Jatenzo 158mg Capsules
Overview
What is this medicine?
How to Use This Medicine
To use this medication correctly, follow your doctor's instructions and read all the information provided. Take this medication with food as directed.
Storing and Disposing of Your Medication
Keep this medication at room temperature in a dry place, avoiding storage in a bathroom. Store it in a secure location where children and pets cannot access it, and consider using a locked box or area to prevent unauthorized use. Dispose of unused or expired medication properly. Do not flush it down the toilet or pour it down the drain unless instructed to do so. If you have questions about disposal, consult your pharmacist. You may also want to check if there are drug take-back programs available in your area.
Missing a Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is close to the time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time or take extra doses to make up for a missed one.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Take Jatenzo exactly as prescribed by your doctor, usually twice a day.
- ALWAYS take Jatenzo with food. Taking it without food will significantly reduce its absorption and effectiveness.
- Do not crush, chew, or dissolve the capsules; swallow them whole.
- Keep all your doctor's appointments and get your blood tests done regularly to monitor your testosterone levels, blood count, and prostate health.
- Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor immediately, especially chest pain, shortness of breath, leg pain/swelling, or changes in urination.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, as advised by your doctor.
Available Forms & Alternatives
Available Strengths:
Dosing & Administration
Adult Dosing
Condition-Specific Dosing:
Pediatric Dosing
Dose Adjustments
Renal Impairment:
Hepatic Impairment:
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
Distribution:
Elimination:
Pharmacodynamics
Safety & Warnings
BLACK BOX WARNING
Side Effects
Although rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects while taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor immediately or seek medical attention:
Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Signs of high blood pressure, including:
+ Severe headache
+ Dizziness
+ Passing out
+ Changes in eyesight
Prolonged or frequent erections
Urination problems, such as:
+ Trouble passing urine
+ Pain while passing urine
+ Weak or dripping urine stream
+ Frequent urination
Loss of bladder control
New or worsening behavioral or mood changes, including:
+ Depression
+ Thoughts of suicide
Enlarged breasts or breast pain
Shortness of breath, significant weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs
Upset stomach or vomiting
Trouble breathing while sleeping
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Weakness on one side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, balance changes, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred vision
Skin color changes
Changes in testicle size or shape
Signs of a blood clot, including:
+ Chest pain or pressure
+ Coughing up blood
+ Shortness of breath
+ Swelling, warmth, numbness, color changes, or pain in a leg or arm
+ Trouble speaking or swallowing
Liver problems, which can be life-threatening. Seek medical help if you experience:
+ Dark urine
+ Fatigue
+ Decreased appetite
+ Upset stomach or stomach pain
+ Light-colored stools
+ Vomiting
+ Yellow skin or eyes
Other Possible Side Effects
Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. Many people may not experience any side effects or may only have mild ones. If you notice any of the following side effects or any other symptoms that bother you or do not go away, contact your doctor:
Headache
Diarrhea
Heartburn
Burping
This is not an exhaustive list of possible side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, consult your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:
- Chest pain, shortness of breath, or discomfort in the arm, back, neck, jaw, or stomach (signs of heart attack)
- Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, sudden severe headache, or problems with vision, speech, or balance (signs of stroke)
- Pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in the leg (signs of deep vein thrombosis)
- Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing up blood (signs of pulmonary embolism)
- Swelling in the ankles, feet, or hands (fluid retention)
- Frequent or difficult urination, decreased urine stream (prostate issues)
- Enlargement of breasts (gynecomastia)
- Mood swings, aggression, or irritability
- Worsening sleep apnea or new onset of sleep apnea
- Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, or severe stomach pain (liver problems)
Before Using This Medicine
It is essential to inform your doctor about the following conditions to ensure safe treatment:
Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances. Describe the symptoms you experienced during an allergic reaction.
If you are a male patient with a history of breast or prostate cancer.
* Presence of certain health conditions, such as heart disease, kidney disease, or liver disease.
Female Patients:
This medication is not approved for use in females, as it may harm an unborn baby if taken during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, discuss this with your doctor.
Pediatric Patients:
This medication is not intended for children. Do not administer this medication to a child.
Interactions with Other Medications and Health Conditions:
This is not an exhaustive list of all potential interactions. Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter medications, natural products, and vitamins you are taking, as well as any existing health problems. Verify that it is safe to take this medication with your other medications and health conditions. Do not initiate, discontinue, or modify the dosage of any medication without consulting your doctor.
Precautions & Cautions
If you have diabetes, it is crucial to closely monitor your blood sugar levels while using this drug.
There may be an increased risk of developing prostate cancer associated with this medication. You should discuss this with your doctor.
Men with an enlarged prostate should be aware that their symptoms may worsen while taking this medication. If you experience any worsening of symptoms, contact your doctor promptly.
If you have sleep apnea, consult with your doctor, as this condition may worsen in some individuals taking testosterone.
Treatment with this medication may lead to elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Although the impact of these changes on heart health is not fully understood, it is essential to discuss this with your doctor.
Regular blood work and other laboratory tests should be performed as directed by your doctor. Additionally, inform all your healthcare providers and laboratory personnel that you are taking this medication, as it may affect the results of certain lab tests.
There is a risk of blood clots associated with this medication. If you have a history of blood clots, inform your doctor, and discuss the potential risks.
This medication is classified as an anabolic steroid, a class of drugs that has been subject to abuse and misuse. Anabolic steroid abuse can lead to dependence and severe health problems, including cardiovascular issues, stroke, liver damage, and mental or mood disorders. It is crucial to discuss these risks with your doctor.
