Fortesta Gel: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Fortesta Gel is a prescription medicine containing testosterone, a naturally occurring male hormone. It belongs to the androgens and anabolic steroids drug class and is used to treat conditions in men caused by low or absent natural testosterone. It is applied once daily to the front and inner thighs and is not intended to enhance athletic performance.

What is Fortesta Gel

Fortesta gel is a prescription medicine that contains testosterone. Testosterone is a naturally occurring male hormone necessary for many processes in the body. Fortesta gel is used to treat conditions in men that result from a lack of natural testosterone.

Fortesta Gel uses

• Treats low or absent natural testosterone in men caused by conditions such as primary hypogonadism (a testicular problem) or hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (a pituitary/hypothalamus problem)
• Not for use to enhance athletic performance

Benefits of Fortesta Gel

• Helps treat low testosterone levels (male hypogonadism) when confirmed by a doctor
• Helps restore testosterone to a more normal physiological range
• Can improve sex drive, energy, and overall well-being when symptoms are due to testosterone deficiency
• Helps support muscle mass and strength
• Helps maintain bone density and normal male sexual characteristics

How Fortesta Gel works

Testosterone is the natural male hormone. This medicine is absorbed through the skin, enters your bloodstream, and helps raise your body's testosterone back to normal levels, supporting male sexual characteristics and other body functions that depend on testosterone.

Fortesta Gel dosage

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor and follow all directions on your prescription label; do not use more or less than prescribed or for longer than prescribed. Before using a new canister for the first time, prime the pump by pushing down on it several times and discarding the gel that comes out.

Apply the gel to clean, dry, intact skin of the front and inner thighs only; use one finger to rub it in evenly. Apply the gel in the morning; if you shower or bathe, apply the gel afterward. Only apply to skin that will be covered by shorts or pants, and avoid the area of the thigh next to the genitals. Let the application site dry completely before dressing, then wash your hands right away with soap and water.

Avoid swimming, showering, or bathing for at least 2 hours after applying the gel (some sources say 2 to 5 hours, so follow your specific product's directions). Cover treated skin with clothing to avoid getting the medicine on other people; if someone else touches a treated area, they should wash it right away with soap and water.

Do not apply to the penis, scrotum, or other parts of the body, and do not apply to broken or irritated skin. Do not let anyone else apply this medicine to your body, and do not share this medicine with another person. Use regularly at the same time each day to get the most benefit.

This medicine is flammable until dry; avoid smoking or being near open flames until it has fully dried on your skin. Not for use in anyone younger than 18 years old.

If you miss a dose, apply the gel as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for your next dose; do not double up.

Available forms and strengths

• Gel (metered-dose pump)

Side effects of Fortesta Gel

Common

• Redness, itching, burning, or hardened skin where the gel was applied
• Increased acne or hair growth
• Headache
• Mood changes or strange dreams
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased red blood cells, which may cause dizziness, itching, redness in the face, or muscle pain
• Increased prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
• Frequent or prolonged erections
• Nausea or vomiting
• Swelling in the lower legs

Serious

• Signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Increased urination, loss of bladder control, or painful/difficult urination
• Breast pain or swelling
• Painful or bothersome erections
• Swelling, rapid weight gain, or shortness of breath, especially during sleep
• Chest pain or pressure, or pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder
• Liver problems: nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Signs of a blood clot in the lung: chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, or coughing up blood
• Signs of a blood clot in an arm or leg: swelling, warmth, or redness
• Signs of unwanted puberty or male features in a child or woman who has come into contact with the gel: enlarged genitals, premature pubic hair, increased libido, aggressive behavior, male-pattern baldness, excessive body hair growth, increased acne, or irregular menstrual periods
• Serious eye symptoms: sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights
• Serious heart symptoms: fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out
• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine should not be used by women. Testosterone can cause birth defects if a pregnant woman comes into contact with the gel or with a man's skin where it has been applied. If contact happens, wash the area with soap and water right away.
• Because the gel is absorbed through the skin, it can pass to a child or woman who has close contact with treated skin, causing signs of male features. Call your doctor if this happens.
• Misusing this medicine—using more than prescribed—can cause dangerous or permanent side effects. Never use more than your prescribed dose, and never share it with someone else.
• Do not use this medicine if you have prostate cancer or male breast cancer, or if you are allergic to testosterone products.
• Using this medicine may raise your risk of developing prostate cancer. Ask your doctor about this risk.
• This medicine is flammable. Do not use it near high heat or open flame, and do not smoke until the gel has completely dried on your skin.
• Children who accidentally touch skin where this medicine was applied can absorb testosterone through their skin, causing unwanted signs of puberty, such as enlarged genitals, early pubic hair, or aggressive behavior.
• This medicine can lower sperm count and may affect a man's ability to have children.
• This medicine should not be used by women, and pregnant women should avoid any contact with the gel or with skin where a man has applied it, because it can harm an unborn baby. If contact happens, wash the area with soap and water right away.
• This medicine is not meant for use in women, including breastfeeding women, and may cause serious problems in a nursing infant.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease before using this medicine. Studies have not been done in people with kidney problems.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver disease before using this medicine. Studies have not been done in people with liver problems, and this class of drugs can affect liver function.

Storage

• Store at 20–25°C (68–77°F) at controlled room temperature.
• Keep the pump container in its original packaging when not in use.
• Protect from excessive heat, moisture, and direct sunlight.
• Keep away from open flames, sparks, and smoking, as the gel is flammable until dry.
• Store securely to prevent accidental contact or unauthorized use.
• Keep out of reach and sight of children and pets.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have increased urination, loss of bladder control, painful urination, breast pain or swelling, painful or bothersome erections, sudden swelling or rapid weight gain, shortness of breath during sleep, chest pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder, or signs of liver problems such as yellowing skin or eyes, dark urine, or loss of appetite.
• Get medical help immediately if you notice signs of a blood clot, such as chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, coughing up blood, or swelling, warmth, or redness in an arm or leg.
• Get emergency medical help right away for serious eye symptoms (sudden vision loss, blurred vision, eye pain), serious heart symptoms (fast or irregular heartbeat, chest fluttering, shortness of breath, sudden dizziness or passing out), or serious nervous system symptoms (severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, weakness, loss of coordination, very stiff muscles, high fever, or tremors).
• If you notice unexpected signs of puberty in a child, such as enlarged genitals, early pubic hair, increased erections or sex drive, or aggressive behavior, tell both your doctor and the child's doctor right away.
• Get medical help right away if you have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 or more hours, and stop using the medicine, or permanent problems could occur.
• If this medicine is swallowed and someone has serious symptoms like passing out or trouble breathing, call for emergency help right away. Otherwise, contact your local poison control center for advice.

Alternatives

• Testosterone Transdermal Patch
• Testosterone Enanthate Injection
• Testosterone Cypionate Injection
• AndroGel