Pharmacokinetics and drying time of testosterone 2% gel in men with hypogonadism: a multicenter, open-label, single-arm trial

Int J Impot Res. 2015 Mar-Apr;27(2):41-5. doi: 10.1038/ijir.2014.28. Epub 2014 Jul 24.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess drying time after application of testosterone 2% gel (Fortesta Gel, Endo Pharmaceuticals), time needed for serum total testosterone (TT) to reach the eugonadal range (⩾ 300 ng dl(-1)), and time to steady-state serum TT. Thirty-four men with primary or secondary hypogonadism were enrolled in the study; 31 men were included in the pharmacokinetics (PKs) population. Testosterone 2% gel (40 mg) was applied once daily in the morning to the front and inner thighs for 14 days. Median gel drying time was 2.4 min (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.7-3.4 min; n = 31). Serum TT concentrations reached the target eugonadal range with a median time of 2.9 h (95% CI, 1.9-4.3 h; n = 24). Median time to steady-state serum TT concentration was 1.1 days (95% CI, 0.7-3.4 days; n = 31). Six patients (17.6%; n = 34) reported treatment-related adverse events; all were mild. The results from this 14-day PK study in men with hypogonadism suggest that testosterone 2% gel dries, on average, in <3 min after application and that testosterone 2% gel rapidly reaches the target eugonadal range and attains steady-state serum TT concentrations in about 1 day.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Androgens / administration & dosage
  • Androgens / blood*
  • Androgens / pharmacokinetics*
  • Gels
  • Humans
  • Hypogonadism / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Testosterone / administration & dosage
  • Testosterone / blood*
  • Testosterone / pharmacokinetics*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Androgens
  • Gels
  • Testosterone