8 Side Effects of Testosterone Cypionate (Revealed)

Testosterone cypionate is a prescribed drug that is administered as an injectable liquid into the muscle [1].

You can administer this prescription drug, known under the brand name Depo-Testosterone, at home once your doctor instructs you on how to do it.

It is also offered as a generic medication, which is often less expensive than brand-name prescriptions.

However, it might not be as accessible in the same dosages or formulations as the brand-name medicine.

What Is Testosterone Cypionate Injection Used For?

Testosterone cypionate injection is used to help restore testosterone to normal levels.

Cypionate is very beneficial in treating low T in men [2].

Low testosterone occurs when the body's natural testosterone synthesis is insufficient.

Because testosterone is such an important hormone for general health and well-being, men with low T sometimes endure a slew of distressing symptoms when their levels fall below the ideal range [3].

Among these symptoms are:

• A lack of sexual desire (low libido)
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sexual dysfunction (impotence)
• Muscular atrophy and shrinking testes
• Infertility
• Body fat accumulation
• Male pattern baldness
• General exhaustion
• Breast tissue growth (gynecomastia)
• Mood disorders

In cases of delayed puberty, testosterone cypionate can be used to promote bone development and maturation. By providing supplemental testosterone, cypionate helps initiate puberty physiological changes, including bone tissue growth.

This therapy promotes normal growth patterns and appropriate sexual maturation in adolescents with delayed puberty.

It is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate dosage and duration of treatment when using testosterone cypionate for delayed puberty.

The good news is that most men who use cypionate during testosterone replacement therapy see a reversal of these symptoms within a few weeks.

The side effects of using testosterone cypionate include acne, swelling at the injection site, gynecomastia, increased frequency of erections, decreased sperm count, headaches, and mood changes [4].

Minor side effects should go away in a few days or weeks; however, you should consult your physician or pharmacist if they become more intense or do not go away.

Serious side effects, on the other hand, require immediate reaction.

These are some of the symptoms that may occur:

• Stroke – The signs of stroke include slurred speech, muscle pain, and weakness in one area or side of the body [5].
• Prostate cancer – Before and throughout therapy with this medicine, your doctor must examine for prostate cancer or other prostate disorders, especially if you are 65 or older.
• Heart attack – The symptoms of a heart attack may include chest pain, breathlessness, increased blood pressure,  and upper-body soreness [6].
• Prostate gland enlargement – The symptoms of prostate gland enlargement may include urgent or frequent urination, difficulty initiating urination, a weak urine discharge, straining when urinating, and the inability to empty your bladder [7].
• Embolism of the lungs – The symptoms of a blood clot in your lungs are breathlessness, chest pain or distress that worsens when you breathe in deeply or cough, lightheaded, dizziness or fainting, quick pulse, and blood in your cough [8].
• Liver disease – Among the symptoms of liver complications are nausea, throwing up, rapid weight gain, upper stomach pain, swelling of the legs and ankles, bruising more quickly than usual, pale stool, dark urine, and yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes [9].
• Polycythemia – Signs of the rise in your red blood cell count include facial reddening, migraines, confusion, infarction, blood clot, chest pain, fatigue, and a reduction in mental sharpness [10].
• Deep vein thrombosis – Blood clots in the veins of your limb may cause swelling and soreness in your legs [11].

Some individuals may encounter side effects other than the ones listed. If you experience any symptoms that concern you while taking this medicine, consult your physician.

"In the United States, testosterone treatment is becoming increasingly popular. Before considering long-term testosterone treatment, clinicians should ensure that the patient is aware of the benefits and risks."
- Stacy Sampson, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

People whose hematocrit is greater than 54% should not take testosterone cypionate.

This therapy may raise cholesterol levels in people with already abnormal levels. Moreover, high cholesterol increases the risk of developing heart or blood vessel issues.

That’s why, while using this drug, your doctor will monitor your cholesterol levels.

In addition, people who have diabetes should not use this medication as it may cause a severe drop in their blood glucose levels.

Finally, individuals with blood clots should avoid this product as it may raise the risk of forming blood clots in the lungs or deep veins in the legs.

Does Testosterone Cypionate Have Benefits?

Yes, testosterone cypionate has benefits as it supplements your body with testosterone that the system cannot produce on its own [17].

It is an androgen type of medication aimed at treating hypogonadism in men.

Some of the benefits of cypionate include:

• Increased libido
• Better erectile function
• Boosted vitality and energy
• Muscle growth and fat loss
• Increased cognition

Cypionate is a highly effective and well-tolerated form of hormone replacement therapy.

It's also worth noting that cypionate is a schedule-III-restricted drug in the United States, which means that it can't be used legally without prescriptions and the supervision of a licensed physician specialized in treating Low T.

The average adult prescription of cypionate in males is 200 mg per two weeks, with a monthly maximum of 400 mg [18].

A doctor administers it as an injection into your gluteal muscle (buttocks).

Many factors, such as body mass, other medical problems, and other medications, might influence the amount a person requires.

With that in mind, if your physician has advised a dose other than those stated here, do not modify it.

In addition, if you missed a cypionate session, call your doctor as soon as possible to schedule your appointment.

Keep this product at room temperature, away from moisture and light, and out of children's reach.

Medication should not be disposed of in wastewater or in domestic waste.

That said, you should inquire with your pharmacist about properly disposing of drugs that you no longer use or have expired.

Taking cypionate with certain medicines increases your chances of experiencing adverse effects from these prescriptions.

Some of these include insulin and oral diabetic medicines like nateglinide, metformin, pioglitazone, glimepiride, repaglinide, glipizide, rosiglitazone, sitagliptin, exenatide, saxagliptin, liraglutide, and linagliptin [19].

Taking these medications together may result in a severe drop in blood glucose levels.

This is why your physician may reduce your diabetic medication dosage.

However, you should closely monitor your glucose levels while taking these medications together.

In addition, mixing cypionate with oral blood thinners, like warfarin, may raise the risk of bleeding [20].

Your physician will monitor you closely if you use these medications simultaneously.

Finally, taking adrenocorticotropic hormones and corticosteroids with cypionate increases the risk of edema (fluid build-up) [21].