Your Patients Are Struggling to Find Testosterone — Here's How You Can Help

If your clinic is fielding calls from patients who can't fill their Testosterone prescriptions, you're not alone. The ongoing Testosterone Cypionate shortage has created real challenges for patients and providers alike.

As a prescriber, you're in a unique position to help. This guide covers practical steps you can take to minimize treatment disruptions, route prescriptions effectively, and support your patients through the shortage.

Current Availability: What's in Stock and What's Not

As of early 2026, the availability landscape:

• Most affected: Testosterone Cypionate injection — both Depo-Testosterone (Pfizer) and generics (Cipla, Hikma, Sun Pharma). Intermittent availability with limited weekly releases.
• Generally available: Generic Testosterone gel 1.62%, Androderm patches, oral Testosterone Undecanoate (Jatenzo, Tlando, Kyzatrex), Xyosted autoinjector, Natesto nasal gel.
• Compounded: Testosterone Cypionate available through PCAB-accredited compounding pharmacies.

Why Patients Can't Find Their Testosterone

Understanding the root causes helps you counsel patients effectively:

1. Chain pharmacy allocations are limited. Large chains receive rationed supply during shortages. A pharmacy may get only a fraction of what it needs each week.
2. Patients don't know where to look. Most patients only try their usual pharmacy and one or two alternatives before giving up.
3. Timing matters. Stock levels fluctuate daily. A pharmacy that was out Monday may have supply by Wednesday.
4. Formulation rigidity. Some patients (or their insurance plans) are locked into a specific formulation, limiting their options.
5. Cost barriers. When injectable Testosterone is unavailable, alternatives like gels and oral capsules are significantly more expensive, creating a financial barrier to switching.

What Providers Can Do: 5 Steps

Step 1: Check Availability Before Prescribing

Before sending a prescription, verify that the pharmacy has the product in stock. Medfinder for Providers lets you search real-time availability at pharmacies in your patient's area. This simple step can prevent failed fill attempts and reduce patient frustration.

Step 2: Prescribe Flexibly

When possible, write prescriptions that give the pharmacist some flexibility:

• Consider writing for Testosterone Cypionate generically rather than specifying a brand, allowing the pharmacy to fill with whatever manufacturer is available.
• If your state allows, discuss with the patient whether they're open to therapeutic substitution — for example, Testosterone Enanthate instead of Cypionate (pharmacokinetically similar).
• Have a backup formulation ready. If the patient agrees, send a secondary prescription for an alternative (e.g., generic Testosterone gel) in case the primary can't be filled.

Step 3: Build Relationships with Independent and Compounding Pharmacies

Independent pharmacies often have different supply chains than major chains. Compounding pharmacies can prepare Testosterone Cypionate when commercial products are unavailable.

Consider identifying 2–3 reliable independent or compounding pharmacies in your area and establishing a referral relationship. This gives your patients more options when chains are out of stock.

Step 4: Proactively Communicate with Patients

Set expectations at the prescribing visit:

• Let patients know that Testosterone is in shortage and they may need to check multiple pharmacies.
• Recommend tools like Medfinder for checking availability.
• Discuss backup formulations in advance so patients aren't caught off guard.
• Encourage early refills — patients should fill prescriptions a few days before they run out.

Step 5: Help Patients Access Financial Assistance

When patients must switch to more expensive formulations, cost becomes a barrier. Point patients toward:

• Discount cards: GoodRx and SingleCare can bring generic Testosterone Cypionate down to $14–$30 per vial, and generic gel to $41–$80/month.
• Manufacturer copay cards: Available for AndroGel, Aveed, Xyosted, and Jatenzo (commercially insured patients only).
• Patient assistance programs: AbbVie myAbbVie Assist, Pfizer RxPathways, NeedyMeds, and RxAssist for uninsured or underinsured patients.

For a comprehensive resource you can share with patients: How to Save Money on Testosterone.

Alternative Formulations to Consider

When injectable Testosterone is unavailable, these alternatives can keep patients on therapy:

• Generic Testosterone gel 1.62%: Most accessible alternative. $41–$80/month with coupon. Daily application to shoulders/upper arms.
• Xyosted (subcutaneous autoinjector): Weekly self-injection, 50–100 mg. Good option for patients who prefer injections but can't find Cypionate.
• Androderm (transdermal patch): Nightly application, $200–$500/month. Skin irritation is common.
• Jatenzo / Tlando / Kyzatrex (oral capsules): Twice daily with food. Note boxed warning on blood pressure/cardiovascular risk. $500–$900/month.
• Compounded Testosterone Cypionate: Custom-prepared by compounding pharmacy. Not FDA-approved but can maintain current dosing regimen.

For patients where fertility is a concern, consider Clomiphene Citrate (off-label) or hCG as alternatives that preserve spermatogenesis. See our clinical overview in the provider shortage briefing.

Workflow Tips for Your Practice

A few operational suggestions for managing the shortage:

• Designate a point person: Have one staff member responsible for checking availability and fielding patient calls about the shortage. This prevents duplicated effort.
• Create a patient handout: A simple one-page document explaining the shortage, listing alternative pharmacies, and linking to Medfinder and savings resources.
• Use e-prescribing strategically: Some e-prescribing systems allow you to see pharmacy inventory. Check before sending.
• Schedule follow-ups after switches: When switching formulations, bring patients back in 4–6 weeks to check levels and tolerability.
• Stay updated: Monitor ASHP's drug shortage database for Testosterone Cypionate status updates.

Final Thoughts

The Testosterone shortage demands a proactive approach from providers. By checking availability before prescribing, maintaining relationships with independent pharmacies, and having alternative formulations ready, you can significantly reduce treatment interruptions for your patients.

Medfinder for Providers is a free tool that can streamline this process. For the full clinical picture, see our companion article on what providers need to know about the Testosterone shortage in 2026.