Missed Testosterone Dose? What to Do for Shots, Gel, and More

For a missed testosterone dose, don't double up or take extra to catch up. MedlinePlus's general gel advice is to apply it when remembered, or skip it if the next dose is close. The injection labels we checked give no catch-up timetable for a known missed dose; ask your prescriber or pharmacist.

Who this guide is for: U.S. adults who already have a testosterone prescription. That includes people using testosterone for gender-affirming care. Your own prescribing team's plan always comes first. This page doesn't cover starting treatment, choosing a dose, or injection technique.

Find your situation first:

Call 911 for chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden weakness or numbness on one side, slurred speech, collapse, a seizure, or if someone can't be woken up. Do not assume those symptoms are from a missed dose. Get help right away. ^{27 28 29}

Fill in my message to my care team ↓

By TRT Provider Guide Editorial Team · Last verified October 2026 · Sources checked October 29, 2026 Evidence-cited editorial research. No clinician review is claimed. Educational information, not medical advice.

Last updated: October 29, 2026. Last verified: October 29, 2026.

That leaves a frustrating gap. Below, we show you exactly what each product's official instructions say and don't say. Then we give you a ready-to-send message that gives your care team the facts they need.

TRT Provider Guide is the independent decision resource for testosterone replacement therapy — helping U.S. adults understand how low testosterone is evaluated, compare online and local care models and providers, and choose the next step that fits their health needs, fertility plans, budget, state, and care preferences, with every material claim verified and dated.

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What should you check first after a missed testosterone dose?

Start with two things: the medicine package and your written treatment plan. Write down what actually happened, when you last took it, and when the missed dose was due. If you're not sure about something, say so instead of guessing.

These details help your care team decide what comes next. "I'm on testosterone" isn't enough. A weekly autoinjector, a vial you draw from, and a daily gel all come with different instructions.

Grab these facts:

• The exact product name and strength printed on the box or pharmacy label. For example, "Xyosted 75 mg/0.5 mL," "testosterone cypionate 200 mg/mL," or "AndroGel 1.62%."
• What actually happened: fully missed, taken late, maybe only partly delivered, or maybe taken twice.
• Your last confirmed dose: the date and roughly the time.
• When the missed dose was due, and when your next one is scheduled.
• Your next blood test date, if you have one.
• Why it happened: you forgot, the refill was late, you ran out of supplies, you were traveling, or something else.

If the label just says "testosterone": ask the pharmacy that filled it which product and manufacturer it is. Don't try to figure it out from the oil color, the bottle, or a photo online.

If you can't remember whether you took it: treat it as "not sure," not as "missed." Those two situations get different answers. More on that below.

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Why can't anyone give you one rule for every missed dose?

Because the official instructions for many testosterone products don't include one. We read the FDA labels for the eight products in the source table in October 2026; the injection labels give no timetable for a known missed dose. General patient drug information for topical testosterone gives a "skip it if your next dose is close" rule. ¹¹

Here's the honest part. This guide won't tell you whether to take your shot today. If you want a single number, like "skip it if you're more than 3 days late," some websites will give you one. We looked. Those numbers aren't in the FDA labels we checked.

Because we skip the guesswork, we can give you something more useful: what your product's official instructions actually say, and a short message that gives your prescriber the details needed to answer. Your prescriber knows your schedule, your dose, and your history. A webpage doesn't.

The right TRT provider is not the same for every person — it depends on whether low testosterone has been properly evaluated, your symptoms and health history, your fertility plans, your state, your insurance or cash-pay preference, your treatment-format preference, your budget, and whether online or in-person care is the better starting point. Some situations belong with primary care, urology, endocrinology, reproductive urology, or urgent or emergency care when the symptoms warrant it. Because a general answer cannot resolve those for you, use TRT Provider Guide's Find My TRT Path tool to map your situation to the right care route and the questions to ask before you pay.

That handoff is for a bigger question, like whether your care setup is working. It can't tell you when to take a missed dose. For today's dose, keep reading.

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What should you do after a missed TRT injection?

