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What is AndroGel?

AndroGel contains the male hormone testosterone. This gel is prescribed as replacement hormone therapy for men who have abnormally low testosterone levels. Other forms of testosterone replacement include tablets, skin patches or intramuscular injections. The gel provides more consistent levels of testosterone compared to injections and causes less skin irritation than patches.

Testosterone is needed for normal physical development in males and is also responsible for maintaining secondary sexual characteristics that include a man’s beard, chest hair, muscle mass, and libido. In clinical studies, AndroGel successfully produced normal testosterone levels in men who didn't make enough testosterone naturally. It also successfully reduced the symptoms of low testosterone, such as low libido and decreased muscle mass.

AndroGel is a clear, colorless gel that comes in a carton containing 30 single-use packets. Every morning, apply the gel to clean, dry skin on your shoulders, upper arms, or abdomen. Wash your hands with soap and water immediately after applying the gel. Wait until the gel dries before putting on a shirt. The gel won’t affect the skin site it’s rubbed into--so it won’t grow hair on your shoulder, for example, or make your biceps bigger. Instead, it works by penetrating the skin and getting absorbed into the bloodstream.

Source:
AndroGel Product Information. Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2007.
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2007.
Androgel. The Medical Letter. Drugs and Therapeutics. 42(1080) 2000.
Swerdloff RS. “Long-Term Pharmacokinetics of Transdermal Testosterone Gel in Hypogonadal Men.” Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 85(12) 2000.
Wang C. “Transdermal Testosterone Gel Improves Sexual Function, Mood, Muscle Strength, and Body Composition Parameters in Hypogonadal Men. Testosterone Gel Study Group.” Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 85(8) 2000.
Drug Facts and Comparisons. Facts & Comparisons, 2007.

This answer prepared 5/8/2001.
This information updated 2/6/2007