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General MedicationsTOPICALBlack Box

Testosterone

TESTOSTERONE

Standard Dose
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Prior to initiating testosterone topical solution USP, confirm the diagnosis of hypogonadism by ensuring that serum testosterone concentrations have been measured in the morning on at least two separate days and that these serum testosterone concentrations are below the normal range. Prior to initiating testosterone topical solution USP, confirm the diagnosis of hypogonadism by ensuring that serum testosterone has been measured in the morning on at least two separate days and that these concentrations are below the normal range ( 2 ). Starting testosterone topical solution USP dose is 60 mg of testosterone (1 pump actuation of 30 mg of testosterone to each axilla), applied once daily, at the same time each morning. ( 2.1 ) Apply to clean, dry intact skin of the axilla, not to any other parts of the body including the abdomen or genitals ( 2.2 ) Dose adjustment: The dose of testosterone may be decreased from 60 mg (2 pump actuations) to 30 mg (1 pump actuation) or increased from 60 mg to 90 mg (3 pump actuations) or from 90 mg to 120 mg (4 pump actuations) based on the serum testosterone concentration from a single blood draw 2 to 8 hours after applying testosterone topical solution USP and at least 14 days after starting treatment or following dose adjustment. ( 2.2 ) Patients should wash hands immediately with soap and water after applying testosterone topical solution USP and cover the application site with clothing after the solution has dried. Wash the application site thoroughly with soap and water prior to any situation where skin-to-skin contact of the application site with another person is anticipated. ( 2.2 ) The application site and dose of testosterone topical solution USP are not interchangeable with other topical testosterone products. ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Dosing and Dose Adjustment The recommended starting dose of testosterone topical solution USP is 60 mg of testosterone (2 pump actuations) applied once daily. To ensure proper dosing, serum testosterone concentrations should be measured after initiation of therapy to ensure that the desired concentrations (300 ng/dL to 1050 ng/dL) are achieved. The testosterone topical solution USP dose can be adjusted based on the serum testosterone concentration from a single blood draw 2 to 8 hours after applying testosterone topical solution USP and at least 14 days after starting treatment or following dose adjustment. If the measured serum testosterone concentration is below 300 ng/dL, the daily testosterone dose may be increased from 60 mg (2 pump actuations) to 90 mg (3 pump actuations) or from 90 mg to 120 mg (4 pump actuations). If the serum testosterone concentration exceeds 1050 ng/dL, the daily testosterone dose should be decreased from 60 mg (2 pump actuations) to 30 mg (1 pump actuation) as instructed by a physician. If the serum testosterone concentration consistently exceeds 1050 ng/dL at the lowest daily dose of 30 mg (1 pump actuation), testosterone topical solution USP therapy should be discontinued. The application site and dose of testosterone topical solution USP are not interchangeable with other topical testosterone products. 2.2 Administration Instructions Testosterone topical solution USP is applied to the axilla, preferably at the same time each morning, to clean, dry, intact skin. Do not apply testosterone topical solution USP to other parts of the body including to the scrotum, penis, abdomen, shoulders or upper arms. After applying the solution, the application site should be allowed to dry completely prior to dressing. Avoid fire, flames or smoking until the solution has dried since alcohol based products, including testosterone topical solution USP, are flammable. When deodorants or antiperspirants are used as part of a regular program for personal hygiene, they should not interfere with the efficacy of testosterone topical solution USP in treating hypogonadism. If patients use an antiperspirant or deodorant (stick or roll-on) then it should be applied at least 2 minutes prior to the application of testosterone topical solution USP to avoid contamination of the stick or roll-on product. Patients should be advised to avoid swimming or washing the application site until two hours following application of testosterone topical solution USP [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ( 12.3 )] . To reduce the likelihood of interpersonal transfer of testosterone, the application site should always be