Check the instructions for your exact product and the plan your prescriber gave you. If neither covers a missed dose, contact your pharmacist or prescribing team before you catch up or move your next injection. Don't double the next shot.

Testosterone cypionate or enanthate in a vial

The FDA label for Depo-Testosterone (testosterone cypionate) lists a dosing range given every two to four weeks. It says nothing about what to do if a dose is late. The testosterone enanthate vial label we reviewed doesn't either. ^{2 3}

So how late is "too late"? The labels we reviewed do not give a missed-dose cutoff. The label says testosterone cypionate injected into a muscle has a half-life of about eight days. Half-life describes how long it takes a drug's concentration or activity to fall by half. ^{2 20} But a half-life is not a catch-up formula. Clinics put patients on very different schedules, from small frequent shots to every two weeks. "Two days late" means something different on each one. ¹³

That's exactly why the decision belongs to your prescriber. Tell them:

• Your product and strength
• Your usual schedule, exactly as prescribed
• The date of your last injection and the date you were due
• Whether you've injected since
• Your next blood test date

What not to do: don't double the next shot. Don't inject a bigger amount to "make up" for it. Don't move your whole schedule on your own. Our TRT dosage guide explains mg and mL; any catch-up plan must come from your care team.

If your vial is compounded

The vial labels cited here are for the named manufactured products. Compounded testosterone is not FDA-approved; ask the dispensing pharmacy and prescriber for instructions for that exact preparation. ¹⁴

Xyosted: missed dose vs. "I'm not sure it went in"

These are two different problems.

• A known missed Xyosted dose: the label says to inject once a week, and never daily. It doesn't give a catch-up rule, so ask your pharmacist or prescriber about the missed dose and your next one. ¹
• You're not sure it injected, or the injection was hard to give: Xyosted's Instructions for Use are clear. Don't inject another dose. Call your pharmacist or healthcare provider right away. ¹

One useful detail: Xyosted's Medication Guide says the manufacturer will provide a one-time replacement if the product is damaged or unusable because of unforeseen circumstances. If your autoinjector failed, mention this when you call. The manufacturer's line is 1-844-996-7833. ¹⁹

Aveed or other clinic-given injections

Aveed (testosterone undecanoate) is only given in a healthcare setting certified through the AVEED safety program, called REMS. The label requires staff to watch you for 30 minutes afterward because of the risk of serious breathing problems or allergic reactions. The schedule is a shot to start, another at 4 weeks, then one every 10 weeks. ⁴

So a missed Aveed shot is a missed appointment. Call the clinic, reschedule, and ask whether your timing or next blood test needs to change. There's no home substitute.

Testosterone pellets also require a clinician appointment. They're placed by a clinician, so the treating team sets the timing for the next ones. ²¹

Ready to ask? Get the exact questions to send about this injection ↓

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What should you do after a missed testosterone gel dose?

Match the gel name and strength on your package to its instructions. MedlinePlus, the National Library of Medicine's drug information site, says to apply a missed dose of topical testosterone as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one and don't apply a double dose. ¹¹

That's the general rule. Here's what it doesn't tell you:

• It doesn't define "almost time." You'll see "12 hours" quoted online. That number isn't in the current U.S. product labels we reviewed. If you're unsure where the line is for your gel, ask the pharmacist who filled it.
• It isn't a rule for injections. Don't borrow gel advice for a shot.

Why the exact gel matters

AndroGel 1% and AndroGel 1.62% are different products with different instructions, even though they share a brand name. Testim and Vogelxo have their own labels too. None of the current labels we checked gives its own missed-dose timetable. All of them say to use the product exactly as prescribed. Some older brands, like Axiron and Fortesta, are listed by MedlinePlus as no longer on the market. ¹¹ If your package doesn't match a product here, ask your pharmacist which patient leaflet applies.

Washed it off early, or not sure it was applied right?

That's not the same as a confirmed missed dose. Tell your pharmacist or prescriber what happened. Don't apply a second round on your own, and don't borrow another gel's washing rules.

