it or if any of it causes you special concern, check with your doctor.

Before taking this drug, tell your doctor:

  • If you are trying to become pregnant, are pregnant, or breastfeeding. This drug may cause birth defects if either the male or female is taking it at the time of conception or during pregnancy. Men and women who are taking this drug need to use some kind of birth control. However, do not use oral contraceptives (“the pill”) without checking with your doctor.

  • If you think you may want to have children in the future. Many chemotherapy drugs can cause sterility.

    If you have any of the following medical problems: chickenpox or exposure to chickenpox, gout, heart disease, congestive heart failure, shingles, kidney stones, liver disease, or other forms of cancer.

  • If you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs, including vitamins and herbals.
Should I avoid any other medicines, foods, alcohol, and/or activities?
Your prescription and nonprescription medicines may interact with other drugs, causing harm. Certain foods or alcohol can also interact with drug products. Never begin taking a new medicine—prescription or nonprescription—without asking your doctor or nurse if it will interact with alcohol, food, or other medicines. Some drug products can cause drowsiness and affect activities such as driving.
Precautions:
Androgens may cause you to retain salt and water. Your doctor may prescribe a diuretic (“water pill”). Tell your doctor or nurse if you gain weight or your feet or ankles swell.
Increased blood calcium may occur when you start the drug if you have cancer in the bones. Your doctor will monitor your blood calcium levels.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you start becoming drowsy, are more thirsty, constipated, and have to urinate frequently.
Women receiving androgens will notice their voice deepening after a period of time. If you take the drug for more than 3 months, you may have less interest in sex, more body hair, and acne. Talk to your doctor or nurse about this.
Tell your doctor if you are taking blood-thinning medicines (anticoagulants such as Coumadin). Talk to your doctor about possible drug interactions.
Tell all the doctors, dentists, and pharmacists you visit that you are taking this drug.
  • Most of the following side effects probably will not occur.
  • Your doctor or nurse will want to discuss specific care instructions with you.
  • They can help you understand these side effects and help you deal with them.
Side Effects:
More Common Side Effects
  • Fluid retention
  • Deepening of voice in women
  • Increased body hair and acne in women
Less Common Side Effects
  • Increased blood calcium level
  • Nausea
Rare Side Effects
  • Painful erections in men
Other side effects not listed above can also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop any problems.
FDA Approval: This drug is approved for cancer treatment.