Medication Profile: Delatestryl (Testosterone Enanthate)

Brand name(s): Delatestryl

Generic name(s): Testosterone Enanthate

Street name(s), if any: Muscle milk, ‘Roids, Rocket Fuel, Arnolds, Pumpers, Product, Juice.

Available form(s): Intramuscular injection.

Available dose(s): 200mg per mL with 5mg of chlorobutanol.

North American availability: Available in the US and Canada.

Class(es): Anabolic-androgenic steroid.

Method(s) of action: Delatestryl contains the male hormone Testosterone, which binds to the androgen receptors in the brain to create the effects typically categorized as male secondary sexual characteristics.

Most commonly prescribed for: Testosterone imbalance.

Also prescribed for: Female-t0-male transsexuals, delayed male puberty, female menopause, female skeletal cancer.

Possible side effect(s): Please see my post entitled “Do You Lose Results After Going Off Delatestryl?”.

Possibility of tolerance: No physical tolerance.

Addictive potential: Psychological addictive potential.

Withdrawal potential: No physical withdrawal.

Withdrawal symptoms: Unknown.

Potential for abuse/misuse: Very strong.

Drug interaction(s): Oral anticoagulants, antidiabetic drugs and insulin, ACTH and corticosteroids, Oxyphenbutazone.

Contraindication(s): Should not be used by men with breast or prostate cancer, or by pregnant women.

Overdose threshold: None.

Symptoms of overdose: None.

Medication Profile: Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine)

Brand name(s): Dexedrine, Dextrostat, Dexedrine Spansule, Dexedrine SR.

Generic name(s): Dextroamphetamine.

Street name(s), if any: Dexies, Uppers, Bennies, Beans, Black Beauties, Pep Pills.

Available form(s): Tablets.

Available dose(s): Dexedrine: 5 and 10mg. Dexedrine Spansule: 5, 10 and 15mg.

North American availability: Available in both the US and Canada.

Class(es): Psychostimulant.

Method(s) of action: Dextroamphetamine works by increasing dopamine release in the brain.

Most commonly prescribed for: ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and Narcolepsy.

Also prescribed for: Treatment-resistant depression and obesity, post-stroke physiotherapy, and fatigue in HIV patients.

Possible side effect(s): anorexia, hyperactivity, dilated pupils, flushing, restlessness, dry mouth, bruxism, headache, tachycardia, bradycardia, tachypnea, hypertension, hypotension, fever, diaphoresis, diarrhea, constipation, blurred vision, aphasia, dizziness, twitches, insomnia, numbness, palpitations, arrhythmias, tremors, dry/itchy skin, acne, pallor, convulsions, coma, heart attack, stroke, death, euphoria, increased anxiety, changes to libido, increased alertness, increased concentration, increased energy, increased self-esteem/self-confidence, exhilaration, excitement, increased orgasmic intensity, sociability or social isolation, increased irritability/aggression, psychomotor agitation, hubris, feelings of power/superiority, repetitive/obsessive behaviours, paranoia, amphetamine psychosis, elevation of blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, dryness of the mouth, unpleasant taste, utricaria, impotence.

Possibility of tolerance: Quite possible (dependent on dose and length of treatment).

Addictive potential: Moderate to strong (dependent on dose and length of treatment).

Withdrawal potential: Moderate to strong (dependent on dose and length of treatment).

Withdrawal symptoms: Mental fatigue/depression, increased appetite, agitation, excessive sleep, vivid or lucid dreams, suicidal thoughts, psychosis.

Potential for abuse/misuse: Strong.

Drug interaction(s): Gastrointestinal acidifying agents, urinary acidifying agents, adrenergic blockers, gastrointestinal alkalizing agents, tricyclic antidepressants, MAOIs, antihistamines, Chlorpromazine, Ethosuximide, Haloperidol, Lithium, Meperidine, Methenamine, Norepinephrine, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, Propoxyphene, Veratrum Alkaloids.

