Compare AndroGel® with other Testosterone Products

Testosterone has been used for many decades for the treatment of testosterone deficient males.

Today options for treatment include:

• topical testosterone gels (AndroGel®, / Testogel®, Testim®)

• testosterone creams (Andromen®, Andromen® Forte)

• short and long acting injections of testosterone esters (Sustanon®, Nebido®/Reandron®)

• testosterone transdermal skin patches (Androderm®)

• subcutaneous testosterone implants

• oral testosterone capsules (Andriol®)

Testosterone Injections: Testosterone esters (Sustanon®) must be injected every 2 - 4 weeks, customarily in doses of 250mg. The injection must be deep intramuscular and is quite often painful. The injection results in very high circulating concentrations of testosterone for several days after administration, with a progressive fall to normal or sub-normal concentrations over the succeeding 2 - 3 weeks.  The rise and fall in concentration may be accompanied by fluctuations in the symptoms of androgen excess and deficiency.

Recently longer acting injections (Nebido®/Reandron®) have become available and last for up to three months. They, like the shorter acting injections, are often associated with pain and their effects are irreversible if unwanted side effects occur.

Testosterone skin patches (Androderm®) provide physiological testosterone replacement, with night-time applications leading to a pattern of circulating concentrations similar to that normally seen in healthy males. Patches must be applied daily, and there is a relatively high incidence of adverse skin reactions, which may be sufficiently severe to lead to discontinuation of use. The patches are readily visible and may discourage users from participation in sporting activities, including swimming and other sports requiring the use of change rooms.

Testosterone pellets (implants) in doses of 600 - 1200 mg, are inserted subcutaneously under local anaesthetic. They produce physiological testosterone concentrations which may be sustained for 4 - 6 months. Problems include the need for repeated local surgical procedures, and expulsion of the implants which may occur in 5 - 10% of procedures, often several weeks later. The site of implantation may occasionally become infected which may require antibiotic treatment.

Testosterone capsules (Andriol®) provide only moderately effective testosterone replacement, with wide fluctuations in circulating concentrations, due to highly erratic absorption and sometimes gastro-intestinal intolerance. Up to eight 40mg oily capsules daily are required and the use of oral testosterone is generally confined to patients who are intolerant of other preparations.

Testosterone gels (AndroGel®/Testogel®, Testim® 1% testosterone gels) and testosterone creams (Andromen®/Andromen® Forte 2% & 5% testosterone cream) require daily application, and provide physiological replacement with few problems and satisfactory efficacy. Well designed studies show the efficacy and safety of this mode of administration to be high when given for an average of 36 months follow-up. Gels and creams have to a large extent replaced the previously mentioned forms of testosterone due to their patient friendly mode of application and flexibility with regards to dose. TestoGel®, is the marketing name for AndroGel® outside America

Testosterone Creams  Andromen® 2% and Andromen® Forte 5% testosterone creams differ significantly from AndroGel  ® and Testim ® 1% testosterone gels in a number of areas apart from the relative strengths. Part of the challenge of getting testosterone across the skin is the degree of absorption the skin has for testosterone. AndroGel ® and Testim  ® is applied to the back, shoulders and upper arms to achieve maximum surface area coverage and hence increase the potential absorptive area.  Andromen® and Andromen® Forte testosterone cream is applied directly to the scrotum. Because of the much higher concentration of testosterone cream a smaller volume of cream can be applied which can be more manageable for patients. Scrotal skin is highly receptive to the absorption of testosterone compared with other skin sites. Scrotal skin is 24 times more receptive than the back and 12 times more receptive than under the arms to topical steroid absorption.

Dr. Carruthers concluded that  Andromen® testosterone cream is the best and most cost effective testosterone treatment option.  With scrotal application of testosterone cream a lesser total dose of testosterone is required compared with AndroGel  ® or Testim ® and still high blood testosterone levels are achieved. AndroGel ® is contraindicated for use on the scrotum because it’s alcoholic base may be irritant to the sensitive scrotal skin.

Prescribing Information 2% Testosterone Cream for men Consumer Medicine Info

Prescribing Information 5% Testosterone Cream for men Consumer Medicine Info

Degree of absorption of testosterone from testosterone cream, applied to different body areas.

Cost Benefits of Testosterone Cream Over Other Testosterone Products

Transdermal testosterone treatments show absorption through skin of Andromen® testosterone cream is 4.7 times more effective than Testogel ® / AndroGel ®, 4 times cheaper and 19 times better value than Testogel ® / AndroGel ® testosterone gels, testosterone injections, testosterone implants and testosterone capsules.
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Based upon