Key takeaways
Fluoxymesterone (Androxy) and testosterone gel (Testim, AndroGel, Fortesta, Vogelxo) are both used to treat low testosterone levels in males. However, they belong to different medication classes and have distinct characteristics. Fluoxymesterone was also used to treat breast cancer in females, but it has been discontinued in the United States. While fluoxymesterone was taken orally, testosterone gel is applied to the skin once a day, which can be more convenient but also poses a risk of transferring the medication to others through skin contact. Testosterone gel is available in several brand names and some generics, each with specific application instructions. Common side effects of testosterone gel include skin irritation and acne.
