Minimal Priapism Risk with AndroGel 1% Use

Testosterone replacement with 1% testosterone gel (AndroGel 1%) is rarely associated with the development of priapism, according to a study.

Arthur L. Burnett, MD, of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and colleagues reviewed the safety and tolerability data for AndroGel 1%, including data from three randomized controlled trials in varying populations of hypogonadal or near hypogonadal men. Of  283 men exposed to AndroGel 1% over the three trials, none reported experiencing adverse events described as priapism or related symptoms, researchers reported online ahead of print in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. The investigators also reviewed postmarketing data representing 40 million units sold and found only eight reports of cases described as priapism.

The researchers concluded from their findings that AndroGel 1% use is associated with a minimal risk of inducing priapism.