Chemical compound
Pharmaceutical compound
Testosterone propionate Trade names Testoviron, others Other names TP; Testosterone propanoate; Testosterone 17β-propanoate; Propionyltestosterone; NSC-9166 Routes of administration Intramuscular injection , buccal Drug class Androgen ; Anabolic steroid ; Androgen ester Legal status
Bioavailability Oral : very lowIntramuscular : very highMetabolism Liver Elimination half-life Intramuscular : 0.8 days (~20 hours)[ 1] [ 2] [ 3] Excretion Urine
[(8R ,9S ,10R ,13S ,14S ,17S )-10,13-dimethyl-3-oxo-1,2,6,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydrocyclopenta[a ]phenanthren-17-yl] propanoate
CAS Number PubChem CID DrugBank ChemSpider UNII KEGG ChEBI ChEMBL CompTox Dashboard (EPA ) ECHA InfoCard 100.000.319 Formula C 22 H 32 O 3 Molar mass 344.495 g·mol−1 3D model (JSmol )
CCC(=O)O[C@H]1CC[C@@H]2[C@@]1(CC[C@H]3[C@H]2CCC4=CC(=O)CC[C@]34C)C
InChI=1S/C22H32O3/c1-4-20(24)25-19-8-7-17-16-6-5-14-13-15(23)9-11-21(14,2)18(16)10-12-22(17,19)3/h13,16-19H,4-12H2,1-3H3/t16-,17-,18-,19-,21-,22-/m0/s1
Key:PDMMFKSKQVNJMI-BLQWBTBKSA-N
Testosterone propionate , sold under the brand name Testoviron among others, is an androgen and anabolic steroid (AAS) medication which is used mainly in the treatment of low testosterone levels in men .[ 4] [ 1] [ 5] It has also been used to treat breast cancer in women.[ 6] It is given by injection into muscle usually once every two to three days.[ 5] [ 7] [ 8]
Side effects of testosterone propionate include symptoms of masculinization like acne , increased hair growth , voice changes , and increased sexual desire .[ 5] Testosterone supplementation is also known to reduce the threshold for aggressive behavior in men.[ 9] The drug is a synthetic androgen and anabolic steroid and hence is an agonist of the androgen receptor (AR), the biological target of androgens like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT).[ 10] [ 5] It has strong androgenic effects and moderate anabolic effects, which make it useful for producing masculinization and suitable for androgen replacement therapy .[ 5] Testosterone propionate is a testosterone ester and a relatively short-acting prodrug of testosterone in the body.[ 7] [ 4] [ 1] Because of this, it is considered to be a natural and bioidentical form of testosterone.[ 11]
Testosterone propionate was discovered in 1936 and was introduced for medical use in 1937.[ 12] [ 4] It was the first testosterone ester to be marketed, and was the major form of testosterone used in medicine until about 1960.[ 4] [ 5] The introduction of longer-acting testosterone esters like testosterone enanthate , testosterone cypionate , and testosterone undecanoate starting in the 1950s resulted in testosterone propionate mostly being superseded.[ 4] [ 5] As such, it is rarely used today.[ 5] [ 13] In addition to its medical use, testosterone propionate is used to improve physique and performance .[ 5] The drug is a controlled substance in many countries and so non-medical use is generally illicit.[ 5]
Medical uses
Testosterone propionate is used primarily in androgen replacement therapy . It is specifically approved for the treatment of hypogonadism in men, breast cancer , low sexual desire , delayed puberty in boys, and menopausal symptoms .[ 14]
Androgen replacement therapy formulations and dosages used in men
Route
Medication
Major brand names
Form
Dosage
Oral
Testosterone a
–
Tablet
400–800 mg/day (in divided doses)
Testosterone undecanoate
Andriol, Jatenzo
Capsule
40–80 mg/2–4× day (with meals)
Methyltestosterone b
Android, Metandren, Testred
Tablet
10–50 mg/day
Fluoxymesterone b
Halotestin, Ora-Testryl, Ultandren
Tablet
5–20 mg/day
Metandienone b
Dianabol