Compounded creams and gels

A compounded testosterone cream is made by a pharmacy for you. Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved, so there is no FDA-approved product label for your preparation. Ask your prescriber and dispensing pharmacy for missed-dose instructions for that exact preparation, and don't assume branded-gel rules apply. ¹⁴

Check your product: Find your gel in the source table below ↓

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What about oral capsules, nasal gel, or patches?

The same three rules apply: use your product's instructions, don't double up, and ask your pharmacist when it's unclear. MedlinePlus patient information for oral testosterone and nasal gel generally says to use a missed dose when you remember, unless it's almost time for the next one. ^{24 25}

• Oral testosterone capsules (Jatenzo, Tlando, Kyzatrex): these must be taken with food, on the schedule your prescriber gave you. They are not interchangeable. The Kyzatrex and Tlando labels say so directly. Never use another brand's capsules or rules. ^{9 10 22}
• Natesto (nasal gel): it's used several times a day. Ask your pharmacist what "almost time for the next dose" means for your schedule. ^{23 25}
• Androderm (patch): Drugs@FDA lists Androderm as discontinued. If you have a question about a testosterone patch that was missed or fell off, confirm the exact product with your pharmacist and check its patient leaflet. Don't put on extra patches to make up for it. ²⁶

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What do the official instructions say for your exact product?

We checked the U.S. product labeling and patient drug information linked below on October 29, 2026. The source check separates what each document actually says from our suggested next step. Use it to find your product, then confirm with your pharmacist.

The Missed-Dose Source Check

FDA-approved product labels

General patient information and compounded preparations

How to read these tables: "No catch-up rule" means the document we reviewed doesn't give one. It doesn't mean being late is dangerous. It also doesn't mean your prescriber can't give you a plan. It means the answer has to come from them. The "Our suggested next step" column is our editorial guidance, not the manufacturer's.

Worth knowing: the MedlinePlus page for testosterone injections has no missed-dose section at all. The topical page does. That gap does not make gel advice a rule for shots. ^{11 12}

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What should you tell your pharmacist or prescriber?

Give them the exact medicine, the last dose you're sure of, when the missed dose was due, and what happened. Then ask about three things: this dose, your next dose, and your next blood test. The message below puts all of that in one place.

A vague first message, like "I missed my shot, what do I do?", can leave the clinic needing more details. They may have to write back asking which product, which dose, and when. Send the whole picture up front.

Copy and fill in this message. Send it through your clinic's portal, or read it to the pharmacist.

I'm prescribed [exact product name and strength from the package]. My written directions are [copy them exactly]. My last confirmed dose was [date and time], and the dose or appointment I missed was due [date and time]. My next scheduled dose is [date, or "not sure"]. What happened: [missed / late / not sure it was delivered / refill or supplies delayed / missed clinic appointment]. My next testosterone blood test is [date, or "none scheduled"].

Please tell me what to do about this dose, my next scheduled dose, and my blood test. Could you send the instructions in writing so I can follow them exactly?

Select and copy the message above, or use your browser's Print command to keep a paper copy.

If you have new symptoms, add them when you talk to them. If you may have already taken extra, don't wait for a portal reply. Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.

Ask for a plan for next time

While you have them, ask: "If this happens again, what should I do?" Write the answer down and keep it with your medicine. Next time, you'll have your own clinician's rule instead of searching for one at 11 p.m.

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What if you're not sure the dose went in, or you already took extra?

An uncertain injection and a possible extra dose need a different response than a dose you know you missed. Don't guess how much went in, and don't give yourself a replacement amount. Follow your product's instructions, and contact the right professional.

Not sure it was delivered

For Xyosted, the instructions say don't inject another dose and call your pharmacist or provider right away. For a vial injection that leaked or felt wrong, there's no rule that tells you how much actually went in, so don't redo it on your own. Describe what happened to your prescriber. If injections keep going wrong, our injection-route guide covers questions to ask about training and your prescribed route.

You may have taken extra

Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222. Have the medicine container with you, and tell them what you took and when. Don't try to "cancel it out" by skipping or shifting future doses on your own. Call 911 if someone collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be woken up. ^{18 29}

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Will a late dose change how you feel?

