Comparison of Testosterone Replacement Therapy Medications in the Treatment of Hypogonadism

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is 1 treatment option for men with hypogonadism. When TRT is prescribed, effectiveness, patient compliance, cost, and potential side effects should be considered and used to develop an individualized treatment plan. Depo-Testosterone (Pfizer Inc, New York, NY, USA) is the most cost-efficient TRT option and is only administered every 2 weeks, which may improve patient compliance, although the dose interval can be adjusted to once per week. Androderm is the most efficacious TRT medication, with up to 92% of patients reaching normal testosterone levels. Testim (Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc, Malvern, PA, USA) and Vogelxo (Upsher-Smith Laboratories Inc, Maple Grove, MN, USA) have the fewest reported side effects. We recommend Depo-Testosterone as a first-line treatment option. •Testosterone replacement therapy can be delivered intramuscularly, nasally, buccally, and topically.•Transdermal testosterone is effective at regulating testosterone levels.•Depo-Testosterone promotes patient compliance, is safe, and is affordable.•Nurse practitioners should initiate testosterone replacement with Depo-Testosterone.