Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.
Key takeaways
Testosterone gel (Testim, AndroGel, Fortesta, Vogelxo) and Striant (testosterone) are both used to treat low testosterone in adult males, but they have some key differences. Testosterone topical gel is applied to the skin once a day. It is available as under different brand names and as lower-cost generics and comes in various forms such as tubes, packets, and pumps. The gel can cause skin irritation and requires careful handling to avoid transferring the medication to others through skin contact. On the other hand, Striant was an oral tablet placed over the upper gum to dissolve, but it has been discontinued and is no longer available in the United States. Striant's discontinuation means you need to consider other testosterone replacement therapies like topical gel or testosterone injections.
Testosterone gel
Testosterone oral tablet
Testosterone gel
Testosterone oral tablet
Summary of Androgel vs. Striant
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
The testosterone oral tablet is used to treat low testosterone in adult males. It's no longer available in the United States because it was discontinued.