Classes
DEA Class; Rx
Common Brand Names; Andro-L.A., Androderm, AndroGel, Aveed, AXIRON, Delatestryl, Depo-Testosterone, FORTESTA, JATENZO, KYZATREX, Natesto, Testim, Testopel, TLANDO, Virilon, Vogelxo, XYOSTED
- Androgens
Description
Primary androgen in humans synthesized by testes, ovaries, and adrenal cortex; available in a variety of dosage forms
Primarily used in males with primary hypogonadism or with hypogonadism due to medical conditions; may be used for a limited duration for constitutional delay of puberty; used off-label in men with sexual dysfunction due to low testosterone associated with aging
Not recommended for low testosterone status alone due to aging due to potential risk for cardiovascular events and stroke
Indications
Primary hypogonadism (congenital or acquired): Testicular failure due to conditions such as cryptorchidism, bilateral torsion, orchitis, vanishing testis syndrome, orchiectomy, Klinefelter Syndrome, chemotherapy, or toxic damage from alcohol or heavy metals; these men usually have low serum testosterone concentrations and gonadotropins (FSH, LH) above normal range
Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (congenital or acquired): Gonadotropin or luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) deficiency or pituitary-hypothalamic injury from tumors, trauma, or radiation; these men have low testosterone serum concentrations but have gonadotropins in the normal or low range
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to product or formulation components
Men with carcinoma of the breast or known or suspected carcinoma of the prostate
Men with hypogonadal conditions (eg, “age-related hypogonadism”) that are not associated with structural or genetic etiologies; efficacy has not been established for these conditions, and testosterone can increase BP which can increase the risk of MACE
Women: Pregnancy or prospect of pregnancy
Adverse Effects
Kyzatrex
Increased hemoglobin (4.5%)
Hypertension (2.6%)
Increased PSA (2.6%)
Headache (1.9%)
Tlando
Blood prolactin increased (6.3%)
Hypertension (5.1%)
- Hematocrit increased (4.3%)
- Upper respiratory tract infection (3.6%)
- Weight increased (2.1%)
- Headache (2.1%)
- Musculoskeletal pain (2.1%)
Acne
Abnormal dreams
Aggressive behavior
Alopecia
Anaphylaxis
Anger
Amnesia
Anxiety
Bladder irritability
Breast soreness
Deep venous thrombosis
Excessive frequency and duration of erection
Fatigue
Growth acceleration
Gynecomastia
Headache
Hirsutism
Hot flashes
Hypersensitivity
Hypercholesterolemia
Hypertension
Insomnia
Liver function alterations
Male pattern baldness
Menstrual irregularities
Priapism
Pruritus
Rash
Seborrhea
Suppression of factors II, V, VII, X
Vasodilation
Virilization
Water retention
Warnings
May increase blood pressure (BP); before initiating, consider baseline cardiovascular (CV) risk and ensure BP is adequately controlled; check BP ~3 weeks after initiating or increasing dose and periodically thereafter; treat new-onset hypertension or exacerbations; reassess whether the benefits of continued treatment outweigh risks
Increased hematocrit (polycythemia) reflective of increases in RBC mass may require lower dose or discontinuation; evaluate hematocrit ~q3Months, and if elevated hold testosterone until hematocrit returns to normal; if testosterone restarted and again hematocrit increase, permanently discontinue testosterone; increased RBC mass may increase thromboembolic risk
Patients with BPH treated with androgens are at an increased risk for worsening of BPH signs and symptoms
Androgens may increase risk for prostate cancer; evaluate patients for prostate cancer before initiating and during treatment with testosterone
Venous thromboembolic events (VTE) reported, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), in patients using testosterone replacement; evaluate patients who report symptoms of pain, edema, warmth, and erythema in the lower extremity for DVT and those who present with acute shortness of breath for PE; if VTE suspected, discontinue testosterone and initiate appropriate workup and management
Testosterone has been subject to abuse, typically at doses higher than recommended for approved indication and in combination with other anabolic androgenic steroids; anabolic androgenic steroid abuse can lead to serious cardiovascular and psychiatric adverse reactions; if testosterone abuse suspected, check serum testosterone concentrations to ensure they are within therapeutic range; consider possibility of testosterone and anabolic androgenic steroid abuse in suspected patients who present with serious cardiovascular or psychiatric adverse events
Prolonged use of high dose testosterone associated with serious hepatic adverse effects (peliosis hepatis, hepatic neoplasms, cholestatic hepatitis, and jaundice); peliosis hepatis can be life-threatening or fatal; long-term therapy with IM testosterone enanthate has produced multiple hepatic adenomas; although not reported with other administration routes, monitor for signs or symptoms of hepatic dysfunction; promptly discontinue testosterone if jaundice occurs while evaluating cause
Gynecomastia may develop and persist in patients treated for hypogonadism
Pregnancy and Lactation
Contraindicated in pregnant women
Teratogenic; may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman based on data from animal studies and its mechanism of action
Not indicated for women
Maximum Dosage
Dependent on indication for therapy, as well as route of administration and specific product chosen for use.
Dependent on indication for therapy, as well as route of administration and specific product chosen for use.
Dependent on indication for therapy, as well as route of administration and specific product chosen for use.
Dependent on indication for therapy, as well as route of administration and specific product chosen for use.
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
How supplied
Testosterone
oral capsule (undecanoate): Schedule III
- 100mg (Kyzatrex)
- 112.5mg (Tlando)
- 150mg (Kyzatrex)
- 158mg (Jatenzo)
- 198mg (Jatenzo)
- 200mg (Kyzatrex)
- 237mg (Jatenzo)
injectable solution (cypionate): Schedule III
- 100mg/mL (Depo-Testosterone)
- 200mg/mL (Depo-Testosterone)
injectable solution (enanthate): Schedule III
- 50 mg/0.5mL (Xyosted)
- 75 mg/0.5mL (Xyosted)
- 100 mg/0.5mL (Xyosted)
- 200mg/mL (generic)
injectable solution (undecanoate): Schedule III
- 750mg/3mL (Aveed)
pellet implant: Schedule III
- 75mg (Testopel)
- 12.5mg, 25mg, 37.5mg, 50mg (generic)