Form:
Intermuscular injection or various forms of transdermal applications
Usual Dosage:
- Injectable - Deletestryl: 200mg injection every 2 weeks or 400mg injection once each month
- Transdermal
- Androderm - One 5mg patch every 24 hours
- Androgel 1% - One 5G packet of gel rubbed onto a major muscle every 24 hours
Instructions - Injection:
The injectable form must be given deep in a large muscle such as the anterior thigh.
Instructions - Patch or Gel:
- A new patch should be applied to a large muscle such as your upper arm or buttocks every 24 hours.
- If Androgel is being used, apply the gel to a large muscle such as the upper arm, anterior thigh, or buttocks. Cleanse the area well before applying gel.
- Wash your hands immediately after applying the gel.
Possible Side Effects:
Low term use or misuse of testosterone replacement therapy can result in the following:
- acne
- application site irritation
- liver complications
- possible link to increased risk of prostate cancer
- alterations in mood
Precautions:
- Remember to wash your hands well after applying the gel.
- Proper injection technique should be taught and confirmed by a health care professional before doing injections at home.
- The old patch should be removed and the site cleaned before applying another.
- Wait 5-6 hours after gel application to shower or to go swimming.
More Information:
To find out more about low testosterone levels and testosterone replacement therapy, talk to you doctor.
For more information on Androgel, Androderm, or Deletestryl try About.com's Drug Finder.
