Androgel Pump Gel: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

AndroGel Pump Gel is a prescription testosterone gel used as replacement therapy in adult men whose bodies do not make enough testosterone. It is applied once daily to the skin of the shoulders and upper arms to raise low testosterone levels toward the normal range. It may help improve symptoms linked to low testosterone and carries specific warnings about skin transfer to others, prostate health, and blood clot risk.

What is Androgel Pump Gel

AndroGel is a prescription gel that contains testosterone, a male hormone made naturally in the body. It is applied to the skin to replace testosterone in adult men whose bodies do not make enough of it.

Androgel Pump Gel uses

• Replacement therapy in adult men for low or absent testosterone caused by primary hypogonadism (a problem with the testicles)
• Replacement therapy in adult men for low or absent testosterone caused by hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (a problem with the pituitary or hypothalamus gland)

Benefits of Androgel Pump Gel

• Raises low testosterone levels toward the normal range seen in healthy men
• May improve symptoms linked to low testosterone such as low sex drive, erection problems, tiredness, low mood, and bone loss caused by low hormone levels

How Androgel Pump Gel works

Testosterone and a related hormone called DHT are needed for normal male sexual development and traits like body hair, muscle, and a deeper voice. Low testosterone (hypogonadism) can happen because the testicles don't work properly, or because the brain's pituitary gland doesn't send the right signals. AndroGel replaces testosterone through the skin to bring levels back toward normal.

Androgel Pump Gel dosage

Apply once daily in the morning, at about the same time each day. Apply only to clean, dry, healthy (unbroken) skin of the shoulders and upper arms; do not apply to the abdomen, genitals, chest, armpits, or knees (for the 1.62% strength). Spread the gel in a thin layer and do not rub it into the skin. Let the application site dry completely before getting dressed. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water right away after applying. Once the gel has dried, cover the application site with clothing, such as a t-shirt.

Avoid fire, flames, or smoking until the gel has fully dried because it is flammable while wet. Wait at least 2 hours after applying before swimming, showering, or bathing. Before any expected skin-to-skin contact with another person, wash the application site well with soap and water.

If a pump is new, it must be primed before the first use by pressing the pump down fully three times and discarding that gel safely; priming is only needed once. Do not change your dose without talking to your healthcare provider. If you forget a dose, do not double up next time — just apply the next dose at the usual time.

Safety and effectiveness have not been established in men with age-related (late-onset) low testosterone, and it is not meant for use in children, adolescents, or women.

Available forms and strengths

• Metered-dose pump gel
• Single-use gel packets

Side effects of Androgel Pump Gel

Common

• Increased prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a test used to screen for prostate problems
• Mood swings, irritability, anger, or aggression
• High blood pressure
• Increased red blood cell count (hematocrit or hemoglobin)
• Skin irritation, acne, or other reaction at the application site
• Sleeplessness or abnormal dreams
• Increased sex drive

Serious

• Signs of early puberty, body hair changes, or acne in a child or woman who had accidental skin contact with the gel (testosterone transfer)
• Worsening of an enlarged prostate, including increased nighttime urination, trouble starting the urine stream, urgency, or weak urine flow
• Possible increased risk of prostate cancer
• Blood clots in the legs (pain, swelling, redness) or lungs (difficulty breathing, chest pain)
• Possible increased risk of heart attack or stroke
• Lowered sperm count with large doses
• Swelling of ankles, feet, or body, with or without heart failure
• Enlarged or painful breasts
• Worsening of sleep apnea (breathing problems during sleep)
• Too frequent or long-lasting erections

Warnings and precautions

• Testosterone gel can transfer from your skin to other people, especially children and women, through skin-to-skin contact. This can cause early signs of puberty in children or masculine changes in women.
• Do not use this medicine if you have, or might have, breast cancer or prostate cancer.
• Blood clots in the legs or lungs have been reported with testosterone products. Get checked if you notice leg pain, swelling, or sudden shortness of breath.
• Some studies suggest a possible increased risk of heart attack and stroke with testosterone replacement therapy.
• This medicine may worsen an enlarged prostate (BPH) and may be linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer; your doctor should monitor you regularly.
• This medicine may cause or worsen sleep apnea (breathing problems during sleep), especially in people who are overweight or have lung disease.
• This medicine is a controlled substance because it can be misused or abused; never share it with anyone else.
• AndroGel must not be used by women, including pregnant women, because it can harm an unborn baby. Pregnant women should avoid any contact with skin where the gel has been applied. AndroGel is not meant for use in women, including those who are breastfeeding.
• No studies have looked at how this medicine affects people with kidney problems, so tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, as fluid retention and swelling can be a serious complication in people with kidney disease.
• No studies have looked at how this medicine affects people with liver problems, so tell your doctor if you have liver disease, as fluid retention and swelling can be a serious complication in people with liver disease.
• This product contains alcohol and is flammable until it dries completely on the skin. Avoid fire, flames, or smoking until it has dried.
• This medicine has no known effect on your ability to drive or use machines.

Storage

• Store at controlled room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C to 25°C); brief changes between 59°F and 86°F (15°C to 30°C) are permitted
• Alternate source: do not store above 30°C and discard the product 60 days after first opening
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children
• Keep away from fire
• Throw away used pumps or packets in the household trash in a way that prevents accidental use by children or pets

When to see a doctor

• Stop using the medicine and call your healthcare provider right away if a child or woman shows signs of accidental exposure, such as unusual sexual development, body hair changes, or acne, after touching your skin where the gel was applied.
• Get medical help right away if you have signs of a blood clot, such as leg pain, swelling, or redness, or sudden difficulty breathing or chest pain.
• Call your doctor right away if you have any of the serious side effects described, including worsening urinary symptoms, swelling, breast enlargement or pain, or breathing problems during sleep.
• Seek medical advice promptly if you use more of this medicine than you should.

Alternatives

• Testosterone patch
• Testosterone injection
• Testosterone nasal gel