Tablet
5–15 mg/day
Mesterolone b
Proviron
Tablet
25–150 mg/day
Sublingual
Testosterone b
Testoral
Tablet
5–10 mg 1–4×/day
Methyltestosterone b
Metandren, Oreton Methyl
Tablet
10–30 mg/day
Buccal
Testosterone
Striant
Tablet
30 mg 2×/day
Methyltestosterone b
Metandren, Oreton Methyl
Tablet
5–25 mg/day
Transdermal
Testosterone
AndroGel, Testim, TestoGel
Gel
25–125 mg/day
Androderm, AndroPatch, TestoPatch
Non-scrotal patch
2.5–15 mg/day
Testoderm
Scrotal patch
4–6 mg/day
Axiron
Axillary solution
30–120 mg/day
Androstanolone (DHT )
Andractim
Gel
100–250 mg/day
Rectal
Testosterone
Rektandron, Testosteronb
Suppository
40 mg 2–3×/day
Injection (IM Tooltip intramuscular injection or SC Tooltip subcutaneous injection )
Testosterone
Andronaq, Sterotate, Virosterone
Aqueous suspension
10–50 mg 2–3×/week
Testosterone propionateb
Testoviron
Oil solution
10–50 mg 2–3×/week
Testosterone enanthate
Delatestryl
Oil solution
50–250 mg 1x/1–4 weeks
Xyosted
Auto-injector
50–100 mg 1×/week
Testosterone cypionate
Depo-Testosterone
Oil solution
50–250 mg 1x/1–4 weeks
Testosterone isobutyrate
Agovirin Depot
Aqueous suspension
50–100 mg 1x/1–2 weeks
Testosterone phenylacetate b
Perandren, Androject
Oil solution
50–200 mg 1×/3–5 weeks
Mixed testosterone esters
Sustanon 100, Sustanon 250
Oil solution
50–250 mg 1×/2–4 weeks
Testosterone undecanoate
Aveed, Nebido
Oil solution
750–1,000 mg 1×/10–14 weeks
Testosterone buciclate a
–
Aqueous suspension
600–1,000 mg 1×/12–20 weeks
Implant
Testosterone
Testopel
Pellet
150–1,200 mg/3–6 months
Notes: Men produce about 3 to 11 mg of testosterone per day (mean 7 mg/day in young men). Footnotes: a = Never marketed. b = No longer used and/or no longer marketed. Sources: See template.
Testosterone propionate is usually provided as an oil solution for use by intramuscular injection.[ 5] It was also previously available as an 30 mg or 50 mg aqueous suspension .[ 15] Buccal tablets of testosterone propionate were previously available as well.[ 5]
Side effects
Side effects of testosterone propionate include virilization among others.[ 5]
Testosterone propionate is often a painful injection, which is attributed to its short ester chain.[ 5]
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
Testosterone propionate is a prodrug of testosterone and is an androgen and anabolic–androgenic steroid (AAS). That is, it is an agonist of the androgen receptor (AR).
Pharmacokinetics
Testosterone propionate is administered in oil via intramuscular injection .[ 1] [ 2] It has a relatively short elimination half-life and mean residence time of 2 days and 4 days, respectively.[ 1] [ 2] As such, it has a short duration of action and must be administered two to three times per week.[ 16]
Intramuscular injection of testosterone propionate as an oil solution , aqueous suspension , and emulsion has been compared.[ 17]
Pharmacokinetics of testosterone esters
Testosterone ester
Form
Route
Tmax Tooltip Time to peak levels
t1/2 Tooltip Elimination half-life
MRT Tooltip Mean residence time
Testosterone undecanoate
Oil-filled capsules
Oral
?
1.6 hours
3.7 hours
Testosterone propionate
Oil solution
Intramuscular injection
?
0.8 days
1.5 days
Testosterone enanthate
Castor oil solution
Intramuscular injection
10 days
4.5 days
8.5 days
Testosterone undecanoate
Tea seed oil solution
Intramuscular injection
13.0 days
20.9 days
34.9 days
Testosterone undecanoate
Castor oil solution
Intramuscular injection
11.4 days
33.9 days
36.0 days
Testosterone buciclate a
Aqueous suspension
Intramuscular injection
25.8 days
29.5 days
60.0 days
Notes: Testosterone cypionate has similar pharmacokinetics to Testosterone enanthate . Footnotes: a = Never marketed. Sources: See template.
