Treatment options for a patient experiencing pruritic rash associated with transdermal testosterone: a review of the literature

Pharmacotherapy. 2001 Nov;21(11):1425-35. doi: 10.1592/phco.21.17.1425.34428.

Abstract

A 22-year-old man with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism was receiving monthly intramuscular injections of testosterone replacement therapy. The patient refused to self-administer the injections because of discomfort, so the therapy was switched to testosterone patches. He experienced a pruritic, macular, erythematous rash underneath the reservoir area of two different transdermal formulations, which did not improve after pretreatment with topical corticosteroids. Eventually, he tolerated application of a testosterone gel and his serum testosterone levels returned to normal after 1 month of therapy. Commercially available and investigational testosterone products and therapeutic monitoring guidelines for androgen replacement are reviewed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Adult
  • Gels
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy / methods*
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intradermal
  • Male
  • Pruritus / chemically induced*
  • Testosterone / administration & dosage*
  • Testosterone / adverse effects*
  • Testosterone / pharmacokinetics

Substances

  • Gels
  • Testosterone