Tostran®

What is Tostran?

Tostran is a topical gel that contains the male hormone testosterone. When your body doesn’t produce enough testosterone naturally, it can cause symptoms like reduced muscle mass and strength, lowered libido, and depression. Tostran replaces the ‘lost’ testosterone to help relieve and manage these symptoms.

How does Tostran work?

The testosterone in Tostran is absorbed through your skin into your bloodstream, which means it bypasses your liver’s first-pass metabolism. This means it reduces some of the risks normally associated with oral testosterone, and is carried around your body through your blood.^[1] This replaces ‘lost’ testosterone if your body isn’t producing enough naturally, and helps relieve symptoms of low testosterone (also known as hypogonadism). For this reason, it’s sometimes called HRT (hormone replacement therapy) or TRT (testosterone replacement therapy).

What doses does Tostran come in?

Tostran gel is available in one dose. It contains 20 mg of testosterone per gram of gel. You’ll usually start by taking 3 g of gel per day, containing 60 mg of testosterone, which is 6 pumps of Tostran. Your healthcare provider may adjust this dose to match your needs, depending on whether Tostran is managing your symptoms effectively or to reduce any side effects.

How to use Tostran

Always follow your clinician’s instructions when taking Tostran. You should apply the gel onto clean, dry, unbroken skin once a day at around the same time each day. You can either rub the gel into your stomach (over an area of at least 10 cm by 30 cm), or split it in half and rub it into the inside of each thigh (over an area of at least 10 cm by 15 cm). It’s usually recommended to alternate between your stomach and thighs each day.

Once the gel has dried, cover the area you applied it to with clean clothing, and then thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. Make sure your application site doesn’t come into contact with another person – and if you’re going to be in a situation where it does, clean it thoroughly with soap and water beforehand. You should wait at least two hours after applying Tostran before washing, swimming, or bathing, to give it a chance to be absorbed into your skin.

How long does it take for Tostran to work?

Tostran gel will begin to be absorbed into your bloodstream as soon as you apply it. But it can take a few months before it brings your testosterone levels up to average to relieve your symptoms. One study where 180 men took testosterone 2% gel for 3 months found 85.5% of men had reached average testosterone levels after treatment.^[1]

What should I do if I make a mistake taking Tostran?

If you apply more Tostran than your clinician has recommended, wash the application site with soap and water as soon as possible and contact your doctor. Symptoms of testosterone overdose may include irritability, nervousness, weight gain, and frequent or long lasting erections.

If you forget to apply Tostran, you can apply it as soon as you remember as long as it’s 12 or more hours before your next dose is due. If it’s less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the missed application and carry on as normal from the upcoming one. Never apply a double dose to make up for missed doses.