Oral Testosterone in Oil: Pharmacokinetic Effects of 5α-Reduction by Finasteride or Dutasteride and Food Intake in Men

This study investigated the effects of administering oral testosterone in oil combined with either finasteride or dutasteride on serum testosterone levels in men with experimentally induced hypogonadism. The study found that combining oral testosterone with either finasteride or dutasteride roughly doubled the resulting serum concentrations of testosterone. The study also found that food intake had a slight effect on serum testosterone levels but did not significantly affect serum DHT levels. The study suggests that combinations of oral testosterone in oil and 5a reductase inhibitors may allow for an oral, selective form of androgen therapy, but additional studies of the long-term safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of these combinations are warranted to determine if they will be a clinically useful alternative method to treat testosterone deficiency.