Daily Quantity of Androgen 1.62% Gel at 4 Pumps Per Day
The daily quantity of androgen with 1.62% formulation at 4 pumps per day is 81 mg of testosterone per day. 1
Dosage Calculation
- AndroGel 1.62% delivers 20.25 mg of testosterone per pump (or per 1.25-g packet) 1
- At 4 pumps daily, this equals 20.25 mg × 4 = 81 mg of testosterone per day 1
- This falls within the typical dose range for AndroGel 1.62%, which is 20.25-81 mg/day 1
Administration Guidelines
- Application should be on dry, intact skin of the back, abdomen, upper thighs, and upper arms 1
- The gel should be applied at the same time each day to maintain consistent testosterone levels 1
- Patients should wash hands thoroughly after application to prevent transfer to others 1
Monitoring Considerations
- Testosterone levels can vary substantially with gel use, though not in a predictable way 1
- For patients using transdermal preparations, testosterone levels can be measured at any time 1
- Target mid-normal testosterone values (500-600 ng/dL) 1
Safety Considerations
- Potential for transfer to partners or children through skin-to-skin contact is a significant concern 1
- FDA required labeling changes in 2015 to inform about possible increased risk of heart attack and stroke with testosterone preparations 1
- Transdermal gels may be safer than injectable testosterone preparations regarding cardiovascular events 1
- Transdermal preparations avoid the fluctuating testosterone levels (peaks and valleys) seen with injections 1
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Failure to properly apply the gel to clean, dry skin can reduce absorption 1
- Not washing hands after application increases risk of testosterone transfer to others 1
- Using higher than prescribed doses can increase risk of adverse effects without proportional benefits 2
- Discontinuing monitoring after initial prescription may miss development of adverse effects 1