Testim
® (
testosterone gel) is a prescription skin gel approved to treat low testosterone levels in men due to various causes. It is an anabolic steroid; as a result, it is classified as a controlled substance in the United States. This means that special laws and regulations control its sale and use.
(Click Testim Uses for more information on what the medication is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
Who Makes This Medication?
Testim is made by Contract Pharmaceuticals Limited for Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Testim contains the hormone testosterone in a skin gel. It works by increasing testosterone to a normal level.
Testim is used as a gel (not taken by mouth) because it would have little effect on testosterone levels if taken orally. When medications are taken by mouth, they must first pass through the liver before they reach the bloodstream. The liver metabolizes testosterone extensively before it has a chance to reach the bloodstream, and adequate blood levels of the medication usually cannot be achieved. However, when testosterone is applied to the skin, it bypasses the liver, allowing significant amounts of the hormone to reach the bloodstream.
When and How to Take Testim
Some general considerations include the following:
- The medication is a gel that is applied to the skin once daily. It comes in single-use tubes.
- Apply Testim at the same time each day, preferably in the morning. Apply it to clean, dry, healthy skin on the shoulders or upper arms. Do not apply Testim to the genitals.
- Make sure to wash your hands after applying the gel. Give the gel a few minutes to dry before you dress. Make sure to wait at least five or six hours before showering or swimming.
- Be sure to cover the application site (once the gel is dry) with clothing to minimize contact with women or children. You should wash the area thoroughly before any skin-to-skin contact (such as for sexual intercourse).
- Until the gel dries, it is flammable. Stay away from open flame until the gel is dry.
- Ideally, the application site should not be washed for two hours after applying the gel, in order to give the medication a chance to be absorbed.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be used as prescribed. Do not increase your dose or use it more frequently than prescribed without your healthcare provider's approval.
The dose that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- How you respond to this medication
- Your testosterone levels
- Other medications you may be taking
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, Testim may cause side effects. However, not everyone who uses the drug will experience side effects (most people actually tolerate it well). If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Some of the most common side effects include, but are not limited to:
(Click Testim Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Potential Drug Interactions
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Using Testim?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to using Testim gel if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
It is not known exactly what to expect from an overdose with this medication. In one case, an individual who used too much injectable testosterone experienced a
stroke, probably related to extremely high testosterone levels. It is not known if this is possible or likely with Testim.
If you happen to overdose on this medication, seek immediate medical attention.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Testim?
If you happen to realize you missed a dose shortly after the missed dose, it is fine to either skip the missed dose or to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if you are more than a few hours late for your dose, it is probably best just to skip it and continue with your regular schedule tomorrow.
Storage Methods
Testim should be stored at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Keep this and all other medications out of reach of children and pets.
The medication is available in one strength -- Testim 1 percent gel, available in 5 gram single-use tubes.
This medication is not available in generic form.
