TEST-C (Testosterone Cypionate 250mg)

Testosterone cypionate is a prescription drug. It comes as an injectable solution given into the muscle. Testosterone cypionate is a self-injectable drug. You can give this medication to yourself at home after your doctor shows you how to do so.

Testosterone cypionate is available as the brand-name drug Depo-Testosterone. It’s also available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name drug.

Testosterone cypionate is a controlled substance. This means it’s regulated by the government.

Testosterone cypionate is used to treat symptoms of hypogonadism in males. In this condition, males don’t produce enough of the sex hormone testosterone.

Low testosterone levels in males can lead to mood changes, poor concentration, erectile dysfunction (trouble getting or keeping an erection), and low sex drive. It can also cause reduced growth of penis and testicles, gynecomastia (breast growth), loss of body hair and muscle mass, anemia, and osteoporosis.

There are two types of hypogonadism: primary and hypogonadotropic. This drug may be used to treat both.

• Primary hypogonadism occurs when the testicles can’t produce enough testosterone.
• Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism occurs when there is damage to parts of the brain (hypothalamus or pituitary gland) that tell the testicles to produce testosterone.

Testosterone cypionate is also prescribed off-label for testosterone therapy for transgender men and gender diverse people. Off-label means a doctor can prescribe the medication for a different use than what it was approved for.

Testosterone cypionate belongs to a class of drugs called androgens. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

Testosterone cypionate works to treat hypogonadism in males by replacing the testosterone your body is unable to make.

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

• Heart attack. Symptoms can include:
  • chest pain
  • shortness of breath
  • discomfort in your upper body
• Stroke. Symptoms can include:
  • weakness in one part or side of your body
  • slurred speech
• Enlargement of your prostate gland. Symptoms can include:
  • frequent or urgent need to urinate
  • nocturia (need to urinate more often at night)
  • trouble starting urination
  • weak urine stream or a stream that stops and starts
  • dribbling at the end of urination
  • straining while urinating
  • not being able to completely empty your bladder
• Prostate cancer. Your doctor should check for prostate cancer or any prostate problems before and during treatment with this drug, especially if you’re 65 years or older.
• Liver problems. Symptoms can include:
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • stomach pain and swelling
  • swelling in your legs and ankles
  • bruising more easily than normal
  • pale-colored stool
  • unusual or unexplained tiredness
  • loss of appetite
  • dark-colored urine
  • yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
• Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the deep veins of your legs). Symptoms can include:
  • swelling of your leg
  • pain in your leg
• Pulmonary embolism (blood clots in your lungs). Symptoms can include:
  • shortness of breath
  • chest pain or discomfort that gets worse when you take a deep breath or when you cough
  • feeling lightheaded or dizzy, or fainting
  • fast pulse
  • coughing up blood
• Polycythemia (increase in your red blood cell count). Symptoms can include:
  • reddening in your face
  • headaches
  • confusion
  • stroke
  • blood clots
  • tiredness
  • decrease in mental alertness