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Testosterone Regulation and Autism Ranking: Mildly Hazardous Insufficient/Mixed evidence

Key Features

Testosterone is an androgen hormone which regulates the development of the male reproductive system and male secondary sex characteristics (such as facial hair). 

Testosterone regulation involves using drugs called gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists to reduce the amount of testosterone in the body. 

Brands

There are several different gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, each of which is marketed under a variety of brand names. For example, in the UK, leuprolide is marketed as Prostap. In the USA Leuprolide is marketed by Bayer AG under the brand name Viadur, by Sanofi-Aventis under the brand name Eligard, and by TAP Pharmaceuticals under the brand name Lupron.

Administration

There are several different gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, each of which may be administered in different ways. For example, according to MedlinePlus (2011), 

“Leuprolide injection comes as a long-acting suspension (Lupron) that is injected intramuscularly (into a muscle) by a doctor or nurse in a medical office or clinic and is usually given once a month (Lupron Depot, Lupron Depot-PED) or every 3, 4, or 6 months (Lupron Depot-3 month, Lupron Depot-PED-3 month, Lupron Depot-4 month, Lupron Depot-6 Month). Leuprolide injection also comes as a long-acting suspension (Eligard) that is injected subcutaneously (just under the skin) by a doctor or nurse in a medical office or clinic and is usually given every 1, 3, 4, or 6 months.”

Dosage

There are several different gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, each of which may be available in different doses.

For the latest information on specific formulations please see the British National Formulary (BNF). 

Updated
16 Jun 2022
Last Review
01 Sep 2017
Next Review
01 Jan 2024