Androderm: What Works For Your Lifestyle?

Not all testosterone treatments are alike. If testosterone deficiency is diagnosed, you want to choose a treatment method that’s right for you. Several testosterone replacement therapies are available. The delivery method can play an important role in providing the results you need. Options for testosterone replacement therapy include the following:

Injection For this method, you visit the doctor’s office every 2 to 3 weeks for an injection into your muscle. Between injections, testosterone levels may decline and some patients may experience a return of their symptoms, affecting mood, energy, and libido.
Oral testosterone Taken as a pill, this method may require multiple daily doses to maintain steady testosterone levels. High doses have been associated with liver toxicity.
Skin gel This method delivers testosterone through a gel, which you apply on your skin. After application, wait 5–6 hours before bathing or swimming for optimal absorption. It’s important to be careful that the gel does not rub onto other people, as this may pose a health risk for women and children.
Scrotal skin patch This type of patch is placed on the scrotum. Once a week, you shave the skin under the application site. Because of the patch location, some men may experience discomfort.
Non-scrotal skin patch This type of skin patch is applied to the upper arms, thighs, abdomen, or back areas of your body. Testosterone delivery is controlled, continuous, and there’s minimal risk of the hormone rubbing off onto other people.

While any of these options can be prescribed for testosterone deficiency, you and your doctor should discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Then you can choose the one that matches your needs and lifestyle.

Androderm® (testosterone transdermal system) is a non-scrotal skin patch. This means that you can put the patch on your upper arm, thigh, stomach, or back. The Androderm patch delivers testosterone in a way that matches the body’s own natural rhythm of testosterone production. The patch provides 24-hour coverage. It’s a convenient, once-daily application and is not noticeable.

Safety Information

If you are over 55 years of age, treatment with androgens (such as testosterone) may increase the risk of benign enlargement of the prostate and may promote the growth of existing cancer of the prostate. While using Androderm, some patients may experience skin irritation at the application site. To reduce the risk of such irritation, the patch should not be applied to the same place more than once a week. If irritation occurs and persists in spite of rotating the patch, it may be ameliorated by applying 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide cream. Androderm must not be used by women. Androderm should not be used by men who have breast cancer or by men who are suspected to have cancer of the prostate. Also, Androderm should not be used by men who are hypersensitive to any of the patch components. Adverse events reported by > 5% of patients in clinical trials of Androderm (n=122): pruritus at application site, 37%; burn-like blister reaction under system, 12%; erythema at application site, 7%; vesicles at application site, 6%; prostate abnormalities, 5%. In geriatric patients, treatment with testosterone may increase the risk of developing benign prostatic hyperplasia and may promote the growth of existing prostate cancer. Androderm should not be applied over bony prominences or over areas subject to prolonged pressure. Androderm must not be used in women.

Please see Prescribing Information.