washed prior to any skin-to-skin contact regardless of the length of time since application. [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS ( 5.2 )] . Testosterone topical solution USP is available as pump actuated metered-dose pump. Pump Actuated Metered-Dose Pump Testosterone topical solution USP is applied to the axilla using an applicator. When using testosterone topical solution USP for the first time, patients should be instructed to prime the pump by depressing the pump three times, discard any product dispensed directly into a basin, sink, or toilet and then wash the liquid away thoroughly. This priming should be done only prior to the first use of each pump. After priming, patients should completely depress the pump one time (1 pump actuation) to dispense 30 mg of testosterone. Ensure that the liquid is directed into the cup. The cup should be filled with no more than 30 mg (1 pump actuation) of testosterone. Dosing that requires greater than one pump actuation must be applied in increments of 30 mg as is shown in Table 1. Keeping the applicator upright, patients should place it up into the axilla and wipe steadily down and up into the axilla. If the solution drips or runs, it can be wiped back up with the applicator cup. The solution should not be rubbed into the skin with fingers or hand. The process is then repeated with application of 30 mg of testosterone (1 pump actuation) to the other axilla to achieve a total of 60 mg of testosterone applied. For patients prescribed the 90 mg dose of testosterone, the procedure is the same, but three applications are required. To dose 120 mg of testosterone, four applications are required alternating left and right for each application as shown in Table 1. When repeat application to the same axilla is required, the axilla should be allowed to dry completely before more testosterone topical solution USP is applied. After use, the applicator should be rinsed under room temperature, running water and then patted dry with a tissue. The applicator and cap are then replaced on the bottle for storage. Table 1: Application Technique Daily Prescribed Dose of Testosterone Number of Pump Actuations Application 30 mg (once daily) 1 Apply once to one axilla only (left OR right) 60 mg (once daily) 2 Apply once to the left axilla and then apply once to the right axilla. 90 mg (once daily) 3 Apply once to the left and once to the right axilla, wait for the product to dry, and then apply once again to the left OR right axilla. 120 mg (once daily) 4 Apply once to the left and once to the right axilla, wait for the product to dry, and then apply once again to the left AND once to the right axilla. Hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water after testosterone topical solution USP has been applied [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS ( 5.2 )] . Strict adherence to the following precautions is advised in order to minimize the potential for secondary exposure to testosterone from testosterone topical solution USP treated skin: Children and women should avoid contact with the unclothed or unwashed application sites on the skin of men using testosterone topical solution USP. Patients should wash their hands immediately with soap and water after application of testosterone topical solution USP. Patients should cover the application site(s) with clothing (e.g., a T-shirt) after the solution has dried. Prior to any situation in which direct skin-to-skin contact is anticipated, patients should wash the application site thoroughly with soap and water to remove any testosterone residue. In the event that unwashed or unclothed skin to which testosterone topical solution USP has been applied comes in direct contact with the skin of another person, the general area of contact on the other person should be washed with soap and water as soon as possible. While interpersonal testosterone transfer can occur with a T-shirt on, it has been shown that transfer can be substantially reduced by wearing a T-shirt and the majority of residual testosterone is removed from the skin surface by washing with soap and water.
Max Dose
See official label
Primary Use
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Testosterone topical solution USP is indicated for replacement therapy in males for conditions associated with a deficiency or absence of endogenous testosterone: Primary hypogonadism (congenital or acquired) ( 1 ) Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (congenital or acquired) ( 1 ) Limitations of use: Safety and efficacy of testosterone topical solution USP in men with "age-related hypogonadism" have not been established.
Summary