It might, or it might not. MedlinePlus notes that if you stop using topical testosterone, your symptoms may return. But the sources we reviewed do not establish when you'll notice anything after one missed dose, or whether you will at all. ¹¹

How you feel isn't a reason to change your dose on your own.

Report lower energy, mood changes, or less interest in sex to your prescriber rather than assuming a late dose caused them. We won't give you a "you'll crash on day X" timeline. The sources we reviewed don't establish one.

About "withdrawal": you may read scary warnings about testosterone withdrawal. In the sources cited here, those withdrawal warnings describe people using higher-than-recommended doses and then stopping suddenly or substantially reducing them. The Xyosted label states that drug dependence has not been documented in people using approved doses for approved reasons. A missed prescribed dose is a different situation. ^{1 12}

When symptoms need urgent help: call 911 for possible heart attack or stroke symptoms, including:

• Chest pain or pressure, or new unexplained pain in your arm, back, neck, or jaw
• Sudden shortness of breath
• Sudden slow or difficult speech
• Sudden weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, especially on one side

Don't wait for these symptoms to become severe. For pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one lower leg, seek prompt medical assessment; if chest pain or trouble breathing occurs too, call 911. ^{2 27 28}

If your mood drops hard or you're having thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call 911 if there is immediate danger. Testosterone labels list depression and mood changes as possible effects worth reporting. ^{1 30}

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Will a missed dose throw off your blood test?

It can. Testosterone blood tests are timed to your dosing schedule, so a late dose can make the result look different from your normal routine. Tell the clinician who ordered the test exactly when you last took your medicine, and ask whether to keep or move the appointment.

This is a follow-up question to ask before your blood test. It matters, because your clinician uses the result alongside symptoms, safety checks, and dose timing. ¹³

Why timing matters, by product:

These examples come from U.S. product labels and a guideline for men with hypogonadism, meaning low testosterone caused by a medical condition. They are monitoring instructions, not catch-up schedules.

Your clinician may use a different schedule. Follow theirs.

Look at the Xyosted row. If your shot was three days late, a blood test drawn on your usual day is no longer "7 days after the most recent dose." The number may not represent your usual pre-dose level. That could lead to the wrong dose change if the timing is ignored. ¹

What to do:

1. Tell the ordering clinician your real dates. MedlinePlus also says to tell your doctor and the lab staff that you use testosterone before any lab test. ^{11 12}
2. Ask whether to keep the appointment or reschedule it.
3. Don't cancel, move the test, or change your dose on your own to get a "better" number.

For more, see how to prepare for a testosterone blood test and how often you should get bloodwork on TRT.

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What if you've missed several doses or stopped for a while?

If your written plan does not cover the gap, call your prescriber before you restart and tell them how long you've been off and why. They may want new labs or a different restart plan. Don't restart at a higher "catch-up" amount, and don't borrow medicine or switch products on your own.

A longer gap needs a plan from your prescriber. Testosterone treatment can lower your body's own signal to make testosterone (luteinizing hormone, or LH). That's in the FDA labels. ² So stopping isn't a clean "reset," and restarting isn't automatic either.

About fertility: a gap in treatment is not a fertility plan. The Xyosted label notes that reduced fertility is seen in some men on testosterone and that the effect may be irreversible. ¹ If you're trying to have children, talk to a urologist or reproductive specialist. Our TRT and fertility guide covers what to ask.

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What if your refill is late or your clinic won't answer?

If a refill delay causes missed doses, split the problem in two: the pharmacy handles the supply problem, and your prescriber handles any change to your treatment. Testosterone is a Schedule III controlled substance, so refills have legal limits. Planning ahead can help prevent another gap. ^{15 17}

Why refills run out faster than you'd expect

Under federal rules, a Schedule III prescription can be refilled no more than five times, and it can't be filled or refilled more than six months after it was written. Those are maximum limits; your prescription may authorize fewer refills. Beyond those limits, your prescriber has to write a new prescription. Ask your pharmacist whether the delay is due to the prescription's age, authorized refills, supply, or another issue. ¹⁵

Simple fix: ask your pharmacist how many refills remain and when the prescription expires. Ask your clinic how early to request a renewal. Don't wait until you're out.