Contraindication(s): Dexedrine should not be used by people who have been or are at an elevated risk of drug or alcohol dependence or addiction, or people who are taking or have taken MAOIs within the last 14 days. It should not be used by people suffering from arteriosclerosis, symptomatic cardiovascular disease, moderate to severe hypertension, hyperthyroidism, known hypersensitivity or idiosyncrasy to the sympathomimetic amines, glaucoma, or a particularly agitated state.

Overdose threshold: Unknown (toxic results can appear at just 2mg, while in other patients doses of 400mg or more are not sufficient to provoke overdose).

Symptoms of overdose: Restlessness, tremor, hyperreflexia, tachypnea, confusion, aggressiveness, hallucinations, panic, rhabdomyolsis, rapid respiration, hyperpyrexia, fatigue, depression, arrhythmias, hypertension, hypotension, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, convulsions, coma, death.

Medication Profile: Clindoxyl (Clindamycin and Benzoyl Peroxide)

Brand name(s): Acanya, BenzaClin, Clindoxyl.

Generic name(s): Clindamycin and Benzoyl Peroxide.

Street name(s), if any: None known.

Available form(s): Cream/gel.

Available dose(s): 10mg (1%) Clindamycin with 50mg (5%) Benzoyl Peroxide.

North American availability: Available in Canada.

Class(es): Lincosamide antibiotic.

Method(s) of action: Clindoxyl (specifically the Clindamycin component) inhibits ribosomal translocation by binding to the 23S subunit of the bacterial ribosome.

Most commonly prescribed for: Acne vulgaris.

Also prescribed for: Malaria.

Possible side effect(s): Diarrhea, colitis, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, cramps, rash, itchiness, contact dermatitis, increased skin irritation, skin peeling, redness, dryness, hives, swelling of the lips or face, difficulty breathing, anaphylaxis, blood dyscrasias, polyarthritis, jaundice, raised liver enzyme levels, and hepatoxicity.

Possibility of tolerance: None.

Addictive potential: None.

Withdrawal potential: None.

Withdrawal symptoms: None.

Potential for abuse/misuse: None.

Drug interaction(s): Neuromuscular-blocking drugs (including but not limited to Tubocararine, Pancuronium, and Rocuronium), Tretinoin, other acne medications (such as Minocin (Minocycline)).

Contraindication(s): Do not take Clindoxyl if you are already on another acne medication, unless specifically prescribed by a dermatologist or other skin expert. Do not take this medication if you are pregnant or breastfeeding because it may be transmitted into the baby/fetus’s body. The effects of this medication have not been exhaustively studied in children under age 12.

Overdose threshold: Unknown.

Symptoms of overdose: Unknown.

Medication Profiles

I have been noticing a developing trend in the search results that lead internet users to my blog: many people are looking for information about specific medications that I mention in my postings, especially information about drug interactions and the side effects of these medications. In an effort to increase the availability of and ease of access to information surrounding medicine and medication, I will be periodically posting “Medication Profiles” to my blog that will deal with the following categories:

Brand name(s), Generic name(s), Street name(s), if any, Available form(s), Available dose(s), North American availability, Class(es), Method(s) of action, Most commonly prescribed for, Also prescribed for, Side effect(s), Possibility of tolerance, Addictive potential, Withdrawal potential, Withdrawal symptoms, Potential for abuse/misuse, Drug interaction(s), Contraindication(s), Overdose threshold, and Symptoms of overdose.

If you are looking for information that doesn’t fit into one of these categories, please notify me and I will amend my entries with more data pertaining to your topic of concern.

Most Common Search Responses Continued

Search keywords: How Strattera makes you feel in the morning
Strattera (Atomoxetine) is a stimulant medication that is usually taken in the morning. It can be taken for a variety of reasons, but it is most commonly prescribed for people suffering from ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). After you take Strattera, you may feel nauseous, less hungry, dizzy, constipated, or sweaty. You may feel heart palpitations or pain when urinating. Your heart rate and blood pressure may rise. These are all common side effects, but if they bother you or become extreme, be sure to contact your doctor.

