Aveed Injection: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Aveed Injection contains testosterone undecanoate and belongs to the androgens and anabolic steroids drug class. It is a prescription medicine given as an injection to treat adult men who have low or no testosterone due to certain medical conditions. Aveed works like the body's natural testosterone hormone, helping restore testosterone to the normal physiological range and improve related symptoms.

What is Aveed Injection

Aveed is a prescription medicine that contains testosterone. It is given as an injection to treat adult men who have low or no testosterone due to certain medical conditions.

Aveed Injection uses

• Treating low or no testosterone in adult men caused by certain medical conditions (testosterone replacement therapy)
• Treats low testosterone levels due to certain medical conditions
• Helps improve symptoms associated with testosterone deficiency, such as low libido, reduced energy, and decreased muscle mass
• Helps restore testosterone to the normal physiological range

Benefits of Aveed Injection

• Raises testosterone to normal, healthy levels in men with low testosterone
• Helps restore testosterone levels to the normal range
• May improve low sexual desire (libido)
• May help improve energy and overall well-being
• May support muscle mass and strength
• May help maintain bone strength
• May improve some symptoms associated with testosterone deficiency

How Aveed Injection works

Aveed works like the body's natural testosterone hormone. It raises testosterone back to normal, healthy levels in men whose bodies do not make enough, helping with things like muscle and bone strength and sex drive.

Aveed Injection dosage

Aveed is given by injection deep into the muscle of the buttock by a healthcare professional; it is not self-administered at home. You will get an injection when you start, another injection 4 weeks later, and then an injection every 10 weeks after that. Your doctor will alternate between the left and right buttock for each injection.

You must stay in the doctor's office, clinic, or hospital for at least 30 minutes after each injection so you can be watched for signs of a serious lung reaction or allergic reaction. Aveed can only be given at a doctor's office, clinic, or hospital, not at home.

Your doctor will test your blood before you start and while you are receiving this medicine. Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while receiving this medicine.

Available forms and strengths

Aveed is available as an injection (intramuscular solution).

Side effects of Aveed Injection

Common

• Acne or pimples
• Injection site pain, redness, bruising, bleeding, or a hard lump
• Increased prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level
• Increased estrogen (estradiol) level
• Low testosterone level
• Feeling tired
• Irritability
• Increased red blood cell count
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Mood swings
• Breast swelling
• Increased facial or body hair growth, male-pattern baldness
• Increased or decreased interest in sex
• Headache, anxiety, depressed mood
• Increased blood pressure
• Numbness or tingling feeling
• Abnormal liver function tests
• Not able to ejaculate semen
• Muscle or joint pain, difficulty moving
• Weight gain

Serious

• Signs of a serious lung problem (pulmonary oil microembolism): cough or urge to cough, difficulty breathing, sweating, tightening of the throat, chest pain, dizziness, fainting
• Signs of a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis): rash, hives, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling of the hands, face, or mouth
• Chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder (possible heart attack)
• Signs of a stroke: sudden numbness or weakness especially on one side of the body, severe headache, slurred speech, balance problems
• Signs of a blood clot in an arm or leg: swelling, warmth, or redness
• Signs of a blood clot in the lung: chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, coughing up blood
• Increased blood pressure that could raise the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death
• Worsening enlarged prostate symptoms: increased urination at night, trouble starting urine stream, frequent urge to urinate, urine accidents, being unable to pass urine or weak urine flow
• Increased risk of prostate cancer
• Liver problems: right-sided upper stomach pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Swelling in the ankles, feet, or body, rapid weight gain
• Breathing problems during sleep (sleep apnea)
• A seizure
• Unusual changes in mood or behavior, including suicidal thoughts
• High calcium level in the blood: stomach pain, constipation, increased thirst or urination, muscle pain or weakness, joint pain, confusion, feeling tired or restless
• High potassium level: nausea, weakness, tingling feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement
• Increased or ongoing erection of the penis, ejaculation problems, decreased amount of semen, decrease in testicle size
• Painful or difficult urination, loss of bladder control
• In women: acne, changes in menstrual periods, male-pattern hair growth, hoarse or deepened voice, enlarged clitoris (may be irreversible)

Warnings and precautions

Aveed can cause a serious lung reaction called pulmonary oil microembolism, with symptoms like cough, trouble breathing, sweating, throat tightening, chest pain, dizziness, or fainting. It can also cause a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). These reactions can happen with any dose, including the first one. You must be watched by a healthcare provider for at least 30 minutes after each injection to check for these serious reactions.

Aveed can raise blood pressure, which can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death. Do not use Aveed if you have breast cancer, prostate cancer or suspected prostate cancer, or are pregnant. Misusing testosterone can cause dangerous or irreversible effects, and it is against the law to share, sell, or give away this medicine. Aveed is only available through a restricted program because of these serious risks, and can only be given at a doctor's office, clinic, or hospital.

Aveed must not be used in women who are pregnant because it can harm an unborn baby. Women using testosterone should not breastfeed.

This medicine should not be used if you have severe kidney disease, and swelling problems from this medicine can be more serious in people with kidney disease.

This medicine should not be used if you have severe liver disease. Watch for signs of liver problems such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Testosterone and hematocrit/hemoglobin should be monitored during treatment because testosterone can increase red blood cell counts. Seek medical attention for leg swelling/pain, sudden breathing difficulty, or chest pain. Aveed may increase blood pressure; monitoring is recommended.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Tell your care team right away if you feel a tight feeling in your throat, a sudden urge to cough, or feel light-headed or short of breath during or shortly after the injection.
• Call your doctor right away if you have chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder, or shortness of breath.
• Call your doctor right away if you notice swelling in your ankles or feet, or rapid weight gain.
• Call your doctor right away if you have signs of a stroke, such as sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), severe headache, slurred speech, or balance problems.
• Call your doctor right away if you have signs of a blood clot, such as swelling, warmth, or redness in an arm or leg, or chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, or coughing up blood.
• Call your doctor right away if you have signs of liver problems, such as right-sided upper stomach pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
• Call your doctor right away if you have unusual changes in mood or behavior, including feeling agitated, irritable, or having suicidal thoughts.

Alternatives

• AndroGel
• Xyosted
• Jatenzo
• Depo-Testosterone