Table 3.

Testosterone treatment formulations currently approved by Health Canada

Generic name	Trade name	Dosage	Comments
Injectables
Testosterone   Enanthate	Delatestryl	100–200 mg every 1–4 weeks	– Cost-effective – Typically delivered intramuscularly (IM) into large muscle, including the thigh or gluteal. May require regular clinic visits
Testosterone   Cypionate	Depotestosterone	200 mg every 2 weeks or 100 mg weekly	– Wide fluctuations in testosterone levels requires mid-cycle testosterone monitoring – Higher risk for polycythemia
Oral medication
Testosterone   Undecanoate	Andriol	40 mg capsules Initial dose of 120–160 mg per day in 2 divided doses	– Absorption enhanced with fat-rich diet – Short half-life requires multiple daily dosing – Clinical and biochemical variability
Transdermal
Testosterone patch   Testosterone gels	Androderm Androgel Testim	2.5 or 5 mg per day 5–10 g per day	– Rash/skin irritation common (patch) – Transfer of medication to intimate contact (gel) – Variable absorption
Tans-nasal gel
	Natesto 4.5%	5.5 mg (1 pump from the actuator device) applied to each nostril (11 mg total), two times daily, at least 6 hours apart. Total daily dose of 22 mg	– Approved by Health Canada but currently unavailable due to a manufacturing modification – Potentially less suppression of spermatogenesis

Adapted from published product monographs for Androgel, Testim, Natesto, Androderm, Andriol, Delatestryl, Depo-testosterone.