Parenteral durations of androgens/anabolic steroids
Medication
Form
Major brand names
Duration
Testosterone
Aqueous suspension
Andronaq, Sterotate, Virosterone
2–3 days
Testosterone propionate
Oil solution
Androteston, Perandren, Testoviron
3–4 days
Testosterone phenylpropionate
Oil solution
Testolent
8 days
Testosterone isobutyrate
Aqueous suspension
Agovirin Depot, Perandren M
14 days
Mixed testosterone esters a
Oil solution
Triolandren
10–20 days
Mixed testosterone esters b
Oil solution
Testosid Depot
14–20 days
Testosterone enanthate
Oil solution
Delatestryl
14–28 days
Testosterone cypionate
Oil solution
Depovirin
14–28 days
Mixed testosterone esters c
Oil solution
Sustanon 250
28 days
Testosterone undecanoate
Oil solution
Aveed, Nebido
100 days
Testosterone buciclate d
Aqueous suspension
20 Aet-1, CDB-1781e
90–120 days
Nandrolone phenylpropionate
Oil solution
Durabolin
10 days
Nandrolone decanoate
Oil solution
Deca Durabolin
21–28 days
Methandriol
Aqueous suspension
Notandron, Protandren
8 days
Methandriol bisenanthoyl acetate
Oil solution
Notandron Depot
16 days
Metenolone acetate
Oil solution
Primobolan
3 days
Metenolone enanthate
Oil solution
Primobolan Depot
14 days
Note: All are via i.m. injection . Footnotes: a = TP , TV , and TUe . b = TP and TKL . c = TP , TPP , TiCa , and TD . d = Studied but never marketed. e = Developmental code names. Sources: See template.
Chemistry
Testosterone propionate, or testosterone 17β-propanoate, is a synthetic androstane steroid and a derivative of testosterone .[ 18] [ 19] It is an androgen ester ; specifically, it is the C17β propionate (propanoate) ester of testosterone.[ 18] [ 19]
History
Testosterone esters were synthesized for the first time in 1936, and were found to have greatly improved potency relative to testosterone.[ 12] Among the esters synthesized, testosterone propionate was the most potent, and for this reason, was selected for further development, subsequently being marketed.[ 12] Testosterone propionate was introduced in 1937 by Schering AG in Germany under the brand name Testoviron.[ 5] It was the first commercially available form of testosterone, and the first testosterone ester, to be introduced.[ 4] [ 20] The medication was the major form of testosterone used medically before 1960.[ 5] Buccal testosterone propionate tablets were introduced for medical use in the mid-to-late 1940s under the brand name Oreton Buccal Tablets.[ 21] [ 22] [ 23] An aqueous suspension of testosterone propionate was marketed by Ciba by 1950.[ 24] In the 1950s, longer-acting testosterone esters like testosterone enanthate and testosterone cypionate were introduced and superseded testosterone propionate.[ 4] Although rarely used nowadays due to its short duration,[ 13] testosterone propionate remains medically available.[ 5]
Society and culture
Generic names
Testosterone propionate is the generic name of the drug and its USAN Tooltip United States Adopted Name and BAN Tooltip British Approved Name .[ 18] [ 19] [ 25] [ 26] It has also been referred to as testosterone propanoate or as propionyltestosterone .[ 18] [ 19] [ 25] [ 26]
Brand names
Testosterone propionate is or has been marketed under a variety of brand names, including, among numerous others:[ 18] [ 19] [ 25] [ 26]
Agrovirin
Andronate
Andrusol-P
Anertan[ 15]
Masenate
Neo-Hombreol
Oreton
Perandren
Synandrol
Testoviron
Availability
Testosterone propionate is no longer available commercially in the United States except via a compounding pharmacy.[ 27]
Legal status
Testosterone propionate, along with other AAS, is a schedule III controlled substance in the United States under the Controlled Substances Act and a schedule IV controlled substance in Canada under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act .[ 28] [ 29]
References
^ a b c d e Nieschlag E, Behre HM (13 January 2010). "Testosterone Therapy" . In Nieschlag E, Behre HM, Nieschlag S (eds.). Andrology: Male Reproductive Health and Dysfunction . Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 441– 446. ISBN 978-3-540-78355-8 .
