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

Quick overview

Xyosted Injection (testosterone enanthate) is a prescription androgen used as hormone replacement therapy in adult men with low or no testosterone caused by certain medical conditions. It is given as a single-dose injection under the skin of the belly using an autoinjector pen. Xyosted works by replacing testosterone the body isn't making on its own, and it carries a boxed warning about the risk of increased blood pressure and serious heart problems.

What is Xyosted Injection

Xyosted is a prescription medicine given as a single-dose injection under the skin using an autoinjector pen. It contains testosterone, a hormone naturally made in a man's testicles.

Xyosted Injection uses

• Treats adult men who have low or no testosterone caused by certain medical conditions (hormone replacement therapy)

Benefits of Xyosted Injection

• Replaces testosterone that the body is not making on its own, which can help with low testosterone symptoms caused by certain medical conditions

How Xyosted Injection works

Xyosted works by replacing testosterone that the body isn't making on its own, which is why it starts working as soon as it's injected, though it can take several weeks to reach steady levels in the body.

Xyosted Injection dosage

Xyosted is given as an injection under the skin of the belly area, not into a muscle or a vein, and should not be injected close to the belly button. A healthcare provider or trained caregiver should give the injection; do not inject it yourself until you have been trained. Try to take the injection on the same day each week.

If a dose is missed, take it as soon as remembered, but if it's almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one and continue on the usual schedule — do not double up. You will be watched for a period after the injection to check for a reaction. Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, drinks, or activity.

Available forms and strengths

• Single-dose autoinjector (liquid solution for injection under the skin)

Side effects of Xyosted Injection

Common

• Headache
• Back pain
• Acne
• Cough
• Edema (fluid buildup/swelling)
• Breast swelling or painful breast tissue
• Increased facial or body hair growth, male-pattern baldness
• Increased or decreased interest in sex
• Anxiety, depressed mood
• Increased blood pressure
• Numbness or tingling
• Abnormal liver function test results
• High red blood cell counts (hematocrit or hemoglobin)
• Increased PSA (prostate-specific antigen)
• Pain, bruising, bleeding, redness, or a hard lump where the medicine was injected
• Urinary tract infection
• Abdominal pain
• Joint pain
• Persistent or frequent erections
• Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate)
• Enlarged prostate
• Fatigue
• Insomnia

Serious

• Signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of face/lips/tongue/throat
• Chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to jaw or shoulder
• Shortness of breath, sleep apnea
• Swelling in ankles or feet, rapid weight gain
• Seizure
• Unusual changes in mood or behavior, depression, suicidal thoughts
• Increased or ongoing erection, ejaculation problems, decreased semen, decreased testicle size
• Painful or difficult urination, increased nighttime urination, loss of bladder control
• High calcium levels: stomach pain, constipation, increased thirst or urination, muscle pain or weakness, joint pain, confusion, feeling tired or restless
• High potassium level: nausea, weakness, tingling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement
• Liver problems: right-sided upper stomach pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, dark urine, yellowing of skin or eyes
• 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
• Signs of a stroke: sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side), severe headache, slurred speech, balance problems
• Increased risk of prostate cancer
• Decreased sperm count with high doses
• High red blood cell count (polycythemia), raising risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack

Warnings and precautions

• Xyosted carries a boxed warning, the FDA's most serious type of warning, because it can raise blood pressure, which can lead to serious and possibly life-threatening heart problems like heart attack or stroke.
• Do not use Xyosted if you have or might have prostate cancer, are a man with breast cancer, are pregnant, or are allergic to testosterone or sesame oil.
• Xyosted is not approved for use in women.
• Misusing this medicine, such as taking more than prescribed or sharing it with others, can cause serious and sometimes permanent harm, and giving it away or selling it is illegal.
• Xyosted is a controlled substance because of its potential for misuse, so it must be kept in a safe place and never given to anyone else.
• It is not known if this medicine is safe or effective in men whose low testosterone is simply due to getting older, or in anyone younger than 18.
• Stopping this medicine, especially after misuse, may cause withdrawal symptoms such as depression, tiredness, irritability, loss of appetite, sleep problems, or lower sex drive.
• Xyosted must not be used by women and can harm an unborn baby if used during pregnancy. Xyosted is not safe to use while breastfeeding and is only approved for use in men.
• People with severe kidney disease should not use Xyosted, and it can worsen existing kidney problems. People with severe liver disease should not use Xyosted, and it can worsen existing liver problems.
• There is no known direct interaction between alcohol and Xyosted, but alcohol can lower natural testosterone production, so it's a good idea to ask your doctor how much alcohol is safe during treatment.

Storage

• Do not refrigerate or freeze. Use at room temperature.
• Store at controlled room temperature, 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
• Protect from light (keep in carton until time of use).
• Discard unused portion.
• Keep Xyosted and all medicines out of the reach of children.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away for signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble 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, light-headedness, or shortness of breath during or shortly after the injection.
• Call your doctor right away for chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder, shortness of breath, or breathing problems at night.
• Call your doctor right away for swelling in the ankles or feet, sudden weight gain, a seizure, or unusual changes in mood or behavior.
• Seek immediate medical attention if you have signs of a stroke, such as sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, severe headache, slurred speech, or balance problems.
• Get medical attention right away for 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.
• Contact your doctor if you notice signs of liver problems, such as pain on the right side of your upper stomach, vomiting, loss of appetite, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
• Talk to your doctor if you have changes in mood or behavior, including new or worsening depression or thoughts of suicide.

Alternatives

• Testosterone cypionate injection
• Testosterone enanthate injection
• Testosterone patch