Key takeaways
Testosterone gel (Testim, AndroGel, Fortesta, Vogelxo) and testosterone tablet (Striant) are both testosterone replacement medications used to treat low testosterone in adult males. However, they differ in their form and availability. Testosterone gel, available under brand names like Testim, AndroGel, Fortesta, and Vogelxo, is applied topically to the skin once a day. It is still available and comes in various forms, such as tubes, packets, or pumps. In contrast, Striant was an orally dissolving tablet, but it has been discontinued in the United States. The gel poses a risk of transferring testosterone to others through skin contact, which can cause unwanted side effects, while the oral tablet didn't have this risk. Testosterone gel can cause skin irritation and has a risk of misuse and dependency, whereas the oral tablet's side effects are not detailed due to its discontinuation. Additionally, testosterone gel can interact with blood thinners like warfarin, increasing the risk of bleeding, a concern not mentioned for the oral tablet.
