Testosterone hormone replacement and its alternatives

The use of testosterone replacement is increasing and this trend is expecte d to continue; due in part to the ageing population of the developed world. The production of this androgen is described to emphasise the diversity of possible therapeutic interventions. Current therapies are reviewed briefly to illustrate how the developments claimed in the patent literature may im prove patient acceptability as well as increasing therapeutic testosterone levels safely and physiologically. The patents divide into novel androgens, or androgen-esters available to be administered via several different rout es, including oral treatment. Following on from this, patents to improve tr ansdermal testosterone delivery are considered with novel reservoir and mat rix patches as well as new enhancers and gels. In recent years alternative methods for increasing testosterone concentrations have been patented. Thes e include direct stimulation of androgen production, displacement of testos terone from sex hormone binding globulin, anti-oestrogens and non-steroidal androgen agonists. Finally, claims for novel androgen replacement in women are described, as androgens have been shown to improve specific symptoms o f the climacteric.