methyltestosterone
Methyltestosterone (Methitest) is a pill form of testosterone used for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in males with low testosterone levels. It's also used to treat females with breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. The medication comes as a tablet or capsule and is typically taken by mouth once a day. Your dosage will depend on your condition and how you respond to treatment. Possible side effects include nausea, acne, and headaches.
What is Methyltestosterone (Methitest)?
What is Methyltestosterone (Methitest) used for?
How Methyltestosterone (Methitest) works
Methyltestosterone (Methitest) is a testosterone replacement that works like the natural testosterone in the body. Testosterone helps develop and maintain male features. It plays a key role in building muscle and bone strength, controlling sex drive, and producing sperm. Methyltestosterone (Methitest) raises testosterone levels to normal and healthy ranges in men with low testosterone.
It's unclear how methyltestosterone (Methitest) works to treat advanced breast cancer in females, but it's thought to slow cancer growth.
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What are the risks and warnings for Methyltestosterone (Methitest)?
Methyltestosterone (Methitest) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Liver problems
Risk factors: Using high doses of methyltestosterone (Methitest) long term
Methyltestosterone (Methitest) can cause liver damage, especially if taken at high doses or for a long time. In serious cases, liver problems can be life-threatening. Let your prescriber know if you have symptoms like stomach pain, light-colored stools, dark urine, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. You might need to stop taking methyltestosterone (Methitest), and in some cases, the yellowing might go away after stopping the medication.
Risk of blood clots, including heart attack or stroke
Taking methyltestosterone (Methitest) can raise your risk of blood clots. Get medical help right away if you have sudden shortness of breath, leg pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
Methyltestosterone (Methitest) potentially raises your risk of heart problems like heart attack, stroke, or heart-related death. Talk to your prescriber about the possible heart risks before starting or continuing this medication.
Potential for misuse, dependency, and addiction
Risk factors: Higher doses of methyltestosterone (Methitest) than prescribed | Taking methyltestosterone (Methitest) with other testosterones
Methyltestosterone (Methitest) is a controlled substance because it has a risk of misuse, dependency, and addiction, especially if taken at higher doses than prescribed or with other testosterones.
Misusing methyltestosterone (Methitest) over time can lead to addiction. The FDA has only approved this medication for treating low testosterone and delayed puberty in males and breast cancer in females. Taking it for other reasons can cause serious side effects, including heart attack, heart failure, stroke, depression, and psychosis.
Swelling in the legs or arms (edema)
Risk factors: History of heart, liver, or kidney conditions | Taking other medications that cause swelling
Methyltestosterone (Methitest) can cause fluid buildup (edema), which can be dangerous if you have heart, kidney, or liver conditions. In serious cases, this can lead to heart failure. If you notice swelling in your legs, feet, or hands, or have trouble breathing, contact your prescriber right away. If needed, they might stop the medication and prescribe a diuretic (water pill) to help reduce the fluid buildup.
High calcium in the blood
Risk factors: Breast cancer
If you have breast cancer, taking methyltestosterone (Methitest) might cause high calcium levels (hypercalcemia) by affecting your bones. If this happens, your oncologist might stop the medication to prevent further problems. Let them know if you experience nausea, vomiting, weakness, or confusion, as these could be signs of high calcium levels.
Fast bone maturation in children
Risk factors: Young children
In children, methyltestosterone (Methitest) can make bones mature faster without helping them grow taller. This could lead to a shorter adult height. The younger your child is, the higher the risk that this medication could affect their final height. Talk to your child's prescriber if you have concerns about how this treatment might impact their growth.
What are the side effects of Methyltestosterone (Methitest)?