Indications and usage 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Testosterone topical solution USP is indicated for replacement therapy in males for conditions associated with a deficiency or absence of endogenous testosterone: Primary hypogonadism (congenital or acquired) ( 1 ) Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (congenital or acquired) ( 1 ) Limitations of use: Safety and efficacy of testosterone topical solution USP in men with "age-related hypogonadism" have not been established. ( 1 ) Safety and efficacy of testosterone topical solution USP in males <18 years old have not been established ( 8.4 ) Testosterone topical solution USP is indicated for replacement therapy in males for conditions associated with a deficiency or absence of endogenous testosterone: Primary hypogonadism (congenital or acquired): testicular failure due to conditions such as cryptorchidism, bilateral torsion, orchitis, vanishing testis syndrome, orchiectomy, Klinefelter's syndrome, chemotherapy, or toxic damage from alcohol or heavy metals.

These men usually have low serum testosterone concentrations and gonadotropins (FSH, LH) above the normal range.

Structured Monograph

Clinical summary

Indications and usage 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Testosterone topical solution USP is indicated for replacement therapy in males for conditions associated with a deficiency or absence of endogenous testosterone: Primary hypogonadism (congenital or acquired) ( 1 ) Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (congenital or acquired) ( 1 ) Limitations of use: Safety and efficacy of testosterone topical solution USP in men with "age-related hypogonadism" have not been established. ( 1 ) Safety and efficacy of testosterone topical solution USP in males <18 years old have not been established ( 8.4 ) Testosterone topical solution USP is indicated for replacement therapy in males for conditions associated with a deficiency or absence of endogenous testosterone: Primary hypogonadism (congenital or acquired): testicular failure due to conditions such as cryptorchidism, bilateral torsion, orchitis, vanishing testis syndrome, orchiectomy, Klinefelter's syndrome, chemotherapy, or toxic damage from alcohol or heavy metals. These men usually have low serum testosterone concentrations and gonadotropins (FSH, LH) above the normal range. Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (congenital or acquired): gonadotropin or luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) deficiency or pituitary-hypothalamic injury from tumors, trauma, or radiation. These men have low testosterone serum concentrations but have gonadotropins in the normal or low range. Limitations of use: Safety and efficacy of testosterone topical solution USP in men with "age-related hypogonadism" (also referred to as "late-onset hypogonadism") have not been established. Safety and efficacy of testosterone topical solution USP in males <18 years old have not been established [see USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS ( 8.4 )] . Dosage and administration 2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Prior to initiating testosterone topical solution USP, confirm the diagnosis of hypogonadism by ensuring that serum testosterone concentrations have been measured in the morning on at least two separate days and that these serum testosterone concentrations are below the normal range. Prior to initiating testosterone topical solution USP, confirm the diagnosis of hypogonadism by ensuring that serum testosterone has been measured in the morning on at least two separate days and that these concentrations are below the normal range ( 2 ). Starting testosterone topical solution USP dose is 60 mg of testosterone (1 pump actuation of 30 mg of testosterone to each axilla), applied once daily, at the same time each morning. ( 2.1 ) Apply to clean, dry intact skin of the axilla, not to any other parts of the body including the abdomen or genitals ( 2.2 ) Dose adjustment: The dose of testosterone may be decreased from 60 mg (2 pump actuations) to 30 mg (1 pump actuation) or increased from 60 mg to 90 mg (3 pump actuations) or from 90 mg to 120 mg (4 pump actuations) based on the serum testosterone concentration from a single blood draw 2 to 8 hours after applying testosterone topical solution USP and at least 14 days after starting treatment or following dose adjustment. ( 2.2 ) Patients should wash hands immediately with soap and water after applying testosterone topical solution USP and cover the application site with clothing after the solution has dried. Wash the application site thoroughly with soap and water prior to any situation where skin-to-skin contact of the application site with another person is anticipated. ( 2.2 ) The application site and dose of testosterone topical solution USP are not interchangeable with other topical testosterone products. ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Dosing and Dose Adjustment The recommended starting dose of testosterone topical solution USP is 60 mg of testosterone (2 pump actuations) applied once daily. To ensure proper dosing, serum testosterone concentrations should be measured after initiation of therapy to ensure that the desired concentrations (300 ng/dL to 1050 ng/dL) are achieved. The testosterone topical solution USP dose can be adjusted based on the serum testosterone concentration from a single blood draw 2 to 8 hours after applying testosterone topical solution USP and at least 14 days after starting treatment or following dose adjustment. If the measured serum testosterone concentration is below 300 ng/dL, the daily testosterone dose may be increased from 60 mg (2 pump actuations) to 90 mg (3 pump actuations) or from 90 mg to 120 mg (4 pump actuations). If the serum testosterone concentration exceeds 1050 ng/dL, the daily testosterone dose should be decreased from 60 mg (2 pump actuations) to 30 mg (1 pump actuation) as instructed by a physician. If the serum testosterone concentration consistently exceeds 1050 ng/dL at the lowest daily dose of 30 mg (1 pump actuation), testosterone topical solution USP therapy should be discontinued. The application site and dose of testosterone topical solution USP are not interchangeable with other topical testosterone products. 2.2 Administration Instructions Te

Boxed Warning

WARNING: SECONDARY EXPOSURE TO TESTOSTERONE WARNING: SECONDARY EXPOSURE TO TESTOSTERONE See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Virilization has been reported in children who were secondarily exposed to topical testosterone products ( 5.2 ) Children should avoid contact with unwashed or unclothed application sites in men using testosterone topical solution ( 2.2 , 5.2 ) Healthcare providers should advise patients to strictly adhere to recommended instructions for use ( 2.2 , 5.2 , 17 ) Virilization has been reported in children who were secondarily exposed to topical testosterone products [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS ( 5.2 )] . Children should avoid contact with unwashed or unclothed application sites in men using testosterone topical solution [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ( 2.2 ) and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS ( 5.2 )] . Healthcare providers should advise patients to strictly adhere to recommended instructions for use [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ( 2.2 ), WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS ( 5.2 ) and PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION ( 17 )] . Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 ) 03/2025

Monitoring

  • 5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Monitor patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) for worsening of signs and symptoms of BPH ( 5.1 ) Avoid unintentional exposure of women or children to testosterone topical solution.
  • Secondary exposure to testosterone can produce signs of virilization.
  • Testosterone topical solution should be discontinued until the cause of the virilization is identified ( 2.2 , 5.2 ) Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) have been reported in patients using testosterone products.
  • Evaluate patients with signs or symptoms consistent with DVT or PE.

Interaction Notes

  • 7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Androgens may decrease blood glucose and insulin requirement in diabetic patients ( 7.1 ).
  • Changes in anticoagulant activity may be seen with androgens.
  • More frequent monitoring of International Normalized Ratio (INR) and prothrombin time is recommended ( 7.2 ).
  • Use of testosterone with Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) or corticosteroids may result in increased fluid retention.