An Introduction to AndroGel Side Effects
Just like any medicine,
AndroGel® (
testosterone gel) can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes the medication will have problems. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with AndroGel. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of AndroGel side effects with you.)
Common Side Effects of AndroGel
AndroGel has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials. During these studies, all potential side effects were carefully documented.
In these studies, the most common side effects of AndroGel included:
- An enlarged prostate (also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH) -- in up to 11.7 percent of men
- Abnormal lab tests (various tests, such as cholesterol or blood sugar tests) -- up to 9.3 percent
- Acne -- up to 8 percent
- Skin reactions at the application site -- up to 5.6 percent
- Headaches -- up to 4 percent
- Urinary symptoms (such as difficulty urinating or frequent urination) -- up to 3.7 percent.
Other common side effects, occurring in 1 to 3 percent of men, included:
- General weakness
- Emotional instability
- Breast development or pain
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Decreased libido (sex drive)
- Nervousness
- Testes problems, such as a varicocele (swollen veins in the scrotum)
- Dry skin
- Anemia.
