The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a number of different Testosterone Supplements to treat Low T, including gum tablets, pellets, gels, injections and patches. Some of the most popular Testosterone Supplememt therapies are:
- Androgel - Androgel is available as a gel that is applied to the arms, abdomen or shoulders. It was manufactured for men with certain conditions that cause Low T, as well as for testicular failure. The drug was first approved for use in 2000. However, in 2009, regulators added a warning label to the product because they feared that it could cause harm to women and children accidentally exposed to it.
- Androderm - Approved in 1995, Androderm is also applied directly to the skin. This drug treats both primary and secondary hypogonadism. Before its release, Androderm's efficacy had been tested on a small sample of only 94 subjects.
- Axiron - Axiron is applied to the skin under the arm, much like a deodorant. The manufacturer markets this drug primarily to men over 30, who are more likely to experience Low T as a result of aging.
- Delatestryl - Delatestryl is available as an injection to treat both primary and secondary hypogonadism. A doctor must administer it once every two weeks. Due to the injection method, the patient receives a much larger dose of testosterone with each treatment than he would with other options, such as gels.
- Depo-Testosterone - Like Delatestryl, Depo-Testosterone is also administered as an injection. This drug treats most forms of hypogonadism. However, this medication already possesses a warning with regard to an increased risk of blood clotting, ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction. Prolonged use of this drug has also been associated with prostate cancer, kidney disease and liver problems.
- Fortesta - Fortesta is a gel that is applied to the thighs daily. The gel treats both congenital and acquired testosterone deficiencies. Regulators approved this drug for use based on one study involving 149 men, which lasted for only 90 days.
- Striant - Striant is an oral formulation that works by delivering testosterone to the body through the mucosal lining between the cheek and the gum. Regulators approved the drug for use after only two studies: one lasting for only 12 weeks and another lasting for only seven weeks.
- Testim - Another topical gel, Testim has been on the market since 2002. It treats all forms of hypogonadism, including both congenital and acquired issues. Testim has been tested more rigorously than some of the other Low T drugs available, but some worrisome side effects have been noted.
- Testopel - Testopel is delivered to patients via a pellet implanted under the skin, which releases testosterone for three to four months or even longer. Although this delivery method may seem simpler than the other available options, it also produces unique challenges for doctors attempting to regulate dosage levels.
Since their release into the market, these Testosterone supplements have generated billions of dollars in revenue for their manufacturers. In fact, analysts have predicted that this industry may bring in as much as $5 billion per year by 2017.
Low T drugs are designed to raise testosterone levels and, theoretically, to reduce or eliminate associated symptoms. Unfortunately, in spite of their popularity, scientific evidence indicates that these drugs may do more harm than good. Not only do they depend on an over-simplified explanation of Low T and its effects on the human body, but they also have the potential to cause harmful and even deadly side effects.
Furthermore, studies have shown that these drugs are often recommended and/or used when a man either has not undergone hormone tests or has normal hormone levels.
This blog does not constitute medical or legal advice.
If you believe you may be experiencing symptoms related to the use of Low T drugs, talk to your doctor about your symptoms as soon as possible.
If you would like to explore the possibility of bringing legal action to obtain compensation for medical problems, deaths or other issues related to Low T medications, please contact the experienced attorneys at Marc Whitehead & Associates, LLP at (855)-423-3666 to discuss your options.
For more information regarding the use of Low T drugs, please visit www.usacivialaction.com and download a copy of our free E-book, The Fall of Testosterone: How a Vaunted “Low T” Therapy Has Backfired and Put Millions of Men at Risk for Heart Problems and Stroke.