McKenna's Pharmacology for Nursing, 2e

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Drugs affecting the male reproductive system

Learning objectives Upon completion of this chapter, you should be able to: 1. Discuss the effects of testosterone and other androgens on the male body and use this information to explain the therapeutic and adverse effects of these agents when used clinically. 2. Describe the therapeutic actions, indications, pharmacokinetics, contraindications, most common adverse reactions and important drug–drug interactions associated with drugs affecting the male reproductive system. 3. Discuss the use of drugs that affect the male reproductive system across the lifespan. 4. Compare and contrast the prototype drugs testosterone and sildenafil with other agents in their class. 5. Outline the nursing considerations, including important teaching points, for men receiving drugs used to affect the reproductive system.

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Glossary of key terms anabolic steroids: androgens developed with more anabolic or protein-building effects than androgenic effects androgenic effects: effects associated with development of male sexual characteristics and secondary characteristics (e.g. deepening of voice, hair distribution, genital development, acne) androgens: male sex hormones, primarily testosterone; produced in the testes and adrenal glands hirsutism: hair distribution associated with male secondary sex characteristics (e.g. increased hair on trunk, arms, legs, face) hypogonadism: underdevelopment of the gonads (testes in the male) penile erectile dysfunction: condition in which the corpus cavernosum does not fill with blood to allow for penile erection; can be related to ageing or to neurological or vascular conditions

ANDROGENS danazol mesterolone testosterone

ANABOLIC STEROIDS nandrolone

DRUGS FOR TREATING PENILE ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION alprostadil sildenafil tadalafil vardenafil