Oral Testosterone Undecanoate(Andriol(R)) for Increasing Serum Testosterone Level in Late Onset Hypogonadism Patients

Bae, Jae Hyun; Lee, Jong; Kim, Jin Wook; Kim, No Su; Yoon, Jong Hyun; Moon, Du Geon; Kim, Je Jong

Abstract

PURPOSE
Testosterone undecanoate(Andriol(R)) has been widely prescribed for late onset hypogonadism. But we believe that the major limitation of Andriol is not ineffectiveness butmay be limited by poor bioavailability. We retrospectively evaluated the changes of in serum testosterone levels correlation ofin relation to daily dose and time to taking medicineof day at which the medicine is taken, retrospectively.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We reviewed 135 medical records of late onset hypogonadism patients who have had been prescribed testosterone undecanoate. Statistical analysis was done to identify the any correlations of between dosage, medication timing(after meals or during meals), age, serum testosterone level(initial, peak during therapy, final), and duration of therapy.
RESULTS
Mean age, duration of therapy and daily dosage was were 50.1+/-14.2 years, 311+/-283 days, and 3.5+/-1.3 tablets, respectively. Initial, final, and peak serum testosterone levels(ng/dl) was were 1.9+/-1.1, 2.7+/-1.7, and 3.4+/-1.8, respectively. The peak and final testosterone levels were highly correlated(r=0.80) and significantly elevated compared to the initial level(p<0.01, both). Patients taking medicine during the meals showed a significantly higher increment of peak testosterone level compared to those taking it after meals(p=0.04). The serum testosterone level was positively correlated to dosage until up to 4 tablets per day, but not after at 5 tablets or more. Initial serum testosterone level was negatively correlated to the final increment of testosterone level. Duration of therapy and, age of patient was were not correlated to final increment of testosterone level.
CONCLUSIONS
In this study, oral testosterone undecanoate effectively elevated serum testosterone level. And it was more effective for the patients of having lower initial serum testosterone. These results suggest that an optimal prescription of oral testosterone undecanoate can effectively increase the serum concentration of testosterone. For a more conclusive of findings on the effectiveness of oral testosterone undecanoate, large prospective studies are will be required.