The U.S. FDA approved Testosterone in 1953. Testosterone belongs to the group called Androgen. This medicine is used as male hormone (Testosterone) treatment in adult males with a deficiency or absence of testosterone (hypogonadism).

Testosterone is used in treating Primary hypogonadism (testicular failure) Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (Problem in the pituitary gland or hypothalamus) in adult male.

Testosterone is available as tablet, injection and gel form, which can be consumed orally, intramuscularly and topically. It is available as 40mg, 50mg and 1gm strengths. Your physician will decide the correct dosage and duration based on age, body weight, and disease condition.

The common side effects that are experienced while you are on the treatment with Testosterone are worsening of hypertension (increased blood pressure), redness, rash acne, headache, pain at the injection site, Increased in Prostatic Specific Agent (PSA), Increased RBC and Hemoglobin level.

Men with prostate and breast cancer (a rare disorder) should be cautious before taking the medicine because it is contraindicated for them. Patients with heart disorders and high blood pressure should inform their doctor prior to the medication. It is not recommended for women, especially those who are pregnant, because it may cause virilization (development of male hormone) to the female fetus when administered. The Safety and efficacy of the drug in pediatric males and adult males with age-related hypogonadism is not established.

Inform your doctor if you have a risk for blood clots or a family history of blood clotting in a vein, already existing blood clots, smoking habits, obesity, or cancer. Consult your doctor if you have painful swelling of one leg or sudden color change of the skin, sudden cough with blood, sudden chest pain, severe dizziness, severe pain in your stomach, or sudden loss of vision; all these might be the symptoms of a blood clot.

Talk to your doctor if you are too frequent erections of the penis, any changes in skin color, swelling of the ankles, unexplained nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting, any breathing abnormalities, including those during sleep, heart, liver, or kidney disease, ischaemic heart disease (a condition that affects the supply of blood to the heart), epilepsy, migraines, breathing difficulties during sleep. Consult your doctor and monitor your blood pressure (RBC and hemoglobin) and prostatic Specific Agent (PSA), which helps detect prostate disease. Inform your doctor if you take diabetes, blood clotting (blood thinners), corticosteroids, pain, and cold medicine.

1. Antares Pharma, Inc. US Food and Drug administration, [Revised on Sep 2018], [Accessed on April 2023],https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/209863s000lbl.pdf
2. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Androgens and drugs for erectile dysfunction, 7th edition, 2013, 296-300.

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice, it is meant for educational purposes only. For further details consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.