Androderm Shortage: What Providers and Prescribers Need to Know in 2026

Provider Briefing: Androderm Permanent Discontinuation

Androderm (testosterone transdermal system) has been permanently discontinued by Allergan/AbbVie. This is not a temporary shortage with an expected resolution date — the product is no longer manufactured, and no generic or biosimilar alternative exists.

For providers managing patients on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), this briefing covers the timeline, prescribing implications, available alternatives, and practical tools to support patient transitions.

Timeline of the Androderm Discontinuation

• June 2022: Teva Pharmaceuticals cancels Androderm registration in Australia, removing the product from that market
• Early 2023: Allergan (AbbVie) ceases production of Androderm in the United States, citing quality concerns with the transdermal patch manufacturing process
• March 13, 2023: ASHP officially lists the testosterone transdermal system shortage, confirming that Allergan (AbbVie) was the sole supplier and has discontinued the product
• 2023–2026: No other manufacturer announces plans to produce a testosterone transdermal patch for the U.S. market. The discontinuation remains permanent.

The FDA's Orange Book continues to list Androderm (NDA 020489) but with no currently marketed formulations.

Prescribing Implications

The loss of Androderm eliminates the only FDA-approved testosterone transdermal patch from the U.S. formulary. Key considerations for prescribers include:

Loss of a Unique Delivery Mechanism

Androderm provided a distinct clinical niche: steady-state testosterone delivery with minimal secondary exposure risk (since the medication was covered by the patch adhesive). This profile was particularly valued for:

• Patients with household members at risk of secondary testosterone exposure (children, women, pregnant partners)
• Patients who preferred non-injectable, non-oral administration
• Patients who achieved stable testosterone levels on the patch without the peaks and valleys of injection therapy

No Direct Therapeutic Equivalent

There is no FDA-approved generic testosterone patch and no other brand-name patch on the market. Providers must transition patients to a different formulation class entirely.

Prior Authorization Considerations

Many insurance plans had specific prior authorization criteria for Androderm. When transitioning patients to alternative formulations, be aware that:

• New prior authorization may be required for the replacement product
• Step therapy protocols may require trying generic testosterone cypionate or generic gel before brand-name alternatives
• Documentation of the Androderm discontinuation may expedite authorization for costlier alternatives like Jatenzo or Natesto

Current Availability Picture

As of 2026, the following testosterone replacement formulations remain available:

Injectable Formulations

• Testosterone Cypionate (Depo-Testosterone, generic): IM injection every 1–2 weeks. Most widely available and affordable option. Generic cost: $30–$100/month.
• Testosterone Enanthate (Delatestryl, generic): IM injection every 1–2 weeks. Similar profile to cypionate.
• Xyosted (testosterone enanthate autoinjector): Pre-filled subcutaneous autoinjector for weekly self-administration. Brand-only.
• Aveed (testosterone undecanoate injection): Long-acting IM injection administered every 10 weeks after initial loading doses. Must be given in a clinical setting with 30-minute post-injection observation due to REMS requirements.

Topical Formulations

• Testosterone gel 1% and 1.62% (AndroGel, Testim, Vogelxo, generic): Daily application. Generic widely available. Secondary exposure risk requires counseling.
• Testosterone solution (Axiron): Applied to axillae daily via metered-dose applicator.

Oral Formulations

• Jatenzo (testosterone undecanoate capsules): Twice daily with food. Lymphatic absorption. Brand-only, approximately $500–$900/month. Carries a boxed warning related to blood pressure increases.
• Tlando (testosterone undecanoate capsules): Similar mechanism to Jatenzo. Brand-only.
• Kyzatrex (testosterone undecanoate capsules): Another oral option. Brand-only.

Other Formulations

• Natesto (testosterone nasal gel): Intranasal application three times daily. Lower secondary exposure risk. May have less impact on endogenous spermatogenesis. Brand-only.
• Testopel (testosterone pellets): Subcutaneous implantation every 3–6 months. Requires in-office procedure.

Cost and Access Considerations

When transitioning patients, cost sensitivity is critical — particularly for uninsured or underinsured patients:

• Most affordable: Generic testosterone cypionate injection ($30–$100/month)
• Moderate cost: Generic testosterone gel ($50–$200/month)
• Higher cost: Brand-name gels like AndroGel ($200–$500/month), Jatenzo ($500–$900/month)

Patients without insurance or with high-deductible plans should be directed toward discount card programs (GoodRx, SingleCare, RxSaver) and manufacturer copay programs where applicable. For detailed savings strategies, see our provider savings guide for helping patients save money on testosterone therapy.

Tools and Resources for Providers

• Medfinder for Providers: Help patients locate testosterone products in stock at pharmacies near them. Useful when patients report difficulty filling prescriptions for controlled substances.
• ASHP Drug Shortage Resource Center: Monitor ongoing shortages that may affect other testosterone formulations
• FDA Orange Book: Verify current approval status and therapeutic equivalence ratings for generic products
• Patient education materials: Direct patients to our alternatives guide and patient shortage update

Looking Ahead

The testosterone transdermal patch market remains vacant. While the FDA continues to accept ANDAs (Abbreviated New Drug Applications) for generic products, no applications for a generic testosterone patch are currently known to be under review.

The broader TRT market is moving toward more convenient delivery systems — oral formulations, autoinjectors, and long-acting injectables — which may explain the lack of commercial interest in reviving the patch form factor.

Providers should assume the discontinuation is permanent and update their treatment algorithms accordingly. For patients who specifically valued the patch delivery method, generic testosterone gel with thorough secondary exposure counseling is the closest available analog.

Final Thoughts

The Androderm discontinuation highlights the vulnerability of single-source medications. For clinicians managing TRT patients, the priority now is ensuring smooth transitions to alternative formulations with appropriate dose monitoring and follow-up.

If you need help supporting patients through this change, Medfinder for Providers offers tools to check pharmacy stock and streamline the process of finding available testosterone products.

For additional clinical context, see our provider guide on helping patients find testosterone therapy.