a study of the effect of topical testosterone replacement therapy on blood pressure in adult male participants with hypogonadism

Conditions: Hypogonadism

Summary: hypogonadism is an endocrine disorder characterized by absent or deficient testosterone levels along with signs and symptoms of androgen deficiency, including delayed development or regression of sexual characteristics, impaired sexual function and sense of well-being, depressed mood, decreased muscle strength associated with loss of muscle mass and reduced bone mineral density. androgel 1.62% has demonstrated its ability to increase total testosterone levels in the blood by absorption of testosterone through the skin when applied topically. this study evaluated the effect of androgel 1.62% on systolic blood pressure using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in hypogonadal men who used testosterone replacement therapy. androgel 1.62% is a drug used for the treatment of hypogonadism, which is associated with low or no testosterone. this was an open-label study which means that both the study doctor and study participants knew what drug and what dose is being used. all participants in this study were in the same group, called a treatment arm. adult male participants with hypogonadism were enrolled and received androgel 1.62%. this was a multi-center study with 190 participants enrolled (initially planned) in approximately 45 sites in the united states to yield 171 subjects in the per protocol (pp) population. a blinded sample size re-estimation (bssr) was performed when around 70% of the planned subjects in the pp population had completed the end of treatment visit. sample size was increased at bssr and 246 participants were actually enrolled. participants received daily topical gel doses of androgel 1.62% for approximately 16 weeks. there may have been a higher burden for participants in this study compared to standard of care. participants attended 8 study visits during the course of the study at a hospital or clinic and received 2 study phone calls. the effect of the treatment was checked by medical assessments, blood tests (including pharmacokinetic sampling), and 24-hour blood pressure monitors.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * diagnosis of hypogonadism with the presence of at least one of the following symptoms that may be related to low testosterone values and is/are consistent with hypogonadism: * decreased sexual desire or libido * decreased spontaneous erections (e.g. morning erections) * decreased energy or fatigue/feeling tired * low mood or depressed mood * loss of body (axillary and pubic) hair or reduced shaving * hot flashes and * confirmed by 2 serum testosterone levels \< 300 ng/dl by blood samples drawn at least 48 hours apart. these samples should be obtained between 5 am and 11 am local time. * blood pressure \>100/60 mmhg and \<140/90 mmhg exclusion criteria: * unprovoked deep vein thrombosis (dvt), unprovoked pulmonary embolism (pe), or known thrombophilia * polycythemia vera or secondary polycythemia, such as polycythemia due to untreated sleep apnea or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease * prostate or breast cancer * any active malignancy * clinically significant medical conditions or any other reason that the investigator determines would interfere with participation in this study or would make the participant an unsuitable candidate to receive study drug * work night shifts or is otherwise required to perform strenuous manual labor while wearing the ambulatory blood pressure monitor (abpm).

Keywords: hypogonadism testosterone replacement therapy androgel