Home CPD Testosterone replacement therapy

Testosterone replacement therapy

CPD

February 5, 2025

CPD credits

Accreditation Number : CAP2502DMTS

Group 1 : 0.75 CPD credits

Group 2 : 1.5 CPD credits

This activity has been accredited for 0.75 hours of Group 1 CPD (or 0.75 CPD credits) suitable for inclusion in an individual pharmacist's CPD plan, which can be converted to 0.75 hours of Group 2 CPD (or 1.5 CPD credits) upon successful completion of relevant assessment activities.

Case scenario

David, a 49-year-old male, 178 cm, 93 kg, presents at the pharmacy for some advice about low testosterone levels. He states that he has been feeling lethargic, has low libido, and feels as though his strength has declined as he has gotten older. His GP had requested pathology, and David was told that his testosterone was ‘slightly low but not enough for supplementation’. David feels that testosterone will fix his issues and wishes to know how to access a prescription.

Learning objectives

After reading this article, pharmacists should be able to:

Explain the role of testosterone in males
Discuss therapies used to manage symptoms of low testosterone in males on androgen deprivation therapy
Describe the different forms of testosterone available in Australia on prescription
Describe clinically appropriate and inappropriate uses for testosterone therapy.

Competency standards (2016) addressed: 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 2.2, 3.1, 3.5

Accreditation number: CAP2502DMTS

Accreditation expiry: 31/01/2028

Already read the CPD in the journal? Scroll to the bottom to SUBMIT ANSWERS.

Introduction

Testosterone is a steroid hormone primarily produced in the Leydig cells of the male testes.¹ To a lesser extent, it is also produced by the adrenal glands and the ovaries in females.² Production of testosterone is controlled by luteinising hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) secreted by the pituitary gland.² Further upstream, it is gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus that stimulates the release of LH and FSH.² Consequently, the axis

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ACT³	No comparable criteria
NSW⁴	· pharmacist gives the person an opportunity to seek advice as to the use of the substance · quantity, or for a purpose must accord with the recognised therapeutic standard of what is appropriate in the circumstances
NT⁵	· pharmacist must not intentionally supply to a person in a manner reckless to their circumstance
QLD⁶	· pharmacist reasonably believes the patient has a therapeutic need
SA	No comparable criteria
TAS⁷	· pharmacist forms the opinion use in the treatment of the patient is justified on consideration of the condition, disease or symptoms of the person
VIC⁸	· for treatment of a patient under pharmacist’s care · pharmacist has taken all reasonable steps to ensure a therapeutic need exists
WA⁹	No comparable criteria

ACT³	No comparable criteria
NSW⁴	· pharmacist gives the person an opportunity to seek advice as to the use of the substance · quantity, or for a purpose must accord with the recognised therapeutic standard of what is appropriate in the circumstances
NT⁵	· pharmacist must not intentionally supply to a person in a manner reckless to their circumstance
QLD⁶	· pharmacist reasonably believes the patient has a therapeutic need
SA	No comparable criteria
TAS⁷	· pharmacist forms the opinion use in the treatment of the patient is justified on consideration of the condition, disease or symptoms of the person
VIC⁸	· for treatment of a patient under pharmacist’s care · pharmacist has taken all reasonable steps to ensure a therapeutic need exists
WA⁹	No comparable criteria

ACT³	No comparable criteria
NSW⁴	· pharmacist gives the person an opportunity to seek advice as to the use of the substance · quantity, or for a purpose must accord with the recognised therapeutic standard of what is appropriate in the circumstances
NT⁵	· pharmacist must not intentionally supply to a person in a manner reckless to their circumstance
QLD⁶	· pharmacist reasonably believes the patient has a therapeutic need
SA	No comparable criteria
TAS⁷	· pharmacist forms the opinion use in the treatment of the patient is justified on consideration of the condition, disease or symptoms of the person
VIC⁸	· for treatment of a patient under pharmacist’s care · pharmacist has taken all reasonable steps to ensure a therapeutic need exists
WA⁹	No comparable criteria

ACT³	No comparable criteria
NSW⁴	· pharmacist gives the person an opportunity to seek advice as to the use of the substance · quantity, or for a purpose must accord with the recognised therapeutic standard of what is appropriate in the circumstances
NT⁵	· pharmacist must not intentionally supply to a person in a manner reckless to their circumstance
QLD⁶	· pharmacist reasonably believes the patient has a therapeutic need
SA	No comparable criteria
TAS⁷	· pharmacist forms the opinion use in the treatment of the patient is justified on consideration of the condition, disease or symptoms of the person
VIC⁸	· for treatment of a patient under pharmacist’s care · pharmacist has taken all reasonable steps to ensure a therapeutic need exists
WA⁹	No comparable criteria

Is advance provision of S3s legal?

But don’t we need to assess a patient’s therapeutic need?

So when is advanced supply of S3 OK?

What other things do I need to consider?

So what about the Rikodeine?

Table 1 – Legal requirements for pharmacists when prescribing Schedule 3 medicines

References

What motivated you to seek election as the next PSA National President?

What do you hope to achieve as PSA President?

Why do you feel this is such a pivotal moment for PSA and the profession?

What are the major challenges pharmacists are facing right now?

How do you see the profession evolving in 5 years?

How have your background and previous experiences shaped your views of the profession?

Case scenario

Learning objectives

Introduction

Aetiology and pathophysiology

Clinical features

Diagnosis, differential diagnosis and prognosis

Management and treatment

Knowledge to practice

Conclusion

Case scenario continued

Key points

References

Our authors

Our reviewer

Conflict of interest declaration

Wrong-patient supply leads to hospital admission

Labelling and selection errors

A stronger incident-reporting culture

Building a career in incident management

ALERT 1: Potential risk of suicidal thoughts

What does the product warning say?

What products are affected by this alert?

What should pharmacists do?

ALERT 2: Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and contraception

Is it just tirzepatide (Mounjaro)?

Is advance provision of S3s legal?

But don’t we need to assess a patient’s therapeutic need?

So when is advanced supply of S3 OK?

What other things do I need to consider?

So what about the Rikodeine?

Table 1 – Legal requirements for pharmacists when prescribing Schedule 3 medicines

References

What motivated you to seek election as the next PSA National President?

What do you hope to achieve as PSA President?

Why do you feel this is such a pivotal moment for PSA and the profession?

What are the major challenges pharmacists are facing right now?

How do you see the profession evolving in 5 years?

How have your background and previous experiences shaped your views of the profession?

Case scenario

Learning objectives

Introduction

Aetiology and pathophysiology

Clinical features

Diagnosis, differential diagnosis and prognosis

Management and treatment

Knowledge to practice

Conclusion

Case scenario continued

Key points

References

Our authors

Our reviewer

Conflict of interest declaration

Wrong-patient supply leads to hospital admission

Labelling and selection errors

A stronger incident-reporting culture

Building a career in incident management

ALERT 1: Potential risk of suicidal thoughts

What does the product warning say?

What products are affected by this alert?

What should pharmacists do?

ALERT 2: Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and contraception

Is it just tirzepatide (Mounjaro)?

Is advance provision of S3s legal?

But don’t we need to assess a patient’s therapeutic need?

So when is advanced supply of S3 OK?

What other things do I need to consider?

**ALERT 2: Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and contraception**

**ALERT 2: Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and contraception**

**ALERT 2: Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and contraception**