Pharmacology: Suppresses gonadotropic functions of the pituitary and may exert a direct effect upon the testes.

Indications and Usage: Management of anemia of renal insufficiency and has been shown to increase Hgb and RBC mass.

Contraindications: Men with carcinoma of the breast or known or suspected carcinoma of the prostate; carcinoma of the breast in women with hypercalcemia; pregnancy; nephrosis or nephrotic phase of nephritis.

Dosage and Administration: Adults IM 50 to 100 mg/wk for women and 100 to 200 mg/wk for men.

General Advice: For deep IM administration only, preferably into gluteal muscle. Not for intradermal, subcutaneous, IV, or intra-arterial administration.  Rotate injection sites. Do not administer if particulate matter, cloudiness, or discoloration noted.

Storage/Stability: Store vials at controlled room temperature (59° to 86°F). Protect from light. Store in dark bag contents are used.

Drug Interactions: Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) Anticoagulant effects may be increased.

Insulin, oral hypoglycemic agents: May decrease glucose control; dosage adjustments may be necessary.

Laboratory Test Interactions: Thyroxine-binding globulin may be decreased, resulting in decreased total T 4 serum levels and increased resin uptake of T 3 and T 4 . Free thyroid hormone levels are not changed.

Adverse Reactions:

CNS: Depression; excitation; habituation; insomnia; increased and decreased libido.

Dermatologic: Acne (women and prepubertal boys); hirsutism and male pattern baldness (women).

EENT: Deepening of voice (women).

GI: Diarrhea; nausea; vomiting.

Genitourinary: Gynecomastia; inhibition of testicular atrophy and oligospermia, testicular function, impotence, chronic priapism, epididymitis, bladder irritability (postpubertal men); increased frequency of erection, phallic enlargement (prepubertal men); clitoral enlargement, menstrual irregularities (women).

Hepatic: Hepatocellular neoplasms; peliosis hepatitis.

Metabolic-Nutritional: Decreased glucose tolerance and HDL; increased creatine, creatinine excretion, serum creatinine phosphokinase, and serum levels of LDL; serum electrolyte retention (including calcium, chloride, phosphate, potassium, sodium).

Miscellaneous: Edema.

Keep in the original container.  Keep out of the reach of children and pets