Search keywords: Vitamin C and Methylphenidate
A quick search of “Vitamin C and Methylphenidate” brings up no mention of interactions between the two drugs. They are likely safe to take together.

Search keywords: Zopiclone and Strattera
Imovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone) is a medication commonly used to treat insomnia. Strattera, as described above, is a stimulant most commonly used in the treatment of ADHD. Zopiclone and Strattera should not be taken at the same time, because they are in essence polar opposites of each other. Zopiclone is generally taken at bedtime, and Strattera is taken in the morning, or in the morning and afternoon. There are no recorded interactions between the two medications.

Search keywords: Is it okay to take 2mg Melatonin in 7 hrs
It is safe to take 2mg of Melatonin in 7 hours, but studies have shown that smaller doses of Melatonin are actually more effective – for example, 1mg may actually have a more desirable effect on you than 2 or 3mg.

Search keywords: Dextroamphetamine Ibuprofen
A database search of Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine) and Ibuprofen together reveals that there are no recorded interactions between the two. They should be safe to take in unison.

Search keywords: Strattera og Ibuprofen
…? og? Next…

Search keywords: Taper off Levothyroxine
Yes, you should taper yourself off of Eltroxin (Levothyroxine). How quickly you do this depends on what dose you have been taking. Ask your doctor for more information about tapering off of Levothyroxine.

Search keywords: HRT reverse skin
The effects that HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) has on your skin are different depending on which hormones you are taking.
For people taking feminizing hormones (estrogen, progestin), your skin may become softer, clearer, and smoother.
People taking masculinizing hormones (testosterone, dihydrotestosterone) such as Delatestryl (Testosterone Enanthate), your skin may become rougher to the touch, thicker, and you may develop acne.
The effects caused by both sets of hormones are reversible. If you stop taking the hormones, they will eventually go back to what they were like before.

Search keywords: Calcium Ritalin anxiety
There are no recorded incidences of Ritalin in combination with Calcium causing anxiety. However, it should be noted that a fairly common side effect of Ritalin on its own is anxiety. It is unclear whether adding Calcium to your regimen increases anxiety or adds to the risk of developing anxiety.

Search keywords: Melatonin and Zopiclone used together
There are no interactions between Melatonin and Zopiclone; the two medications are safe to take together. Taking Melatonin and Imovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone) together may increase your chances of having a restful night’s sleep; both medications have a sedating effect that promotes sleep. As stated above, a study has shown that it may be more effective to take smaller doses of Melatonin (e.g. 1mg) rather than bulking up on it.

Search keywords: Omeprazole light sensitive
I’ll cover two factors in this section: Human sensitivity and drug sensitivity.
One site (http://www.patient.co.uk/medicine/Omeprazole.htm) lists sensitivity to light as a possible side effect of taking Omeprazole. It was not listed on other databases I searched.
The medication itself (e.g. in pill or capsule format) is sensitive to light and should be kept out of direct light in a shaded place, for example in a cabinet or drawer.

Search keywords: Dexedrine doesn’t work for me
Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine) doesn’t work for everyone. You could have a natural tolerance to stimulant medications, or you just didn’t get a high enough dose. Explore other options, such as Ritalin (Methylphenidate) or Strattera (Atomoxetine) before you give up on stimulant medications. Check with your doctor to find out the highest dose you can go on for each medication.

Search keywords: Effexor Melatonin medicated boy
Oh, someone searched for me! How sweet. And now, back to business. Effexor and Melatonin are safe to take together. However, some people prefer to take Effexor in the morning rather than in the evening. That’s just a matter of personal preference/doctor’s instructions.