^ a b c Behre HM, Abshagen K, Oettel M, Hübler D, Nieschlag E (May 1999). "Intramuscular injection of testosterone undecanoate for the treatment of male hypogonadism: phase I studies". European Journal of Endocrinology . 140 (5): 414– 419. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.503.1752 . doi :10.1530/eje.0.1400414 . PMID 10229906 . S2CID 22597244 .
^ Rastrelli G, Reisman Y, Ferri S, Prontera O, Sforza A, Maggi M, Corona G (2019). "Testosterone Replacement Therapy". Sexual Medicine . Springer. pp. 79– 93. doi :10.1007/978-981-13-1226-7_8 . ISBN 978-981-13-1225-0 . S2CID 240176927 .
^ a b c d e f g Behre HM, Nieschlag E (26 July 2012). "Testosterone preparations for clinical use in males" . In Nieschlag E, Behre HM, Nieschlag S (eds.). Testosterone: Action, Deficiency, Substitution . Cambridge University Press. pp. 9, 315–. ISBN 978-1-107-01290-5 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Llewellyn W (2011). Anabolics . Molecular Nutrition Llc. pp. 357– 361, 413, 426, 607, 677. ISBN 978-0-9828280-1-4 .
^ Bolour S, Braunstein G (2005). "Testosterone therapy in women: a review". International Journal of Impotence Research . 17 (5): 399– 408. doi :10.1038/sj.ijir.3901334 . PMID 15889125 . S2CID 6461717 .
^ a b Becker KL (2001). Principles and Practice of Endocrinology and Metabolism . Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 1185, 1187. ISBN 978-0-7817-1750-2 .
^ Payne AH, Hardy MP (28 October 2007). The Leydig Cell in Health and Disease . Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 423–. ISBN 978-1-59745-453-7 .
^ Geniole SN, Bird BM, McVittie JS, Purcell RB, Archer J, Carré JM (July 2020). "Is testosterone linked to human aggression? A meta-analytic examination of the relationship between baseline, dynamic, and manipulated testosterone on human aggression" (PDF) . Hormones and Behavior . 123 : 104644. doi :10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.104644 . PMID 31785281 . S2CID 208515589 .
^ Kicman AT (June 2008). "Pharmacology of anabolic steroids" . British Journal of Pharmacology . 154 (3): 502– 521. doi :10.1038/bjp.2008.165 . PMC 2439524 . PMID 18500378 .
^ Santoro N, Braunstein GD, Butts CL, Martin KA, McDermott M, Pinkerton JV (April 2016). "Compounded Bioidentical Hormones in Endocrinology Practice: An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement" . The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism . 101 (4): 1318– 1343. doi :10.1210/jc.2016-1271 . PMID 27032319 .
^ a b c Korenchevsky V, Dennison M, Eldridge M (March 1937). "The prolonged treatment of castrated and ovariectomized rats with testosterone propionate" . The Biochemical Journal . 31 (3): 475– 485. doi :10.1042/bj0310475 . PMC 1266958 . PMID 16746360 .
^ a b Chapple CR, Steers WD (10 May 2011). Practical Urology: Essential Principles and Practice: Essential Principles and Practice . Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 228–. ISBN 978-1-84882-034-0 .
^ "Testosterone propionate" . AdisInsight . Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
^ a b Kahr H (8 March 2013). Konservative Therapie der Frauenkrankheiten: Anzeigen, Grenzen und Methoden Einschliesslich der Rezeptur . Springer-Verlag. pp. 21–. ISBN 978-3-7091-5694-0 .
^ Lee C, Basaria S, Dobs AS (2009). "Hypogonadism and Hormone Replacement in Men with Cancers" . In Yeung SJ, Escalante CP, Gagel RF (eds.). Medical Care of Cancer Patients . PMPH-USA. pp. 247–. ISBN 978-1-60795-008-0 .
