The recommended starting daily dose of Testim is 5 g of gel (1 tube) containing 50 mg of testosterone. Morning serum testosterone levels should be measured approximately 14 days after initiation of therapy to ensure normal male serum testosterone levels (>300 ng/dL) are achieved. If the serum testosterone concentration remains below the normal range, or if the desired clinical response is not achieved, the daily Testim dose may be increased to 10 g (2 tubes) as instructed by the physician.1
Patients should be directed to apply Testim every day as part of their morning routine to help raise their testosterone levels.
Patients should be advised to carefully read the Testim Medication Guide and to follow the instructions for use.
Patients should apply Testim at the same time every day, for example, after their morning shower. Their skin should be clean and dry before they use Testim.
Patients should tap the tube a few times, then gently pierce the seal of the tube with the cap. They should then squeeze the entire contents into their hands. Used tubes should be discarded where they will be out of the reach of children, to avoid accidental exposure.
Next, patients should immediately apply gel to the area of their shoulders and upper arms that will be covered by a short-sleeved T-shirt. Patients should rub the gel onto their skin for several seconds until the gel is dry. This helps ensure that Testim will enter their system, so they may get the benefits Testim is designed to provide. Instruct them to let Testim dry before they put on their shirt.
After patients apply Testim, they should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water. This helps prevent transferring Testim to someone else's skin. They must wear clothing over the application sites after the gel has dried, because the testosterone in Testim must not come in contact with women and children. If patients anticipate direct skin-to-skin contact, they must wash the application sites thoroughly with soap and water.