Search keywords: Sertraline, Melatonin, Minocycline and
…And what? Seems you got cut off. Anyway, I’ll deal with the other three. Melatonin does have an interaction with some anti-depressant drugs (specifically Norpramin (Desipramine) and Prozac (Fluoxetine)), but not with Sertraline. There is no information on possible interactions between Melatonin and Minocycline. Sertraline and Minocycline also don’t have any recorded interactions.

Search keywords: Could you drink alcohol while taking Eltroxin
You can drink alcohol while taking Eltroxin, but it is likely to impair the mechanism by which the medication works in your system. You may experience less or no benefit from it if you consistently drink alcohol while taking this treatment.

Search keywords: Venlafaxine and Vitamin D
There are no recorded incidences of Venlafaxine interacting negatively with Vitamin D. These medications should be safe to take together.

Search keywords: Strattera Melatonin
According to a database search, there are no interactions between Strattera (Atomoxetine) and Melatonin. The two medications should be safe to take together.

Search keywords: “Acid reflux” Sertraline
Zoloft (Sertraline) is not proven to cause acid reflux, or to have acid reflux as a known side effect.

Search keywords: Zopiclone not working with Citalopram
Zopiclone is not shown to have interactions with anti-depressant drugs like Citalopram. It shouldn’t have an effect on the efficiency of the Citalopram you are taking.

Search keywords: Rhovane stop taking
Depending on your dose, you may need to slowly taper off of Rhovane (Imovane) (Zopiclone). If you are taking more than 7.5mg, you can reduce your dose by 7.5mg each week until it is altogether discontinued. Some people have trouble reducing their dose of Rhovane on their own; speak to your doctor if you have difficulties like this, as you may be addicted.

Search keywords: Can Olanzapine be taken with Eltroxin
There is no available record stating that Olanzapine cannot or should not be taken with Eltroxin. The two medications should be safe to take together.

Search keywords: Imovane withdrawal tinnitus
Imovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone) is a medication that can be addictive, and some people experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking it. There is nothing credible on the internet that definitively states that a symptom of Imovane withdrawal is tinnitus, but there are some circumstantial allegations to that effect.

Search keywords: Eltroxin and anti-depressants
Eltroxin can interact with any medication that makes changes to the thyroid hormone and metabolism. To quote rxlist.com, “Concurrent use of tri/tetracyclic antidepressants and levothyroxine may increase the therapeutic and toxic effects of both drugs, possibly due to increased receptor sensitivity to catecholamines. Toxic effects may include increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias and CNS stimulation; onset of action of tricyclics may be accelerated. Administration of sertraline in patients stabilized on levothyroxine may result in increased levothyroxine requirements.” It is also stated on this site that Eltroxin can interact with SSRIs (Selective Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors).

Search keywords: Amitriptyline and Imovane together safe?
According to my searches, there are no interactions between Imovane and Amitriptyline. The two medications should be safe to take together.

Search keywords: “Dexedrine doesn’t work”
See my above post, listed under “Dexedrine doesn’t work for me”.

Search keywords: Does Levothyroxine affect sense of smell
Levothyroxine does not appear to have an effect on a person’s sense of smell, but you could be experiencing a rare side effect that has not previously been recorded. Check with your doctor, especially if this is something you are concerned about.

Search keywords: Tinnitus Eltroxin symptoms
Tinnitus is not listed as a common side effect of Eltroxin, but as stated in an earlier blurb, this could be a rare side effect.

Search keywords: Can you take Melatonin with Risperidone
Kind of interestingly, Melatonin actually does have an interaction with Risperidone, but it’s a relatively positive one; Melatonin appears to reduce the severity of tardive dyskinesia when it is present as a side effect of antipsychotic therapy. You can absolutely take Melatonin with Risperidone, and it may actually help you if you’re suffering from tardive dyskinesia.

Search keywords: Symptoms of high dose of Eltroxin
Symptoms of taking a high dose, or overdose, of Eltroxin are varied and present mainly as symptoms of hyperthyroidism. These symptoms include fatigue, increased appetite, weight loss, heat intolerance, fever, excessive sweating, headache, hyperactivity, nervousness, anxiety, irritability, emotional lability, insomnia, tremors, muscle weakness, palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmias, increased pulse and blood pressure, heart failure, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, dyspnea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and elevations in liver function tests, hair loss, flushing, decreased bone mineral density, menstrual irregularities, impaired fertility, and seizures.

Search keywords: Interactions Melatonin Imovane
When using a similar medication – Ambien (Zolpidem), users reported a higher frequency of daytime sleepiness while also taking therapeutic doses of Melatonin. This could be the case with Imovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone) as well, as the medications act in a similar fashion. You should be careful operating machinery or driving if you’re taking Melatonin, Imovane, or a combination of the two.

Search keywords: Eltroxin and Zoloft
There is a general warning about taking Eltroxin and antidepressants simultaneously that actually specifically mentions Zoloft (Sertraline): “Administration of sertraline in patients stabilized on levothyroxine may result in increased levothyroxine requirements.” -rxlist.com. If you’re taking Zoloft, you may need a higher dose of Eltroxin to obtain therapeutic benefits.

Search keywords: 300mg of Imovane
300mg of Imovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone) is enough to induce an overdose in most people. If you have taken more than your prescribed amount of Imovane within a 24-hour period, it is recommended that you seek help on an emergency basis. Call your local health provider or visit an emergency room to make sure that you aren’t having a potentially fatal overdose. Symptoms of Imovane overdose include clumsiness, mental or mood changes, severe drowsiness, and unusual tiredness or weakness.

Search keywords: Eltroxin drink alcohol
See my above post entitled “Could you drink alcohol while taking Eltroxin“.

Search keywords: Eltroxin and vitamins
There is no specific evidence online that you will experience negative side effects while taking Eltroxin and various vitamins together, but you may want to check with your doctor about specific vitamins and their interactions with Eltroxin.

Search keywords: Tryptophan taken with Zopiclone
L-Tryptophan does not appear to have any interactions with Zopiclone, but you should check with your doctor before taking both of these medications together.

Search keywords: How to taper Levothyroxine
See my above post entitled “Taper off Levothyroxine“.

Search keywords: Can you take Omeprazole and Levothyroxine
There is nothing recorded on the internet that states that you shouldn’t take Omeprazole and Levothyroxine together; they should be safe.

Note: I am not a doctor, and the information I state on my blog is gathered from internet sources and physician’s handbooks. Therefore, it is important to speak to your doctor if you are unclear about something or if you have more questions that I am not qualified to answer.

Dexedrine?

I’ve been on Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine) for about 5 doses now and things aren’t looking great. I’m not sure if I’m receiving any benefit from it, but I’m going to give it another two days and then call my psychiatrist. He instructed me to call him before I increase my dose, which will probably go up from 20mg to 30 or 40mg. On the plus side, I’m not experiencing any negative side effects such as increased anxiety, increased tics, nervousness, or worsened acne. The absence of any negative side effects does however suggest to me that there is room to go higher on the dose. As we’ve learned from other medications, I have a huge natural tolerance to most prescribed drugs and it often takes double the standard dose to affect me in any way.

In other news, my other medication plans are going well. I’ve had a bit of trouble sticking to the routine with the Clindoxyl (Clindamycin and Benzoyl Peroxide) cream every night and as a result my acne has flared up a little bit, but I think I can get it back under control if I go back to using it every night, as prescribed. I am starting to see a lessening in the overall effect of the Imovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone) that I take (22.5mg nightly) and I’m thinking that by my next psychiatry appointment (February 17th) I may need to go back up to 4 pills or 30mg. The L-Tryptophan has helped a little bit – just enough that I’m going to keep taking it, but it’s not had any dramatic, life-changing effect on me. It’s harmless to take for extended periods of time though so I think I’ll stick with it.

