Testosterone Cypionate, Depo-testosterone

Written by Malini Ghoshal, RPh, MS
Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Updated on June 29, 2023

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved testosterone cypionate to treat types of male* hypogonadism.

They include:

• primary hypogonadism in males* (testicles don’t make enough sex hormone testosterone)
• hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in males* (damage to the part of the brain that tells the testicles to make testosterone)

This article describes testosterone cypionate’s uses, side effects, and more.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the term “male” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about testosterone cypionate.

Can testosterone cypionate be prescribed for bodybuilding?

No. Bodybuilding is not an approved use for testosterone cypionate injection. This drug is only approved to treat hypogonadism in males.*

However, anabolic steroids (lab-created versions of testosterone) may be misused to build muscle for bodybuilding. (Misuse is using a drug in a way other than how a doctor prescribes it.)

Misuse of this medication can increase the risk of serious side effects. These can include heart problems such as heart attack and heart failure, liver damage, kidney problems, and serious mood changes. It can also lead to dependence. (With dependence, your body needs the drug to function as usual.)

It’s important to use testosterone cypionate exactly how your doctor prescribes it for you. If you have questions about the uses of testosterone cypionate injection, talk with your doctor.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the term “male” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.

What brand names are available for testosterone cypionate?

Testosterone cypionate is available as the brand-name drug Depo-Testosterone. There are other brand names and dosage forms of testosterone available that treat low testosterone levels.

Your doctor can provide more information about other brand names of testosterone. They can also tell you how the brand-name drug Depo-Testosterone compares with the generic version of the medication.

Where should I inject testosterone cypionate?

Testosterone cypionate injection may be given by a healthcare professional, or your doctor may show you how to administer testosterone cypionate injection yourself. This injection is given into a muscle. Usually, it’s given into the buttocks.

If you have questions about how to inject testosterone cypionate, talk with your doctor.

How does testosterone cypionate work? And how long does it take to start working?

Testosterone cypionate works by replacing testosterone that your body is unable to make. The drug starts working to increase testosterone levels after it is injected by slowly releasing testosterone into your body.

Testosterone cypionate is usually given every 2–4 weeks as an injection into a muscle. Your doctor will likely recommend blood tests to check your testosterone levels and adjust your dosage as needed.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as testosterone cypionate for certain conditions. Approved uses for testosterone cypionate are described below.

Use for conditions associated with low testosterone levels

Doctors may prescribe testosterone cypionate injection for treating hypogonadism in males.* It’s used for this purpose in adults and children ages 12 years and older. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment. Testosterone cypionate injection is given into a muscle.

With hypogonadism, your body doesn’t make enough testosterone (a type of sex hormone).

Symptoms may include low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, reduced growth of the testicles and penis, and loss of body hair.

Doctors may not prescribe testosterone cypionate injection in certain situations. These can include a history of serious heart, kidney, or liver disease, or breast or prostate cancer.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the term “male” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.

Testosterone cypionate may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of testosterone cypionate and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about testosterone cypionate’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for testosterone cypionate listed in the “Article resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects of testosterone cypionate are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about testosterone cypionate’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for testosterone cypionate listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Testosterone cypionate liquid solution for injection’s mild side effects include:

• headache
• acne
• pain and inflammation at the injection site
• gynecomastia (breast enlargement)
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for testosterone cypionate” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of testosterone cypionate are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about testosterone cypionate’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for testosterone cypionate listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, testosterone cypionate’s serious side effects include:

• deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
• heart attack
• stroke
• enlargement of the prostate gland
• central serous chorioretinopathy (problems with vision)
• liver problems, including liver cancer
• blood clotting problems, which can increase your risk of bleeding
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for testosterone cypionate” section.

Below, you’ll find information about testosterone cypionate’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of testosterone cypionate

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you use testosterone cypionate, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for testosterone cypionate” section below.

Warnings for testosterone cypionate

Some people should not use testosterone cypionate, and others should use it cautiously.

Testosterone cypionate could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether testosterone cypionate is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for testosterone cypionate, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Testosterone cypionate can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to testosterone cypionate or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe testosterone cypionate. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to testosterone cypionate, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of testosterone cypionate

If you use testosterone cypionate, you should not inject more testosterone cypionate than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve given yourself too much testosterone cypionate, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and testosterone cypionate

Information about testosterone cypionate and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Note: Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.

Testosterone cypionate and pregnancy

Testosterone cypionate should not be used during pregnancy. The drug is only FDA-approved for use in males with hypogonadism. It is not approved for use in females. If you have questions about testosterone cypionate and pregnancy, talk with your doctor.

Testosterone cypionate and breastfeeding

Testosterone cypionate should not be used while breastfeeding. Testosterone cypionate is approved for use in males with hypogonadism. If you have questions about testosterone cypionate and breastfeeding, talk with your doctor.

This article describes testosterone cypionate’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about testosterone cypionate or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Are there other forms of testosterone cypionate to treat my condition that I don’t have to inject?
• Will I have a higher risk of side effects when I first start treatment with testosterone cypionate?
• How long will I need to get testosterone cypionate injections for my condition?

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Testosterone cypionate, testosterone cypionate injection solution. (2023). nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/cab949ca-fde9-c5a9-5561-21e98d86d078/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.