AndroGel is a brand name testosterone gel medication. The drug is a clear gel, used in hormone replacement therapy in men who do not produce enough testosterone themselves. Those who are prescribed AndroGel should consult their doctors for dosage information before starting hormone replacement. Using the drug incorrectly could lead to unpleasant or potentially serious side effects.
Step 1
Wash and dry an area of skin on your shoulders, upper arm or lower part of your stomach. These are the recommended application sites for AndroGel, according to MayoClinic.com.
Step 2
Rub the prescribed dosage of AndroGel into your skin at the application site. Ask your doctor if you can use the same application site every day or if you need to rotate locations among your stomach, shoulders or arms. The medication is available in individual 5 g packets or a pump that produces 1.25 g with each pumping. Solvay Pharmaceuticals Inc. explains that usual doages of the medication range from 5 to 10 g daily.
Step 3
Let the gel dry for a few minutes before you get dressed. The testosterone is absorbed into your skin over a period of hours, but the medication will not be as effective if it gets wiped off onto your clothing before completely drying on your skin.
Step 4
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after applying AndroGel. You can easily transfer the drug to another person through physical contact, and this can cause harmful side effects in women and children.
Step 5
Wait a few hours after applying testosterone gel before taking a shower. MayoClinic.com reports that the medicine washes off easily with soap and water; if you shower too soon, an adequate dose may not be properly absorbed.
Things You'll Need
- AndroGel
- Soap