I’m out of needles, which is both a cause for celebration and worry – I’m pleased because that means I’ve reached my hundred-shot mark; I’ve been on Hormone Replacement Therapy for 100 weeks! Yay! However I’m a bit worried because I don’t have the supplies to do my shot tonight. I’ll have to trek across the city tomorrow to buy more; maybe my mother will be compliant and take me in her vehicle.

That’s all for now; take care, everyone, it’s cold out! Well, at least it is here.

New Meds + Current Medication List

I saw my psychiatrist on Monday and we discussed the fact that Ritalin (Methylphenidate) didn’t seem to be doing anything for me. We went over our options and settled on Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine) as our next choice in terms of stimulant medications. Hopefully this one will provide me with relief from my depression symptoms, but I’m not holding my breath. We also increased my dose of Effexor for longer-term depression treatment. Here’s an updated medication list:

Effexor (Venlafaxine): 187.5mg nightly – for Depression
Imovane/Immovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone): 22.5mg nightly – for Insomnia
Risperidal (Risperidone): 2.5mg nightly – for Tourrette Syndrome
L-Tryptophan: 1000mg nightly – for Insomnia
Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine) Spansules: 20mg in the morning – for Depression-related symptoms

Clindoxyl (Clindamycin and Benzoyl Peroxide): apply topically at night – for acne
Delatestryl (Testosterone Enanthate): 60mg intramuscular once weekly (Friday) – for low testosterone
Erythromycin: 333mg in the morning and at dinnertime – for acne
Losec (Omeprazole): 20mg in the morning (before eating) – for acid reflux

Melatonin: 3mg nightly – for Insomnia
Multivitamin: 1 in the morning – for overall health
Salmon Oil: 1000mg in the morning, at dinnertime and at night – for high cholesterol
Vitamin C:  500mg in the morning – for overall health
Calcium + Vitamin D: 500mg Calcium and 125IU Vitamin D in the morning and at night – for bone health

Out of Hospital + Drug Interactions

I was in the hospital from December 2 – 14 for psychiatric treatment on a youth ward. For the most part the doctor left my medications alone in order to acutely treat what I was dealing with at the time, but he did add L-Tryptophan (1000mg nightly) to help me sleep better. Sadly, he forgot to write me a prescription for it when I left the hospital, and I’m not seeing my psychiatrist or my doctor until the New Year, so it’s going to have to wait a few weeks. I’m sleeping okay without it but I think it helped a bit, and I’ll take anything that helps with few to no side effects.
While out of the hospital on a pass one day I went to see my dermatologist, who agreed that I still had a lot of room for improvement with my acne situation. He told me to stop using the PanOxyl soap and to switch to Clindoxyl (Clindamycin and Benzoyl Peroxide) cream. The soap was sort of a hassle anyway – traces of it would remain on my skin after I showered and would bleach all my towels.
He also switched my oral antibiotic from Minocin (Minocycline) to Erythromycin, because he thought it might be more effective. I’d been on Minocin for over a year without seeing any definite improvement, so I was fine with changing that around.
When I got back to the hospital later in the day, I informed them of the medication changes and they started me on my first dose of Erythromycin. However, the next day the ward pharmacist came up to speak with me – she had noticed an interaction that my dermatologist seems to have overlooked: Erythromycin increases the effect of Imovane by an unknown amount (she said by at least 50%). They immediately lowered my dose of Imovane/Immovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone) to 15mg but I didn’t sleep well that night or the night after, so they raised it by one pill to 22.5mg. That means that for one night, I was on the equivalent of 8 pills, or 60mg of Imovane. It seems strange to me that I don’t recall falling asleep any faster than usual that night, and I was not particularly groggy or “hungover” the morning after. It’s possible that, like most other medications, the Zopiclone actually has little effect on me, and I can weather it like a house made out of bricks. Who knows.

Current Medication List (Updated)

Changes, shortages, small animals… I’ve got it all!

