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Transdermal Testosterone

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Summary

  • ▴ Nightly application of testosterone transdermal (TTD) system to nonscrotal sites in men with hypogonadism results in a 24-hour serum testosterone concentration profile which mimics the circadian pattern observed in healthy young men.

  • ▴ The system also normalises dihydrotestosterone/testosterone and estradiol/testosterone ratios and reduces luteinising hormone levels towards the normal range.

  • ▴ A multicentre, open-label study demonstrated that nocturnal erectile response and overall sexual function improved during 12 months’ treatment with the TTD system (5 mg/day) in men with hypogonadism. Individual variables of sexual desire, arousal, frequency of sexual activity, orgasm and satisfaction also improved.

  • ▴ The TTD system is well tolerated, with application site reactions such as pruritus, burn-like blisters and erythema being the most commonly reported events.

  • ▴ Prostate-specific antigen levels and prostate volume remain in the normal range during long term treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Adis International Limited, 41 Centorian Drive, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, 10, New Zealand

    Karen J. McClellan & Karen L. Goa

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  1. Karen J. McClellan
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  2. Karen L. Goa
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Correspondence to Karen J. McClellan.

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McClellan, K.J., Goa, K.L. Transdermal Testosterone. Drugs 55, 253–258 (1998). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-199855020-00006

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-199855020-00006

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