Key takeaways
Testosterone gel (Testim, AndroGel, Fortesta, Vogelxo) and Aveed (testosterone undecanoate) are both testosterone replacement therapies used to treat low testosterone in adult males. They belong to the same drug class and are FDA-approved for hypogonadism. However, they have some important differences. Testosterone gel is applied topically once a day, while Aveed is an intramuscular injection given by a healthcare professional every 10 weeks after the initial doses. Testosterone gel can accidentially expose others to the medication through skin-to-skin contact, which can cause unwanted side effects in those exposed. Aveed, on the other hand, requires a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) and must be injected by a healthcare professional due to risks of pulmonary oil microembolism (POME) and severe allergic reactions. Common side effects of testosterone gel include skin irritation, rash, and acne, while Aveed may cause acne, injection site pain, and fatigue. Both medications can interact with blood thinners like warfarin, increasing the risk of bleeding. Testosterone gel is available in generic forms, whereas Aveed is only available as a brand-name medication.
