Low Testosterone Treatment Options Table

Compare the treatment options for low testosterone so you and your partner or spouse can find one that is best for you.

When you're ready to make a change and get help for your low testosterone, there are a number of different treatments you can consider. Remember, always talk to your doctor to help find the best option for you.

Treatments for low testosterone, known as testosterone replacement therapies or TRTs, work to bring testosterone levels back to the normal range.

There are several ways you can take your treatment as TRTs come in different forms. These include topical treatments (gels, solutions, and patches), oral treatments (pills), and injections. Together with your doctor, you can find a treatment option that you are comfortable with, and will be able to work into your daily routine.

Remember, this choice can affect both you and your partner. Make sure that you work together to reach a decision that you are both comfortable with.

Topical treatments (solutions, gels, and patches)

What type of topical treatment is it?
Axiron® Solution
Androgel® Gel
Testim® 1% Gel
Androderm® Patch
Where do I apply it?
Axiron® Armpit
Axiron® Axiron administration video
Androgel® Only apply to your stomach area, shoulders, and/or upper arms.
Androgel® Androgel administration video
Testim® 1% Only to areas of the shoulders and/or upper arms that will be covered by a short-sleeve T-shirt.
Testim® 1% Testim 1% administration video
Androderm® Areas such as the back, abdomen, thighs, and upper arms.
Androderm® Androderm administration video
When do I apply it?
Axiron® Once daily:
Apply at about the same time each morning.
Androgel® Once daily:
Apply at the same time each day, preferably in the morning.
Testim® 1% Once daily:
Apply at about the same time each day, preferably in the morning.
Androderm® Once daily:
Apply one or two patches, depending on the dose, at night (around 10:00 pm).
What are the most common side effects?
Axiron®

The following side effects have been reported for products containing testosterone: skin irritation or redness or rash at the application site, increased prostatic specific antigen (PSA), enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia), an increase in red blood cell count (hematocrit and hemoglobin), acne, change in mood, depression, prolonged or painful erection, sleep disturbances caused by breathing problems, aggression or aggressive behavior, breast enlargement and breast pain, loss of hair and baldness, high blood pressure, weight gain, headache, dizziness. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you experience urinary symptoms (i.e., change in frequency/ colour, dribbling, pain on urination, straining, weak stream, small amounts).

Androgel®
Testim® 1%
Androderm®
What warnings and precautions should I be aware of in terms of transferring medication to another person?
Axiron®

Serious warnings and precautions

Axiron can be transferred to another person when skin-to-skin contact with the application site occurs.

  • Signs of puberty (unexpected sexual development) have been reported in children who were exposed to topical testosterone.
  • Keep children away from unwashed or unclothed application sites of men using Axiron and from unwashed clothing or other fabrics exposed to Axiron.
  • Men who use Axiron must strictly follow the instructions for use to lower the risk of transferring Axiron to another person.
Androgel®

Serious warnings and precautions

Androgel can be transferred to another person when skin-to-skin contact with the application site occurs.

  • Signs of puberty (unexpected sexual development) have been reported in children who were exposed to testosterone gel.
  • Keep children away from unwashed or unclothed application sites of men using Androgel and from unwashed clothing or other fabrics exposed to Androgel.
  • Men who use Androgel must strictly follow the instructions for use to lower the risk of transferring Androgel to another person.
Testim® 1%

Serious warnings and precautions

Testim 1% can be transferred to another person when skin-to-skin contact with the application site occurs.

  • Signs of puberty (unexpected sexual development) have been reported in children who were exposed to testosterone gel.
  • Keep children away from unwashed or unclothed application sites of men using Testim 1% and from unwashed clothing or other fabrics exposed to Testim 1%.
  • Men who use Testim 1% must follow the instructions for use to lower the risk of transferring Testim 1% to another person.
Androderm®

Precautions while using Androderm

Androderm can be transferred to another person, including children, when skin-to-skin contact is made with the application sites.

You should prevent Androderm from transferring to another person, especially children or pregnant or breast-feeding women, by washing your hands immediately with soap and water after application.

