Warning

Parenteral Male Sex Hormones

Specialist initiation (S1)

TESTOSTERONE 176mg/ml injection (Sustanon®)

  • Dose: In general, the dose should be adjusted to the response of the individual patient. Adults (incl. elderly) - usually, one injection of 1ml per 3 weeks is adequate.
  • Sustanon® contains arachis oil and is therefore contraindicated in patients allergic to peanuts or soya.

TESTOSTERONE 1000mg/4ml injection (Nebido®)

  • Dose: One injection of 4ml every 10 to 14 weeks. Injections with this frequency are capable of maintaining sufficient testosterone levels and do not lead to accumulation.

Topical Male Sex Hormones

 

Specialist initiation (S1)

TESTOSTERONE 20mg/g gel (Testavan®)

  • One pump actuation delivers 1.15g of gel equivalent to 23 mg of testosterone.
  • Dose: One pump actuation applied once daily, adjusted according to response. Maximum three actuations daily.

TESTOSTERONE 20mg/g (Tostran®)

  • One press of the canister piston delivers 0.5 g of gel containing 10 mg testosterone.
  • Dose: 60mg (six press of the canister piston) applied once daily. The daily dose should not exceed 80mg testosterone.

TESTOSTERONE (Testogel®) 16.2mg/g pump and 40.5mg/2.5g sachet

  • Dose:
    • Pump - 40.5mg (two pump actuations) applied once daily; increased in steps of 20.25mg, adjusted according to response; maximum 81mg per day.
    • Sachet - 40.5mg (2.5g sachet) applied once daily; increase dose in half sachet steps (1.25g of gel); adjusted according to response; maximum 81mg (2 x 2.5g sachet) per day.

Testogel 50mg/5g strength sachets have been discontinued.

 

NHSL Joint Adult Formulary Key

To indicate the category of a formulary medicine, updated sections adopt the following key:

Preferred list (P): First-line formulary choices.

Total list (T): Alternative choices when preferred list options not effective/not tolerated, or not indicated.

Specialist initiation (S1): Specialist initiation, or on the advice of a Consultant or Specialist Practitioner in this therapeutic area. Continuation in primary care is acceptable.

Specialist use only (S2): Supply via hospital, Homecare Service or a hospital based prescription (HBP) for dispensing by community pharmacy. Not prescribed in primary care setting.

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 31/01/2022

Next review date: 31/01/2025

Author(s): NHSL.

Version: Please refer to the introduction section for an explanation of the review dates above.

Approved By: ADTC

Reviewer name(s): ADTC.