Last reviewed 2026-04-20 · How we verify

Testred (METHYLTESTOSTERONE)

Testred (METHYLTESTOSTERONE) is a small molecule androgen medication developed by VALEANT PHARM INTL, targeting the androgen receptor. It was FDA-approved in 1973 for various indications, including male hypogonadism and hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. As an off-patent medication, Testred is available from multiple generic manufacturers. Key safety considerations include potential cardiovascular and prostate-related side effects. Testred is a synthetic form of testosterone, a hormone essential for male development and reproductive health.

At a glance

Approved indications

• Bilateral Anorchia
• Deficiency of testosterone biosynthesis
• Delayed puberty
• Hormone receptor positive malignant neoplasm of breast
• Inhibition of lactation procedure
• LHRH Deficiency
• Male hypogonadism
• Menopausal flushing
• Primary Hypogonadism due to Bilateral Torsion
• Primary Hypogonadism due to Orchitis

Boxed warnings

• WARNINGS 1. ESTROGENS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO INCREASE THE RISK OF ENDOMETRIAL CARCINOMA Three independent case control studies have reported an increased risk of endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women exposed to exogenous estrogens for prolonged periods. 1-3 This risk was independent of the other known risk factors for endometrial cancer. These studies are further supported by the finding that incidence rates of endometrial cancer have increased sharply since 1969 in eight different areas of the United States with population-based cancer reporting systems, an increase which may be related to the rapidly expanding use of estrogens during the last decade. 4 The three case control studies reported that the risk of endometrial cancer in estrogen users was about 4.5 to 13.9 times greater than in nonusers. The risk appears to depend on both duration of treatment 1 and on estrogen dose. 3 In view of these findings, when estrogens are used for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, the lowest dose that will control symptoms should be utilized and medication should be discontinued as soon as possible. When prolonged treatment is medically indicated, the patient should be reassessed on at least a semiannual basis to determine the need for continued therapy. Although the evidence must be considered preliminary, one study suggests that cyclic administration of low doses of estrogen may carry less risk than continuous administration, 3 it therefore appears prudent to utilize such a regimen. Close clinical surveillance of all women taking estrogens is important. In all cases of undiagnosed persistent or recurring abnormal vaginal bleeding, adequate diagnostic measures should be undertaken to rule out malignancy. There is no evidence at present that "natural" estrogens are more or less hazardous than "synthetic" estrogens at equiestrogenic doses. 2. ESTROGENS SHOULD NOT BE USED DURING PREGNANCY The use of female sex hormones, both estrogens and progestogens, during early pregnancy may seriously damage the offspring. It has been shown that females exposed in utero to diethylstilbestrol, a non-steroidal estrogen, have an increased risk of developing in later life a form of vaginal or cervical cancer that is ordinarily extremely rare. 5,6 This risk has been estimated as not greater than 4 per 1000 exposures. 7 Furthermore, a high percentage of such exposed women (from 30 to 90 percent) have been found to have vaginal adenosis, 8-12 epithelial changes of the vagina and cervix. Although these changes are histologically benign, it is not known whether they are precursors of malignancy. Although similar data are not available with the use of other estrogens, it cannot be presumed they would not induce similar changes. Several reports suggest an association between intrauterine exposure to female sex hormones and congenital anomalies, including congenital heart defects and limb reduction defects. 13-16 One case control study 16 estimated a 4.7 fold increased risk of limb reduction defects in infants exposed in utero to sex hormones (oral contraceptives, hormone withdrawal tests for pregnancy, or attempted treatment for threatened abortion). Some of these exposures were very short and involved only a few days of treatment. The data suggest that the risk of limb reduction defects in exposed fetuses is somewhat less than 1 per 1000. In the past, female sex hormones have been used during pregnancy in an attempt to treat threatened or habitual abortion. There is considerable evidence that estrogens are ineffective for these indications, and there is no evidence from well controlled studies that progesterones are effective for these uses. IF ESTERIFIED ESTROGENS AND METHYLTESTOSTERONE FULL STRENGTH or ESTERIFIED ESTROGENS AND METHYLTESTOSTERONE HALF STRENGTH is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, she should be apprised of the potential risks to the fetus, and the advisability of pregnancy continuation.

Common side effects

• Myocardial infarction
• Stroke
• Venous thromboembolism
• Hepatocellular neoplasma
• Peliosis hepatis
• Bleeding in patients on concomitant anticoagulant therapy
• Polycythemia
• Gynecomastia
• Excessive frequency and duration of penile erections
• Oligospermia
• Hirsutism
• Male pattern of baldness

Key clinical trials

• Body Composition Assessment in Transgender Population.
• Novel Approaches for Minimizing Drug-Induced QT Interval Lengthening (PHASE4)
• Pain Alleviation With Testosterone in Opioid-Induced Hypogonadism (PHASE2)
• Phase 2a Study of High-Dose Testosterone Followed by Radioligand Therapy in mCRPC (PHASE2)
• Supraphysiologic Testosterone Priming Induces Darolutamide Extended Response (PHASE2)
• Does Human Skeletal Muscle Possess an Epigenetic Memory of Testosterone? (PHASE2,PHASE3)
• Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Hypogonadal Patients With Prostate Cancer Under Active Surveillance (PHASE4)
• Bipolar Androgen Therapy to Restore Sensitivity to Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Patients With Metastatic Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer (PHASE1)

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

• Testred CI brief — competitive landscape report
• Testred updates RSS · CI watch RSS
• Bausch Health portfolio CI