In the event that an unwashed or uncovered Androderm application site does come in direct contact with the skin of another person, the general area of contact on the other person should be washed with soap and water as soon as possible.

Changes in body hair distribution, significant increase in acne, or other signs of the development of masculine traits in the female partner or in any person (including children) exposed to skin-to-skin contact, should be brought to the attention of a doctor.

When should this treatment not be used?
Axiron®

If you have or it is suspected that you have prostate or breast cancer, or a known allergy to any of its components.

Should not be used by women. Pregnant and breast-feeding women are especially at risk and should avoid skin contact with application sites on men.

Must not be used by children under the age of 18.

Androgel®

If you have or it is suspected that you have prostate or breast cancer, or a known allergy to any of its components.

Should not be used by women. Pregnant and breast-feeding women are especially at risk and should avoid skin contact with application sites on men.

Must not be used by children under the age of 18.

Testim® 1%

If you have or it is suspected that you have prostate or breast cancer, or a known allergy to any of its components.

Should not be used by women. Pregnant and breast-feeding women are especially at risk and should avoid skin contact with application sites on men.

Must not be used by children under the age of 18.

Androderm®

If you have or it is suspected that you have prostate or breast cancer, or a known allergy to any of its components, or if you have difficulty in urinating due to an enlarged prostate. Should not be used by women. Pregnant and breast-feeding women are especially at risk.

Not indicated for use in children under 18 years of age.

Oral treatment (pill)

When do I take it?
Andriol®

Twice a day:

Take half of the daily dose in the morning and the other half in the evening, if dose consists of more than one capsule. If the daily dose is an uneven number of capsules, take the larger number in the morning.

You must take Andriol® with a meal.

How do I take it?
Andriol® Andriol administration video
What are the most common side effects?
Andriol®

The following side effects have been reported for products containing testosterone: increased prostatic specific antigen (PSA), enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia), an increase in red blood cell count (hematocrit and hemoglobin), acne, change in mood, depression, prolonged or painful erection, sleep disturbances caused by breathing problems, aggression or aggressive behavior, breast enlargement and breast pain, loss of hair and baldness, high blood pressure, weight gain, headache, dizziness.

When should this treatment not be used?
Andriol®

If you have or it is suspected that you have prostate or breast cancer, if you have difficulty urinating due to an enlarged prostate, or if you have a known allergy to any of its components. Should not be used by women. Pregnant and breast-feeding women are especially at risk.

The safety and efficacy have not been established in children under 18 years of age and therefore should not be used in this population.

Injectable treatments

When do I take it?
Delatestryl® Delivered with an intramuscular injection in the gluteal muscle every 2 to 4 weeks in your doctor's office, depending on your age, diagnosis, response of treatment, and appearance of adverse events.
Depo-Testosterone Delivered with an intramuscular injection in the gluteal muscle every 2 weeks in your doctor's office.
How do I receive it?
Delatestryl® Delatestryl administration video
Depo-Testosterone Depo-Testosterone administration video
What are the most common side effects?
Delatestryl®

The following side effects have been reported for products containing testosterone: skin irritation or redness or rash at the application site, increased prostatic specific antigen (PSA), enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia), an increase in red blood cell count, (hematocrit and hemoglobin), acne, change in mood, depression, prolonged or painful erection, sleep disturbances caused by breathing problems, aggression or aggressive behavior, breast enlargement and breast pain, loss of hair and baldness, high blood pressure, weight gain, headache, dizziness.

Depo-Testosterone
When should this treatment not be used?
Delatestryl®

If you have or it is suspected that you have prostate or breast cancer, if you have difficulty urinating due to an enlarged prostate, or if you have a known allergy to any of its components.

Should not be used by women. Pregnant and breast-feeding women are especially at risk.

Not recommended for use in children under 18 years of age.

Depo-Testosterone

If you have or it is suspected that you have prostate or breast cancer, if you have difficulty urinating due to an enlarged prostate, or if you have a known allergy to any of its components.

Should not be used by women.

Not recommended for use in children under 18 years of age.