Common Side Effects
- Breast enlargement
- Acne
- Deeper voice
- Acne
- Missed or irregular menstrual periods
- Increased facial and body hair
Other Side Effects
- High calcium in the blood
- High red blood cell count
- High cholesterol
- More erections
- Low sperm count
- Changes in sex drive
- Swelling in the legs or arms
- Bleeding
- Headache
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Nausea
Serious Side Effects
- Liver damage: stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, yellowing of the skin, yellowing of the whites of the eyes, light-colored stools, dark urine, weight loss
- Heart attack: chest pain, cold sweats, left arm pain, difficulty breathing
- Stroke: face drooping, trouble seeing, walking, or speaking, weakness on one side of the body
- Blood clot in the legs: pain, swelling, warm to touch, redness
- Blood clot in the lungs: trouble breathing, chest pain, cough
- Withdrawal: depression, fatigue, craving, restlessness, irritability, lack of appetite, trouble sleeping (insomnia), lowered sex drive, low testosterone
Source: DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Blood clot—pain, swelling, or warmth in the leg, shortness of breath, chest pain
- Heart attack—pain or tightness in the chest, shoulders, arms, or jaw, nausea, shortness of breath, cold or clammy skin, feeling faint or lightheaded
- Increase in blood pressure
- Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Mood swings, irritability, hostility
- Prolonged or painful erection
- Sleep apnea—loud snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, daytime sleepiness
- Stroke—sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, trouble speaking, confusion, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, severe headache, change in vision
- Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Pros and cons of Methyltestosterone (Methitest)
Pros
Is a pill taken by mouth
Restores healthy testosterone levels in men
Supports male development during puberty
Cons
Risk of liver problems with long-term use
Potential for serious heart problems and blood clots
Risk of misuse and dependence since it's a controlled substance
Pharmacist tips for Methyltestosterone (Methitest)
Taking methyltestosterone (Methitest) at higher doses than prescribed can lead to misuse. This can cause serious conditions like heart attack, heart failure, stroke, depression, and psychosis. Always take methyltestosterone (Methitest) as prescribed to avoid these risks.
Methyltestosterone (Methitest) shouldn't be used for bodybuilding or athletic performance, as misuse can lead to dangerous side effects. The FDA has only approved methyltestosterone (Methitest) for treating low testosterone and delayed puberty in males and breast cancer in females. Take methyltestosterone (Methitest) only as directed by your prescriber.
If you’re a female taking methyltestosterone (Methitest) for breast cancer, the medication can cause male features, like a deeper voice, acne, missed menstrual periods, and increased facial or body hair. To prevent these effects from becoming permanent, stop the medication at the first sign of these changes and talk to your oncologist.
Methyltestosterone (Methitest) can cause breast enlargement, pain, or tenderness in males. This might continue throughout treatment. Let your prescriber know if this becomes bothersome.
Methyltestosterone (Methitest) can interact with certain medications, like blood thinners and insulin. Tell your prescriber about all medications and supplements you’re taking to avoid harmful interactions.
Since methyltestosterone (Methitest) can cause serious liver problems, report any signs of liver problems — such as yellowing skin or eyes, dark urine, light-colored stool — to your healthcare provider right away.
Methyltestosterone (Methitest) can lower your blood sugar. If you have diabetes, you might need to monitor your blood sugar more often while taking this medication. Learn to recognize and treat low blood sugar. Talk to your prescriber if you experience shakiness, sweating, a fast heartbeat, or confusion, as you might require changes to your diabetes medications.
Frequently asked questions about Methyltestosterone (Methitest)
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Methyltestosterone (Methitest) dosage forms
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10mg | 30 capsules | $551.85 | $18.39 |
Typical dosing for Methyltestosterone (Methitest)
Your dose will depend on your age, sex, and condition being treated. Your prescriber might change your dose depending on how well it works for you and if you have any side effects.
Males
Low testosterone: The typical starting dose is 10 mg to 50 mg by mouth per day.
Delayed puberty: The typical dose is usually low and taken for a short time, about 4 to 6 months.
Females
Breast cancer: The typical dose is 50 mg to 200 mg by mouth per day.
How much does Methyltestosterone (Methitest) cost?
Methyltestosterone (Methitest) contraindications
Males with breast cancer or prostate cancer
Females who are pregnant or may become pregnant
What are alternatives to Methyltestosterone (Methitest)?
Low testosterone (hypogonadism)
Low testosterone (hypogonadism) in males
Delayed puberty in males
Metastatic breast cancer that have spread to the bones in females who've started menopause in the past 1 to 5 years
What is the latest news about Methyltestosterone (Methitest)?
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References
Best studies we foundAmneal Pharmaceuticals of New York LLC. (2024). Methitest- methyltestosterone tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.
Boni, C., et al. (2014). Therapeutic activity of testosterone in metastatic breast cancer. Anticancer Research.
Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration. (2020). Steroids.
Westaby, D., et al. (1977). Liver damage from long-term methyltestosterone. The Lancet.
You and Your Hormones. (2020). Testosterone.
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