What Is Testim? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Testim is a prescription testosterone gel used to treat hypogonadism — a condition in which the body doesn't produce enough of the male sex hormone testosterone. It's applied to the skin once daily and allows testosterone to be absorbed into the bloodstream gradually. Here's everything you need to know about Testim in 2026.

What Is Testim?

Testim is a brand-name topical gel containing 1% testosterone. It is manufactured by Endo Pharmaceuticals and classified as a Schedule III controlled substance because it contains testosterone, an anabolic androgenic steroid. Testim is FDA-approved only for adult males with a specific medical diagnosis of hypogonadism — it is not approved for use in women or children, and it is not approved for treating low testosterone caused by aging alone.

Testim comes in unit-dose tubes. Each tube contains 5 grams of gel with 50 milligrams of testosterone. A standard 30-day supply is 30 tubes.

What Is Testim Used For?

Testim is FDA-approved to treat testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in adult males with conditions associated with a deficiency or absence of endogenous testosterone, including:

Primary hypogonadism (testicular failure): Caused by undescended testes, orchitis, testicular torsion, or testicular cancer treatment (chemotherapy/radiation)

Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (secondary hypogonadism): Caused by conditions affecting the pituitary gland or hypothalamus (idiopathic, pituitary tumors, Kallmann syndrome, or other pituitary dysfunction)

Testosterone helps maintain:

Muscle mass and strength

Bone density

Libido and sexual function

Energy levels and mood

Red blood cell production

Male secondary sex characteristics (voice, body hair, genital development)

Testim Dosage: How Much Do You Use?

The recommended starting dose of Testim is one 5-gram tube (50 mg of testosterone) applied once daily. If your serum testosterone levels (measured 2-8 hours after morning application on day 14 or later) are below the normal range and side effects are minimal, your doctor may increase the dose to two 5-gram tubes (10 g, 100 mg of testosterone) per day.

Starting dose: 5 g (50 mg testosterone) once daily

Maximum dose: 10 g (100 mg testosterone) once daily

Dose timing: Apply preferably in the morning after showering

How to Apply Testim Correctly

Shower or bathe first, then allow your skin to dry completely

Squeeze the contents of the tube onto your palm

Apply to the shoulders and/or upper arms only — the area that would be covered by a T-shirt sleeve. Do NOT apply to the genitals, scrotum, abdomen, chest, or armpits.

Allow the gel to dry completely before dressing — usually 3-5 minutes

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after application

Cover the application site with clothing to prevent accidental transfer to others

Wait at least 2 hours before swimming, showering, or washing the application site

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When Will You Feel Results from Testim?

Physiologic testosterone concentrations are achieved within 24 hours of the first application. However, the full benefits of testosterone replacement therapy develop over weeks to months:

3-6 weeks: Improvements in libido, mood, and energy are often noticed first

3-6 months: Improvements in erectile function, muscle mass, and body composition

6-12 months+: Bone density changes take the longest to manifest

Key Warnings and Precautions

Secondary exposure risk: Testim can transfer to children and women through skin contact. See boxed warning.

Flammability: Testim is alcohol-based and flammable until dry. Avoid fire, flames, and smoking until the gel has fully dried.

Contraindicated in: Men with known or suspected prostate or breast cancer; pregnant women (who should not even touch the gel).

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The Bottom Line

Testim is an effective, well-established treatment for clinically diagnosed low testosterone in adult men. Using it correctly — right application site, right timing, and proper hygiene to prevent transfer — maximizes its effectiveness and safety. Once you have your prescription, use medfinder to find a pharmacy near you that carries it. For a deeper look at how Testim works in the body, see our article on Testim's mechanism of action.