In some individuals with cancer, high calcium levels have been reported with medications similar to this one. If you experience symptoms such as weakness, confusion, fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or bone pain, contact your doctor immediately.
If you are 65 years or older, use this medication with caution, as you may be more susceptible to side effects.
This medication is not approved for treating low testosterone levels caused by aging. Discuss the use of this medication with your doctor.
High doses of this medication may affect sperm production in males, potentially impacting fertility. This effect may be irreversible, even after stopping the medication. If you have concerns, discuss them with your doctor.
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- Priapism (prolonged, painful erection)
- Fluid retention (edema)
- Polycythemia (abnormally high red blood cell count)
- Mood changes (irritability, aggression)
What to Do:
Seek immediate medical attention or call a poison control center (1-800-222-1222). Treatment is supportive and symptomatic. Discontinuation of the drug may be necessary.
Drug Interactions
Major Interactions
- Anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin): May increase anticoagulant activity, leading to increased risk of bleeding. Monitor INR/PT closely.
- Corticosteroids: Concomitant use may increase the risk of fluid retention and edema, especially in patients with cardiac, hepatic, or renal disease.
Moderate Interactions
- Insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents: Androgens may decrease blood glucose levels, potentially requiring a reduction in insulin or oral hypoglycemic dosage.
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH): May increase fluid retention.
- Thyroid hormones: May decrease levels of thyroid-binding globulin, leading to increased free thyroid hormone levels (clinical significance usually minimal).
Monitoring
Baseline Monitoring
Rationale: To establish baseline and guide initial dosing.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.
Rationale: To assess for polycythemia, a common adverse effect of testosterone therapy.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.
Rationale: To screen for prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy (in men âĨ40 years old or with risk factors).
Rationale: Testosterone therapy may affect lipid profiles.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.
Rationale: To assess baseline liver function, especially in patients with pre-existing hepatic impairment.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy.
Routine Monitoring
Frequency: Approximately 3-6 weeks after initiation or dose adjustment, then periodically (e.g., every 3-6 months) once stable.
Target: 300-1000 ng/dL (normal physiological range).
Action Threshold: If trough levels are consistently above 1000 ng/dL, reduce dose or discontinue. If consistently below 300 ng/dL, consider dose increase.
Frequency: At 3 months, then annually or as clinically indicated.
Target: <54%
Action Threshold: If Hct >54%, discontinue therapy until Hct decreases, then restart at a lower dose or consider phlebotomy.
Frequency: At 3-6 months, then annually (in men âĨ40 years old or with risk factors).
Target: Stable or within normal limits for age.
Action Threshold: Significant increase in PSA or abnormal prostate exam warrants further urological evaluation.
Frequency: Annually or as clinically indicated.
Target: Within normal limits.
Action Threshold: Significant adverse changes may require intervention or re-evaluation of therapy.
Frequency: Periodically.
Target: Normal limits.
Action Threshold: Monitor for hypertension, especially in patients with cardiovascular risk factors.
Symptom Monitoring
- Signs of fluid retention (edema, weight gain)
- Symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) such as urinary urgency, frequency, nocturia, decreased stream
- Signs of cardiovascular events (chest pain, shortness of breath, leg swelling, weakness on one side of body)
- Mood changes, irritability, aggression
- Sleep apnea (worsening or new onset)
- Gynecomastia
- Skin changes (acne, oily skin)
- Hair loss (scalp) or increased body hair
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
Contraindicated in pregnant women. Testosterone can cause virilization of the female fetus.
Trimester-Specific Risks:
Lactation
Contraindicated in breastfeeding women. It is unknown if testosterone is excreted in human milk, but it could potentially cause serious adverse reactions in a breastfed infant.
Pediatric Use
Contraindicated in pediatric patients. Safety and effectiveness have not been established. Use in children can cause virilization in females, precocious puberty and premature epiphyseal closure in males, and may compromise adult height.
Geriatric Use
Use with caution in elderly men. Older patients may be at increased risk for prostate enlargement, prostate cancer, and cardiovascular events. Regular monitoring of PSA, hematocrit, and cardiovascular status is crucial.
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- Jatenzo is an oral testosterone formulation that MUST be taken with food to ensure adequate absorption. Advise patients to take it with a meal, preferably a high-fat meal, for optimal bioavailability.
- Unlike other oral testosterone formulations (e.g., methyltestosterone), Jatenzo (testosterone undecanoate) is designed to be absorbed via the lymphatic system, reducing first-pass hepatic metabolism and minimizing hepatotoxicity concerns associated with 17-alpha alkylated androgens.
- The Black Box Warning for cardiovascular events and VTE is critical. Thoroughly screen patients for pre-existing cardiovascular disease or risk factors before initiating therapy.
- Regular monitoring of trough testosterone levels is essential for dose adjustment. Ensure patients understand the importance of consistent timing for blood draws (e.g., 5-8 hours after the morning dose).
- Emphasize the importance of prostate health monitoring (PSA and DRE) in men on testosterone therapy, especially those over 40 or with risk factors for prostate cancer.
- Educate patients on signs of polycythemia (e.g., headache, dizziness, fatigue) and fluid retention (e.g., swelling, weight gain) and to report them promptly.
Alternative Therapies
- Other oral testosterone formulations (e.g., Tlando, Kyzatrex - also testosterone undecanoate capsules)
- Testosterone gels (e.g., AndroGel, Testim, Fortesta, Vogelxo)
- Testosterone transdermal patches (e.g., Androderm)
- Testosterone injections (intramuscular, e.g., Depo-Testosterone, Aveed; subcutaneous, e.g., Xyosted)
- Testosterone buccal systems (e.g., Striant)
- Testosterone pellets (e.g., Testopel)