Online prescriber?

Federal rules currently let DEA-registered clinicians prescribe controlled medicines through an audio-video visit without a prior in-person evaluation when the required conditions are met. The extension runs through December 31, 2026. Each prescription must serve a legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of professional practice and comply with federal and state law, including the clinician's licensing and prescribing authority. ^{16 31} If your care is fully online, ask your clinic how renewals will work if the rules change.

The clinic is closed or not replying

Use their after-hours line if they have one. Ask the dispensing pharmacist about your product's instructions in the meantime. For the emergency symptoms listed above, call 911; for other urgent symptoms, seek prompt medical care. Don't wait on a portal message. Just know that the emergency room isn't set up for routine prescription renewals.

If this keeps happening

One late refill is a hiccup. If late shipments or unanswered messages keep causing missed doses, that's a care-setup problem, and it's fixable. Here's where to start when you're ready:

• How to Switch TRT Providers walks through records, labs, and timing so you don't create a new gap while you move. Ask any new provider what intake, records, and testing it requires before you rely on a transfer date.
• TRT Providers With Home Delivery compares how refills and shipping actually work across programs.
• Already looking at specific programs? Our Male Excel cost guide, Hone Health review, and Taurus Meds cost guide cover their published costs, terms, and the limits of what we verified, with dates.

A one-off travel miss does not by itself show you need a new provider. Discuss a dose adjustment or transfer plan with the clinicians involved so you do not create another gap.

Not sure whether to stay, switch, or change treatment format? Map the care route that fits your situation with Find My TRT Path.

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How can you make the next missed dose less likely?

Once your care team has confirmed the plan, log each dose when you actually take it. Use reminders that match your real schedule, and keep refill reminders separate from dose reminders. That way, an empty box doesn't catch you off guard.

Four habits that actually help:

1. Keep your clinician's missed-dose answer with your medicine. Write it on the box or save it in your phone notes.
2. Mark the dose as done, not just the reminder as dismissed. Swiping away an alarm isn't the same as taking the dose.
3. Check supplies before trips and holidays. Count doses, needles, and pumps a week ahead.
4. Set a renewal reminder using the refills remaining and prescription expiration date, and ask your clinic how much notice it needs.

If your routine keeps failing, a different treatment format might fit your life better. That's a conversation for your prescriber. Our TRT treatment options guide and daily vs. weekly testosterone injections explain the tradeoffs.

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How did we check this guide?

On October 29, 2026, we reviewed the product labels linked below, MedlinePlus patient drug information, the Endocrine Society guideline, FDA compounding information, federal refill and telemedicine rules, and U.S. emergency-care guidance. We kept what each source says separate from our own suggestions.

What we actually verified

TRT Provider Guide is not a clinic, pharmacy, laboratory, or medical practice. We don't sell testosterone. Our provider pages follow our documented method, How We Review TRT Providers. This page is a medication-instruction source check, not a provider review. Spot an error? See our editorial standards and correction guidance.

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What else do people ask about a missed testosterone dose?

These are the questions people still have after the main guide. Each answer helps you know what to ask. None of them replaces the instructions for your own prescription.

Can I take my testosterone shot a day late?

There's no official one-day allowance in the injection labels we checked. Whether a late shot is fine depends on your product and schedule. Ask your pharmacist or prescriber, and don't double the next one.

Should I double my next testosterone dose?

No. Patient drug information says not to take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you already did, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.

Should I change my injection day after a missed shot?

Ask before you do. Your prescriber can tell you whether to take the missed dose now, shift your schedule, or keep your usual day. This page can't calculate that for you.

Is missing a gel dose the same as missing an injection?

No. Gels and injections have product-specific instructions and prescribed schedules. Never apply one format's rule to the other.

What if I washed my gel off too soon?