Effexor (Venlafaxine): 150mg nightly – for Depression
Imovane/Immovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone): 22.5mg nightly – for Insomnia
Risperidal (Risperidone): 2.5mg nightly – for Tourrette Syndrome
Ritalin (Methylphenidate): 40mg in the morning – for Depression
L-Tryptophan: 1000mg nightly – for Insomnia (Note: When I got discharged from the hospital, they didn’t give me a prescription for this, so I’m not currently taking it.)

Clindoxyl (Clindamycin and Benzoyl Peroxide): apply topically at night – for acne
Delatestryl (Testosterone Enanthate): 60mg intramuscular once weekly (Friday) – for low testosterone
Erythromycin: 333mg in the morning and at dinnertime – for acne
Losec (Omeprazole): 20mg in the morning (before eating) – for acid reflux

Melatonin: 2mg nightly – for Insomnia
Multivitamin: 1 in the morning – for overall health
Salmon Oil: 1000mg in the morning, at dinnertime and at night – for high cholesterol
Vitamin C:  500mg in the morning – for overall health
Calcium + Vitamin D: 500mg Calcium and 125IU Vitamin D in the morning and at night – for bone health

That comes out to 8 pills every morning, 2 pills in the evening, and 13 before bed – 23 pills every day, or 161 every week, plus a shot once weekly and cream application every night. I’m a pharmacist’s best friend – or maybe their worst nightmare.

Do You Lose Results After Going Off Delatestryl?

This is a question I’ve been thinking about a lot lately as part of my debate over whether or not to stop taking Delatestryl (Testosterone Enanthate). In my opinion, it all boils down to what exactly you mean by “results” – people take Delatestryl for many different reasons, looking for many different “results”. So yes, if you stop taking it, you may lose some of the progress you have made, but it depends on what you view as progress.

Hair growth: Any new hair growth patterns that you may have developed while taking Delatestryl are, for the most part, permanent. However, hair growth in these areas may slow down or change in texture. For example, if you experienced new facial hair growth as a result of taking Delatestryl, your facial hair will not disappear, but its growth rate and texture may be altered. After stopping Delatestryl, you probably won’t experience new hair growth in areas where there was little or no hair before.

Vocal changes: Taking testosterone can alter your voice by making it deeper. Changes to the vocal cords are permanent and stopping Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) will not further change your voice. You may notice more changes in your voice after stopping HRT if you are a male in puberty and your body naturally produces some testosterone.

Muscle development: People who take Delatestryl may notice that their muscles grow faster and larger while they are taking this medication. If you stop taking Delatestryl (or another similar testosterone preparation), your muscle development will return to the way it was before you started taking it.

Libido: Another change that some people notice is an effect on their sex drive, particularly a heightening in their desire for sex. This may return to pre-HRT levels after you stop taking Delatestryl.

Penis or clitoris growth: Growth to sexual organs as a result of taking Delatestryl is generally permanent.

Menses: This only applies to women or people who have ovaries. If you stop taking Delatestryl, you still have ovaries, and you are pre-menopausal (and post-pubertal), normal menses will begin again. This may take a few months to come into effect.

Fat redistribution: This applies mostly to women or people with female hormones who have been taking Delatestryl. If you stop taking it, unsuppressed female hormones in your body will eventually cause fat to redistribute to the hips, chest/breasts, and butt. People with only small amounts of body fat will notice this change to a lesser degree.

Cholesterol levels: Some people on HRT experience a rise in cholesterol levels while on Delatestryl. After a few months of not taking this medication, cholesterol levels should return to what they were like before you started taking it.

Changes in height: If you grew taller as a result of taking Delatestryl, you’re not going to shrink. If you stop HRT, you will lose any effect that it may be having on your height, but stopping HRT does not necessarily mean you won’t grow anymore (unless you are already full-grown).

