Senior Health Channel
Topics & Medications
Quicklinks
Related Channels
Depo-Testosterone
Depo-Testosterone is a prescription medicine licensed to treat low testosterone levels in men. It comes as an injection that is given in a muscle every two to four weeks in most cases. Because this medicine contains testosterone in a special oil formulation, testosterone is slowly absorbed from the oil into the bloodstream. Side effects may include pain and inflammation at the injection site.
Interested in a Discount on Depo-Testosterone?
Enter your email address to see if eMedTV's free DiscountRx service has a program that could help you save on your prescription(s).
Thank you!
Thank you for your interest in DiscountRx from eMedTV. An email has been sent to the address you provided. Please follow the link within that email to see what offers may be available.
Depo®-Testosterone (testosterone cypionate) is a prescription injection approved to treat low testosterone levels in men due to various causes. Because it is an anabolic steroid, it is classified as a controlled substance in the United States. This means that special laws and regulations control its sale and use.
(Click Depo-Testosterone Uses for more information on this topic, including possible off-label uses.)
Depo-Testosterone is made by Pfizer Inc.
Depo-Testosterone contains the hormone testosterone in a special oil formulation that is injected into a muscle. Testosterone is slowly absorbed from the oil into the bloodstream after the injection, allowing for injections just once every two to four weeks in most cases. It works by increasing testosterone to a normal level.
Depo-Testosterone must be injected, as taking it by mouth would have little effect on testosterone levels. When medications are taken by mouth, they must first pass through the liver before they reach the bloodstream. The liver metabolizes testosterone extensively before it has a chance to reach the bloodstream, and adequate blood levels of the medication usually cannot be achieved. However, when testosterone is injected into a muscle, it bypasses the liver, allowing significant amounts of the hormone to reach the bloodstream.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD



