testosterone injections

by Chris Steidle, MD.

The simplest way to get around the absorption and rapid breakdown problems is also the oldest way to administer testosterone. When testosterone is injected into muscle, usually in the buttocks, it is absorbed directly into the blood stream. The early forms of injectable testosterone broke down rapidly in the body so injections had to be given every two or three days to maintain the proper levels in the blood. Newer injectable testosterone products are both more reliable and longer acting, and some may even reduce the frequency of shots to one every two to four months.

Advantages:

Infrequent dosing, every two to four weeks or longer
Dramatic physical feeling immediately after the injection; some men like the "boost"
Injection is one of the lower cost options available

Disadvantages:

Initial levels of testosterone are very high, usually much higher than the highest levels in non-treated men, and may have harmful effects.
At the end of an injection cycle, testosterone levels fall below normal levels.
The injection can be painful.
Scheduling of injections can be inconvenient.
The "roller coaster effect" can cause emotional and sexual highs and lows when the initial "boost" is followed by the "down."

Products and websites:

Product Manufacturer Dosing Administration

Delatestryl® (testosterone enanthate) BTG Pharmaceuticals 150-200 mg, every 10-21 days (Dosage and duration of therapy will depend on age and patient's response to treatment.) Intramuscular injection

Depo-Testosterone® (testosterone cypionate) Pfizer, Inc. 50-400 mg, every 10-21 days Intramuscular injection

Testorona® (testosterone propionate) Not available in US N/A N/A