testosterone enantate at a glance
Medicine class
Depot androgen (testosterone ester)
Licensed use
Testosterone replacement for confirmed male hypogonadism
Administration
Very slow intramuscular injection by a healthcare professional
Key monitoring
Testosterone, red-cell measures, prostate health, liver function and lipids
What is testosterone enantate used for?
The selected UK product has one licensed indication. Testosterone is also used in some specialist settings outside this product’s licence.
Licensed: testosterone replacement therapy for male hypogonadism when deficiency is confirmed by clinical features and biochemical tests.
Non-licensed context: specialist gender-affirming care; this is not an indication in the selected product’s SmPC.
How does testosterone enantate work?
The enantate ester forms a depot in muscle and is gradually converted to testosterone. The released hormone produces the effects of naturally occurring testosterone, including maintaining androgen-dependent tissues and sexual characteristics.
How to take testosterone enantate
A doctor or nurse gives this oily solution as a very slow injection into a muscle. Food does not affect an intramuscular injection.
The solution should be used immediately after being drawn into the syringe.
The ampoule should be protected from light and the solution checked for particles before use.
Observation during and immediately after injection helps identify rare pulmonary oil microembolism.
testosterone enantate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Increased red blood cell count, haemoglobin or haematocrit, usually detected by blood tests
- Weight gain
Get urgent medical advice
- Allergic reaction, including facial or throat swelling, severe rash, breathing difficulty or faintness
- Rare pulmonary oil microembolism during or immediately after injection, causing cough, breathlessness, sweating, chest pain, dizziness or fainting
- Possible blood clot symptoms, such as one-sided leg swelling, sudden breathlessness, chest pain or sudden loss of vision
- Severe or persistent upper-abdominal pain; liver tumours and internal bleeding have rarely been reported
- A persistent painful erection
testosterone enantate in pregnancy
The selected product is intended for men and is not indicated during pregnancy because fetal virilisation is possible. Testosterone is not reliable contraception. Anyone who could become pregnant should contact their prescriber immediately if pregnancy is suspected and should not stop treatment without advice.
testosterone enantate while breastfeeding
The selected product is not indicated during breastfeeding. Testosterone may affect milk supply, so continuing or restarting treatment while breastfeeding or chestfeeding requires discussion with the specialist or prescriber.
testosterone enantate interactions
Tell the prescriber about all medicines because testosterone can alter treatment response or laboratory results.
Coumarin anticoagulants, such as warfarin
The anticoagulant response may change, requiring closer clotting monitoring.
Insulin and other glucose-lowering medicines
Testosterone may increase their glucose-lowering effect, so glucose control and treatment may need review.
SGLT2 inhibitors
Combined use may further increase haemoglobin and haematocrit, requiring blood-count monitoring.
Common questions about testosterone enantate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is testosterone enantate licensed to treat in the UK?
Testosterone replacement in adult men with hypogonadism confirmed by clinical features and biochemical tests.
Is testosterone enantate an anabolic steroid?
It is an androgenic anabolic steroid related to naturally occurring testosterone. It is not licensed to increase muscle or athletic performance in healthy people.
Can testosterone enantate be self-injected?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.