Loss of scalp hair: Some people who take Delatestryl or other testosterone preparations experience a loss of scalp hair. When you stop taking Delatestryl, loss of scalp hair should decrease or stop entirely, unless you are already genetically predisposed to scalp hair loss or the hair loss is age-appropriate.

Adam’s Apple growth: This effect is more pronounced in women. People taking Delatestryl may notice the a change in the appearance of or growth of their Adam’s Apple (a protrusion of cartilage in the neck). This growth is permanent and stopping HRT will not reverse it. People who do not wish to have an Adam’s Apple can undergo surgery to have it removed.

Changes to bone structure: Delatestryl can cause changes to bone structure, particularly in the nose, jaw, chin, brow, shoulders and ribs. Facial features may become more pronounced, sharper, or larger. The shoulders may become broader (wider-set) and the ribcage may expand. Changes to bone structure caused by testosterone are permanent (non-reversible).

Sexual function: Some post-pubertal men with low testosterone levels take Delatestryl to treat ED (Erectile Dysfunction). Because Delatestryl is testosterone, stopping taking it will mean that your testosterone levels will go back to the level they were at before you started taking it. If your ED is or was not a temporary condition, it will return when you stop HRT.

Sweat and body odor changes: This effect is particularly noticeable in women or people with female hormones. Delatestryl can affect the way you smell, how much you smell, and how much you sweat. If you stop taking it, the amount you sweat and the way you smell will return to the way they were pre-HRT.

Skin changes: Delatestryl or other testosterone preparations can cause changes to the skin, including a coarsened texture, more visible or prominent veins, and acne. The new or increased acne that some people experience while taking hormones is a result of oils produced by increased testosterone in the body. After stopping HRT, changes to the skin will eventually reverse, most noticeably in women or people with female hormones; skin will become smoother, veins will become less apparent, and acne will lessen or disappear.

Mental changes: Some people who take Delatestryl or other forms of HRT notice certain changes in their mood and energy levels –  a higher base level of happiness or contentment, and increased physical and mental energy, concentration, or alertness. It is not clear whether this is an actual effect of the hormone or if the increased mood and energy levels can be attributed to the resolution of symptoms for which the treatment was prescribed (for example, relief – characterized by better mood and higher energy – at no longer suffering from ED). From the reading I’ve done, I can’t definitively say that mental changes resulting from taking Delatestryl are or are not permanent.

So, as I said, it all depends on what “results” you’re looking for. Here’s the bottom line for a few different categories of people taking Delatestryl: If you’re a bodybuilder, stopping Delatestryl will affect how large your muscles are and how quickly they grow. If you’re a man with ED (Erectile Dysfunction) caused by low testosterone, your ED may return if you stop HRT. If you’re a female-to-male transgendered or transsexual person, some of the changes that arise from taking testosterone are permanent (including vocal changes, facial and body hair growth patterns, bone structure changes, changes in height, and growth of sexual organs), while some are reversible (including changes to libido, changes to body fat distribution, cessation of menstrual periods, skin changes, and body odor and sweat changes).
Consider what effects of testosterone are important to you before you stop taking it, and whether or not they’ll hang around if you stop. Also, it’s important to have a conversation with your doctor before you stop taking Delatestryl or any other testosterone preparation. They may have concerns about your overall health and how a lack of testosterone will affect your mind and body. Some people may have to ease themselves off of this medication to give their bodies time to adjust to the hormone shifts. As with any medication, weigh the pros and cons before you make a decision to start or stop taking it, and don’t be afraid to get an opinion from a specialist (in this case, probably an endocrinologist) if your family doctor or your own research can’t provide you with enough information.

NB: This is not meant to be an exhaustive guide on the results of Delatestryl or other similar hormone preparations. Some results of HRT may have been unintentionally disregarded and in no way does that diminish their importance. For more information on the effects of testosterone on the human body, check out Wikipedia’s article on the subject for a brief overview or medical journals for a more in-depth perspective.