AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on drugs, both medical and "recreational". Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease.
Organizations Institute of Biology, London.
Publications Author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" 5th Edition published in November 2007 by Pearson Education, Australia.
Question Hello,
I am applying Andro Gel,1%. Why can it not be applied directly to the scrotal area, but rather applied to the areas recommended by the drug companies? It would seem to be more effective if applied directly to the scrotal area.
Thank you,
Ed K
Answer Dear Ed
Drugs such as testosterone because they are highly potent and very fatty in nature can be given by what is termed to transdermal route. It is their fatty nature that allows them to be absorbed through the skin. cf salt, sugars etc applied to the skin will not be absorbed through the skin. Even fatty substances are not all that well absorbed so have to be very potent. There are several factors that affect skin permeability to drugs. Skin thickness, the soles of the feet and palms of the hands would not be a good surface, whereas the face and scrotum have very thin skin making absorption fast. The other main factor is the presence of hair as eachhair creates a pore (follicle) through which drugs can pass rapidly. When drug manufacturers formulate drugs for transdermal delivery the site of application is chosen to produce the best and constant delivery for that drug.
Testosterone absorbed through the skin goes ionto the bloodstream and is distributed around the body and affects most tissues and is not given only for its action on the testes. If you did attach the patch to the scrotum and could keep it there (this would be difficult) absorption would be fast and you would have to apply frequent patches to maintain blood levels.
Hopefully this makes sense to you and answers your question.
