|
| Formulation | Dosage | Points to consider |
|
| Injectable agents |
| For quicker benefits |
| Aqueous suspension of testosterone | 25–50 mg every 1–2 weeks | Increased frequency of administration |
| Medium duration |
| Testosterone enanthate | 250 mg every 2–3 weeks | Wide fluctuation in testosterone levels |
| Testosterone cypionate | 200 mg every 2–3 weeks | Multiple injections |
| Testosterone propionate | 100 mg every 2 weeks | Relatively higher risk of polycythemia |
| Longer duration |
| Testosterone undecanoate | 1000 mg every 10–14 weeks | Pain at the injection site
Risk of venous thrombosis |
|
| Oral agents |
| Testosterone undecanoate | 40–80 mg BID/TID with meals | Variable absorption; multiple doses |
| Oral testosterone undecanoate is a 17-β-undecylate molecule that is not hepatotoxic, and the variability in absorption with fatty meals is negligible |
|
| Buccal agents |
| Buccal bioadhesive testosterone tablets | 30 mg controlled-release bioadhesive tablets BID | Gum-related adverse events in 16% of treated men |
|
| Topical agents |
| Testosterone gel | Available in sachets, tubes, and pumps | Possible transfer during intimate contact
Daily administration |
|
| Transdermal agents |
| Transdermal testosterone patch | 1–2 patches, designed to normally deliver 5–10 mg testosterone over 24 hours, applied every day on nonpressure areas | Skin irritation at the application site |
|
| Subcutaneous |
| Surgical implants | 2–6 pellets implanted subcutaneously | Require surgical incision for insertion
Pellets may extrude spontaneously |
|
