Availability
United States
As of November 2016, unmodified (non-esterified) testosterone is available in the United States in the following formulations:
Topical gels: AndroGel, Fortesta, Testim, Testosterone (generic)
Topical solutions: Axiron, Testosterone (generic)
Transdermal patches: Androderm, Testoderm (discontinued), Testoderm TTS (discontinued), Testosterone (generic)
Intranasal gels: Natesto
Buccal tablets: Striant
Pellet implants: TestopelAnd the following ester prodrugs of testosterone are available in the United States in oil solutions for intramuscular injection:
Testosterone cypionate: Depo-Testosterone, Testosterone Cypionate (generic)
Testosterone enanthate: Delatestryl, Xyosted (auto-injector), Testosterone Enanthate (generic)
Testosterone propionate: Testosterone Propionate (generic)
Testosterone undecanoate: AveedUnmodified testosterone was also formerly available for intramuscular injection but was discontinued.Testosterone cypionate and testosterone enanthate were formerly available in combination with estradiol cypionate and estradiol valerate, respectively, under the brand names Depo-Testadiol and Ditate-DS, respectively, as oil solutions for intramuscular injection, but these formulations have been discontinued.Unlike in Europe, Canada, and much of the rest of the world, oral testosterone undecanoate is not available in the United States. Canada
As of November 2016, testosterone is available in Canada in the form of topical gels (AndroGel, Testim), topical solutions (Axiron), transdermal patches (Androderm), and intranasal gels (Natesto). Testosterone cypionate (Depo-Testosterone, Testosterone Cypionate (generic)), testosterone enanthate (Delatestryl, PMS-Testosterone Enanthate), and testosterone propionate (Testosterone Propionate (generic)) are available as oil solutions for intramuscular injection and testosterone undecanoate (Andriol, PMS-Testosterone, Taro-Testosterone) is available in the form of oral capsules. Testosterone buccal tablets and pellet implants do not appear to be available in Canada. Other countries
Testosterone and/or its esters are widely available in countries throughout the world in a variety of formulations.
For this reason, and due to the unknown health effects and safety of testosterone therapy, its use may be inappropriate. In 2003, the FDA rejected Intrinsa, a 300 µg/day testosterone patch for the treatment of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women. The reasons cited were limited efficacy (about one additional sexually satisfying event per month), concerns about safety and potential adverse effects with long-term therapy, and concerns about inappropriate off-label use. It appears that in women, rather than testosterone, estradiol may be the most important hormone involved in sexual desire, although data on the clinical use of estradiol to increase sexual desire in women is limited.There are no testosterone products approved for use in women in the United States and many other countries. There are approved testosterone products for women in Australia (where it is considered a drug of dependence, medicines that are subject to misuse and trafficking.) and some European countries. Testosterone pellet implants are approved for use in postmenopausal women in the United Kingdom. Testosterone products for men can be used off-label in women in the United States. Alternatively, testosterone products for women are available from compounding pharmacies in the United States, although such products are unregulated and manufacturing quality is not ensured. Available forms
Testosterone has been marketed for use by oral, sublingual, buccal, intranasal, transdermal (patches), topical (gels), intramuscular (injection), and subcutaneous (implant administration. It is provided unmodified and as a testosterone ester such as testosterone cypionate, testosterone enanthate, testosterone propionate, or testosterone undecanoate, which act as prodrugs of testosterone.