Tell your pharmacist or prescriber what happened. Don't reapply on your own or use another gel's washing rules.

What if I use a compounded testosterone cream?

Compounded products aren't FDA-approved. Ask the pharmacy that made yours and your prescriber for missed-dose instructions for that exact preparation. ¹⁴

Should I cancel my blood test after a missed dose?

Don't cancel it on your own. Tell the clinician who ordered it your real dose dates, and ask whether to keep or move it. A late dose can change the result.

My Xyosted autoinjector didn't seem to work. What now?

Don't inject another dose. Call your pharmacist or provider right away. The Xyosted Medication Guide says the manufacturer provides a one-time replacement for product damaged or unusable due to unforeseen circumstances. Their number is 1-844-996-7833. ¹⁹

I use testosterone for gender-affirming care. Does this apply to me?

Use the instructions for your exact product and the plan from the team that prescribes it. Bring your missed-dose question to them. This guide doesn't apply any diagnosis or eligibility rules to you.

Why can't my online clinic just refill it right away?

Testosterone is a Schedule III controlled substance. Prescriptions have refill limits, and every new prescription needs a licensed prescriber's decision. Ask for renewals early to reduce the chance of a gap.

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What should you remember about a missed testosterone dose?

Don't double up; check the exact product on your package. Send your care team the facts and ask about this dose, your next dose, and your blood test. Then get their missed-dose plan in writing so you have it for next time.

Still not sure which TRT care route fits you? Use our free Find My TRT Path tool. It's educational. It can't diagnose anything, decide a missed-dose schedule, determine whether you qualify for a prescription, or replace your clinician.

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Educational information, not medical advice. Questions about your own dose or schedule need to go to your pharmacist or prescriber. In an emergency, call 911.

Sources

1. Xyosted (testosterone enanthate) prescribing information, Medication Guide, and Instructions for Use — DailyMed. Revised July 2025.

2. Depo-Testosterone (testosterone cypionate) labeling — DailyMed. Revised September 2025.

3. Testosterone enanthate injection (Hikma) labeling — DailyMed. Revised June 2025.

4. Aveed (testosterone undecanoate) labeling — DailyMed. Revised July 2025.

5. AndroGel 1% labeling — DailyMed.

6. AndroGel 1.62% labeling — DailyMed.

7. Testim labeling — DailyMed.

8. Vogelxo labeling — FDA. Revised July 2025.

9. Kyzatrex prescribing information — DailyMed. Revised August 2026; sections 2.1–2.3.

10. Tlando prescribing information — DailyMed. Revised February 2026; sections 2.1–2.3.

11. Testosterone Topical — MedlinePlus. Revised May 15, 2025.

12. Testosterone Injection — MedlinePlus. Revised May 15, 2025.

13. Endocrine Society: Testosterone Therapy in Men With Hypogonadism guideline (2018).

14. FDA: Compounding and the FDA — Questions and Answers.

15. 21 CFR 1306.22 — Refilling of prescriptions (eCFR).

16. DEA: Telemedicine flexibilities extended through December 31, 2026.

17. DEA: Drug Scheduling.

18. HRSA: Calling Poison Help.

19. Xyosted Medication Guide — manufacturer. Issued July 2025; written replacement statement and contact number.

20. NIH ClinicalInfo: Half-Life.

21. Testopel testosterone pellets labeling — DailyMed. Revised July 2025.

22. Jatenzo prescribing information — DailyMed. Revised September 2025; section 2.2.

23. Natesto prescribing information and patient information — DailyMed. Prescribing information revised July 2025.

24. Testosterone oral capsules — MedlinePlus. Revised May 15, 2025.

25. Testosterone Nasal Gel — MedlinePlus. Revised May 15, 2025.

26. Androderm marketing status, NDA 020489 — Drugs@FDA.

27. NHLBI: Heart Attack Symptoms.

28. NINDS: Stroke Signs and Symptoms.

29. National Capital Poison Center: Poison Control Help and FAQ.

30. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Contact Us.

31. 21 CFR 1307.41 — Temporary telemedicine extension (eCFR).