^ Hamburger C (1952). "17-Ketosteroid Excretion and Modes of Administering Testosterone Preparations". Ciba Foundation Symposium - Steroid Hormone Administration (Book II of Colloquia on Endocrinology, Vol. 3) . Novartis Foundation Symposia. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 304– 322. doi :10.1002/9780470715154.ch7 . ISBN 9780470715154 . ISSN 1935-4657 .
^ a b c d e Elks J (14 November 2014). The Dictionary of Drugs: Chemical Data: Chemical Data, Structures and Bibliographies . Springer. pp. 641– 642. ISBN 978-1-4757-2085-3 .
^ a b c d e Index Nominum 2000: International Drug Directory . Taylor & Francis. January 2000. pp. 1002– 1004. ISBN 978-3-88763-075-1 .
^ Escamilla RF (February 1960). "Newer hormonal preparations" . California Medicine . 92 (2): 121– 124. PMC 1578009 . PMID 13849734 .
^ The Mississippi Doctor . 1946. p. 7.
^ The Midwestern Druggist ... 1948. p. 28.
^ "New Prescription Products". Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association (Practical Pharmacy Ed.) . 10 (4): 198– 206. 1949. doi :10.1016/S0095-9561(16)31795-9 . ISSN 0095-9561 .
^ Østergaard E (1950). "Employment of androgens in gynecology". Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica . 30 (1): 106– 127. doi :10.3109/00016345009154942 . PMID 14777285 . S2CID 30737118 .
^ a b c Morton IK, Hall JM (6 December 2012). Concise Dictionary of Pharmacological Agents: Properties and Synonyms . Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 978-94-011-4439-1 .
^ a b c "Testosterone" . Drugs.com .
^ "Drugs@FDA: FDA Approved Drug Products" . United States Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved 16 November 2016 .
^ Bicerano J, Karch SB (21 December 2006). "Criminalistics: Introduction to Controlled Substances" . In Karch SB (ed.). Drug Abuse Handbook (Second ed.). CRC Press. pp. 30–. ISBN 978-1-4200-0346-8 .
^ Lilley LL, Snyder JS, Rainforth SC (5 August 2016). Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice . Elsevier Health Sciences. pp. 50–. ISBN 978-1-77172-066-3 .
Androgens (incl. AAS Tooltip anabolic–androgenic steroid )
Antiandrogens
AR Tooltip Androgen receptor antagonists Steroidogenesis inhibitors
Antigonadotropins
D2 receptor antagonists (prolactin releasers ) (e.g., domperidone , metoclopramide , risperidone , haloperidol , chlorpromazine , sulpiride )
Estrogens (e.g., bifluranol , diethylstilbestrol , estradiol , estradiol esters , ethinylestradiol , ethinylestradiol sulfonate , paroxypropione )
GnRH agonists (e.g., leuprorelin )
GnRH antagonists (e.g., cetrorelix )
Progestogens (incl., chlormadinone acetate , cyproterone acetate , hydroxyprogesterone caproate , gestonorone caproate , medroxyprogesterone acetate , megestrol acetate )
Others
AR Tooltip Androgen receptor
Agonists SARMs Tooltip Selective androgen receptor modulator Antagonists
GPRC6A
ER Tooltip Estrogen receptor
Agonists
Steroidal: 2-Hydroxyestradiol
2-Hydroxyestrone
3-Methyl-19-methyleneandrosta-3,5-dien-17β-ol
3α-Androstanediol
3α,5α-Dihydrolevonorgestrel
3β,5α-Dihydrolevonorgestrel
3α-Hydroxytibolone
3β-Hydroxytibolone
3β-Androstanediol
4-Androstenediol
4-Androstenedione
4-Fluoroestradiol
4-Hydroxyestradiol
4-Hydroxyestrone
4-Methoxyestradiol
4-Methoxyestrone
5-Androstenediol
7-Oxo-DHEA
7α-Hydroxy-DHEA
7α-Methylestradiol
