SUSTANON® INJECTION

Sustanon 100Ò is the trade name of an injection containing in each 1 ml Testosterone propionate 20 mg + Testosterone phenylpropionate 40 mg + Testosterone isocaproate 40 mg.

Sustanon 250Ò is the trade name of an injection containing in each 1 ml Testosterone propionate 30 mg + Testosterone phenylpropionate 60 mg + Testosterone isocaproate 60 mg + Testosterone decanoate 100 mg.

Testosterone is the male sex hormone which is produced in the testes (testicles) and which is responsible for regulating sexual function and other metabolic activity in men. It is underproduced in the condition known as male hypogonadism. SustanonÒ contains three (Sustanon 100Ò ) or four (Sustanon 250Ò ) forms of Testosterone which have a very long action when injected into the deep muscle. This is because the various forms are only slowly released from the muscle depot over a period of weeks. SustanonÒ is therefore a form of testosterone hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for men with hypogonadism.

This medicine is not very effective if taken by mouth. Instead your Doctor/Nurse will administer a single injection into the muscle of the buttock, usually every 2 weeks (Sustanon 100Ò ) or 3 weeks (Sustanon 250Ò ) although the frequency of injections may vary in each individual case.

What side effects can be expected?

• Intramuscular injection may cause initial discomfort and for a few hours afterwards. Any pain or discomfort should resolve within a day or so.
• Occasionally there may be indigestion or a feeling of nausea.
• The administration of testosterone-like medicines may be accompanied by headaches, anxiety and mood changes. This is relatively rare but should be discussed with your doctor if it becomes a problem.
• There is a tendency for people to retain fluid and salt while on treatment. This would potentially aggravate hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart conditions such as angina or heart failure.
• Finally, because treatment can stimulate the growth of the prostate gland, you are likely to receive a prostate check up from time to time.

Testosterone and related medicines can increase the effect of warfarin (an anticoagulant) so increasing the risk of bleeding. This is only likely to be a problem when treatment is started and for a short period afterwards. It is easily overcome by adjusting the dose of warfarin.

Similarly, the effect of tablets which might be taken if you are diabetic (Glipizide, Gliclazide, Glibenclamide) can be increased again requiring possible re-adjustment of further treatment for diabetes.

If you are required to keep injection ampoules at home, these should be stored in the original box, protected from light and kept in a cool place.

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Ó NHS Tayside; 2006; version 1.0

Disclaimer; no liability whatsoever is accepted for information given and all such information, especially with regard to drug usage (UK version provided), must be checked with a person’s health provider.