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Compare Androgel vs. Delatestryl

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Testosterone gel (Testim, AndroGel, Fortesta, Vogelxo) and testosterone enanthate (Delatestryl) are both testosterone replacement therapies used to treat low testosterone levels (hypogonadism) in males. They belong to the same medication class and work by raising testosterone to normal levels. However, they differ in their administration and specific uses. Testosterone gel is applied to the skin once daily, while testosterone enanthate is injected by a healthcare professional into the muscle every 2 to 4 weeks. Testosterone enanthate is also FDA-approved for treating delayed puberty in males and metastatic breast cancer in females, whereas testosterone gel is not. Testosterone gel can accidentially expose others to the medication through skin-to-skin contact, which can cause unwanted side effects in those exposed, while the injection does not have this risk. Common side effects of the gel include skin irritation and acne, while the injection can cause acne, pain at the injection site, and more frequent erections. Both medications can interact with blood thinners, increasing the risk of bleeding.

  • Testosterone gel
    Testosterone enanthate
  • Testosterone gel
    Testosterone enanthate

  • Summary of Androgel vs. Delatestryl

    Summary for Testosterone replacement
    Prescription only

    Testosterone gel is used to treat low testosterone in adult males. It's convenient to use because you only have to apply it to your skin once a day. But compared to other forms of testosterone, there's a higher risk of exposing others to the medication through skin-to-skin contact.

    Summary for Testosterone replacement
    Prescription only

    Testosterone enanthate is a testosterone replacement therapy. It's mainly used in males to treat low testosterone levels and delayed puberty. It's also FDA-approved in females for treating metastatic breast cancer, but it's not a first-choice option for this condition. Testosterone enanthate is given as a deep injection into the muscle of the buttock, typically every 2 to 4 weeks by a healthcare professional (HCP). Side effects can include acne and pain or swelling at the injection site.

  • Indications of Androgel vs. Delatestryl

    Indications for
    •Low testosterone (hypogonadism)
    Indications for
    •Low testosterone (hypogonadism) in males
    •Delayed puberty in males
    •Metastatic breast cancer that have spread to the bones in females who've started menopause in the past 1 to 5 years

  • Pros and Cons of Androgel vs. Delatestryl

    Pros and Const for Testosterone replacement
    Pros
    •Works well to replace testosterone in your body
    •Applied once a day to your skin, so it's easy to use
    •Available in tubes, packets, or as a pump
    •Some brand names are available as lower-cost generics
    Cons
    •Can cause skin irritation
    •Need to avoid skin-to-skin transfer to other people
    •Need to wait hours before you can shower, swim, or bathe
    •Have to follow specific instructions on where and how it can be applied
    Pros and Const for Testosterone replacement
    Pros
    •Starts to work in 1-3 days to raise testosterone levels
    •Only needs to be used once every 2 to 4 weeks
    •Can be injected at home for some people
    •Available in a lower-cost, generic form
    Cons
    •In females, can cause the development of male features, including deepening of the voice, acne, absence of menstrual periods, and more facial and body hair
    •Needs to be injected into the buttock muscle
    •Only available as an injection
    •Contains sesame oil, so might not be a good option if you have an allergy to sesame

  • Common Side Effects of Androgel vs. Delatestryl

    Common Side Effects for
    •Skin irritation
    •Skin rash
    •Itchiness
    •High red blood cell count
    •Enlarged prostate
    •Acne
    Common Side Effects for

    Males

    •Enlargement of male breasts
    •Acne
    •More erections
    •Pain at the injection site

    Females

    •Deepening of the voice
    •Acne
    •Absence of or irregular menstrual periods
    •More hair on the face and body
    •Pain at the injection site

  • Warnings of Androgel vs. Delatestryl

    Common Side Effects for
    •Early puberty or development of male features
    •High red blood cell count and blood clots
    •Heart attack and stroke
    •Potential for misuse, addiction, and dependency
    •Worsening symptoms of enlarged prostate and prostate cancer
    •Liver problems
    •Swelling in the arms and legs (edema)
    •Breathing problems during sleep (sleep apnea)
    •High calcium in the blood
    Common Side Effects for
    •Risk of blood clots, including heart attack or stroke
    •Prostate problems
    •Potential for misuse, dependency, and addiction
    •Liver problems
    •Low sperm count
    •Swelling in the legs or arms (edema)
    •High calcium levels in the blood
    •Fast bone maturation in children
    •Severe allergic reactions

  • Prices with our coupons for Androgel vs. Delatestryl

    Learn more about Testosterone gel
    Learn more about Testosterone enanthate

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