7β-Hydroxyepiandrosterone
8,9-Dehydroestradiol
8,9-Dehydroestrone
8β-VE2
10β,17β-Dihydroxyestra-1,4-dien-3-one (DHED)
11β-Chloromethylestradiol
11β-Methoxyestradiol
15α-Hydroxyestradiol
16-Ketoestradiol
16-Ketoestrone
16α-Fluoroestradiol
16α-Hydroxy-DHEA
16α-Hydroxyestrone
16α-Iodoestradiol
16α-LE2
16β-Hydroxyestrone
16β,17α-Epiestriol (16β-hydroxy-17α-estradiol)
17α-Estradiol (alfatradiol )
17α-Dihydroequilenin
17α-Dihydroequilin
17α-Epiestriol (16α-hydroxy-17α-estradiol)
17α-Ethynyl-3α-androstanediol
17α-Ethynyl-3β-androstanediol
17β-Dihydroequilenin
17β-Dihydroequilin
17β-Methyl-17α-dihydroequilenin
Abiraterone
Abiraterone acetate
Alestramustine
Almestrone
Anabolic steroids (e.g., testosterone and esters , methyltestosterone , metandienone (methandrostenolone) , nandrolone and esters , many others; via estrogenic metabolites)
Atrimustine
Bolandiol
Bolandiol dipropionate
Butolame
Clomestrone
Cloxestradiol
Conjugated estriol
Conjugated estrogens
Cyclodiol
Cyclotriol
DHEA
DHEA-S
ent -Estradiol
Epiestriol (16β-epiestriol, 16β-hydroxy-17β-estradiol)
Epimestrol
Equilenin
Equilin
ERA-63 (ORG-37663)
Esterified estrogens
Estetrol
Estradiol
Estramustine
Estramustine phosphate
Estrapronicate
Estrazinol
Estriol
Estrofurate
Estrogenic substances
Estromustine
Estrone
Etamestrol (eptamestrol)
Ethinylandrostenediol
Ethinylestradiol
Ethinylestriol
Ethylestradiol
Etynodiol
Etynodiol diacetate
Hexolame
Hippulin
Hydroxyestrone diacetate
Lynestrenol
Lynestrenol phenylpropionate
Mestranol
Methylestradiol
Moxestrol
Mytatrienediol
Nilestriol
Norethisterone
Noretynodrel
Orestrate
Pentolame
Prodiame
Prolame
Promestriene
RU-16117
Quinestradol
Quinestrol
Tibolone
Xenoestrogens: Anise -related (e.g., anethole , anol , dianethole , dianol , photoanethole )
Chalconoids (e.g., isoliquiritigenin , phloretin , phlorizin (phloridzin) , wedelolactone )
Coumestans (e.g., coumestrol , psoralidin )
Flavonoids (incl. 7,8-DHF , 8-prenylnaringenin , apigenin , baicalein , baicalin , biochanin A , calycosin , catechin , daidzein , daidzin , ECG , EGCG , epicatechin , equol , formononetin , glabrene , glabridin , genistein , genistin , glycitein , kaempferol , liquiritigenin , mirificin , myricetin , naringenin , penduletin , pinocembrin , prunetin , puerarin , quercetin , tectoridin , tectorigenin )
Lavender oil
Lignans (e.g., enterodiol , enterolactone , nyasol (cis -hinokiresinol) )
Metalloestrogens (e.g., cadmium )
Pesticides (e.g., alternariol , dieldrin , endosulfan , fenarimol , HPTE , methiocarb , methoxychlor , triclocarban , triclosan )
Phytosteroids (e.g., digitoxin (digitalis ), diosgenin , guggulsterone )
Phytosterols (e.g., β-sitosterol , campesterol , stigmasterol )
Resorcylic acid lactones (e.g., zearalanone , α-zearalenol , β-zearalenol , zearalenone , zeranol (α-zearalanol) , taleranol (teranol, β-zearalanol) )
Steroid -like (e.g., deoxymiroestrol , miroestrol )
Stilbenoids (e.g., resveratrol , rhaponticin )
Synthetic xenoestrogens (e.g., alkylphenols , bisphenols (e.g., BPA , BPF , BPS ), DDT , parabens , PBBs , PHBA , phthalates , PCBs )
Others (e.g., agnuside , rotundifuran )
Mixed (SERMs Tooltip Selective estrogen receptor modulators ) Antagonists
Coregulator-binding modulators: ERX-11
GPER Tooltip G protein-coupled estrogen receptor
Agonists Antagonists Unknown