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Key takeaways
Testosterone cypionate is a generic prescription drug that is FDA-approved for men with low testosterone levels due to primary hypogonadism or hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
There are many testosterone cypionate alternatives available, such as other injectable testosterone drugs, transdermal testosterones, oral testosterones, and subdermal testosterones. Each of these alternatives has its own dosages, side effects, and warnings.
If you’re looking to switch to a testosterone alternative, be sure to consult a healthcare provider. Stopping your current testosterone medication can cause withdrawal symptoms if not done properly. A healthcare provider can help determine which alternatives are safe for you and the best plan to switch treatments.
Testosterone cypionate is a generic prescription medication that is FDA-approved for men with low testosterone levels due to primary hypogonadism or hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Also known by its brand name Depo-Testosterone, testosterone cypionate is a type of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)—a form of hormone replacement therapy—used to restore normal testosterone levels and relieve its associated symptoms. In some cases, testosterone cypionate may cause unpleasant side effects, or its price may be too expensive. Either way, some people may seek an alternative to testosterone cypionate.
In this article, we’ll discuss testosterone cypionate alternatives.
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What can I take instead of testosterone cypionate?
Testosterone cypionate is a common medication used to treat low testosterone levels. However, if you’re looking for an alternative, there are many other options, such as other injectable testosterone drugs, transdermal testosterones, oral testosterones, and subdermal testosterones. Each of these alternatives has its own dosages, side effects, and warnings.
The following table lists some common testosterone cypionate alternatives.
| Compare testosterone cypionate alternatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Depo-Testosterone (testosterone cypionate) | $81 for 2, 1 mL of 200 mg/mL vials | $31 for 2, 1 mL of 200 mg/mmL vials of generic testosterone cypionate | See latest prices |
| Xyosted (testosterone enanthate) | $844 for 4, 0.5 mL of 100 mg/0.5 mL pens | $574 for 4, 0.5 mL of 100 mg/0.5mL pens of brand-name Xyosted | See latest prices |
| Testim (testosterone gel) | $758 for 30, 5gm of 50mg/5gm tube | $94 for 30, 5gm of 50 mg/5 gm tubes of generic Testim | See latest prices |
| Natesto (testosterone nasal gel) | $383 for 1, 7.32 gm of 5.5 mg/spray tube of gel | $243 for 1, 7.32 gm of 5.5 mg/spray tube of gel of brand-name Natesto | See latest prices |
| Jatenzo | $1,359 for 60, 237 mg capsules | $920 for 60, 237 mg capsules of generic Jatenzo | See latest prices |
| Kyzatrex | $61 for 10, 100 mg capsules | $16 for 10, 100 mg capsules of brand-name Kyzatrex | See latest prices |
| Tlando | $1,000 for 120, 112.5 mg capsules | $834 for 120, 112.5 mg capsules of brand-name Tlando | See latest prices |
| Testopel | $1,307 for 10, 75 mg pellets | $1,095 for 10, 75 mg pellets of brand-name Testopel | See latest prices |
Top 5 testosterone cypionate alternatives
The following are some of the most common alternatives to testosterone cypionate.
1. Xyosted
Testosterone cypionate, or Depo-Testosterone, and Xyosted (testosterone enanthate) are both injectable forms of testosterone that are used to treat adult males with a testosterone deficiency. However, they can be delivered differently and have different side effect profiles. For example, Xyosted is administered via subcutaneous (under the skin) injection while testosterone cypionate is given through an intramuscular injection. They are both controlled III substances, however, Xyosted commonly causes increased blood pressure and increased hematocrit (a component of red blood cells), while testosterone cypionate can cause baldness and changes in libido (sex drive).
2. Testim
Unlike testosterone cypionate, Testim is a brand-name medication. They are both considered testosterone replacement therapies, but Testim is a topical gel that you apply to the skin, while testosterone cypionate is an injection. As a topical drug, there is a risk of the medication being transferred to loved ones or children. However, unlike injections, topical medications are not as painful upon administration. The cost of brand-name Testim is much higher than the cost of testosterone cypionate, but a SingleCare discount card can help lower the price significantly.
3. Jatenzo
Jatenzo is a brand-name oral formulation of testosterone that is a testosterone replacement therapy. It is typically taken twice daily, which is much more frequent than testosterone cypionate, which is usually administered once every two to four weeks. Unlike testosterone cypionate, Jatenzo is only available as a brand-name medication at this time, therefore, its cost is very high in comparison to testosterone cypionate.
4. Kyzatrex
Kyzatrex is another oral form of testosterone that comes in a capsule. Unlike Jatenzo, it has a boxed warning for the risk of increased blood pressure. However, it is taken twice daily just as Jatenzo is. Both Jatenzo and Kyzatrex are brand-name medications that do not have generics available.
5. Testopel
Testopel is another testosterone replacement therapy that comes as pellets that are implanted under the skin. It is more long-acting than testosterone cypionate, as the drug is typically administered once every 3 to 6 months. In comparison, testosterone cypionate is usually given once every 2 to 4 weeks.
Natural alternatives to testosterone cypionate
Some people may be curious about a natural alternative to testosterone cypionate. While there are no natural alternatives that are FDA-approved to treat low testosterone levels, many over-the-counter supplements claim to do so. These include dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and D-aspartic acid.
DHEA is a natural hormone in the body that is used to produce testosterone and other sex hormones. It is sold as a dietary supplement that people take to help with erectile dysfunction (ED), libido, muscle strength, and other uses. However, research shows there is little effectiveness for its use in increasing testosterone levels.
D-aspartic acid is believed to be involved in the production and release of testosterone in the body, and many people think it can be used as a testosterone booster. While there is evidence that D-aspartic acid can increase testosterone levels in male animals, more information is needed to confirm whether it can have this effect in humans.
Otherwise, certain lifestyle changes may help maintain and improve testosterone levels, including:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Exercising
- Eating a healthy diet full of healthy fats, proteins, and nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables
- Limiting alcohol and tobacco
- Avoiding bisphenol A (BPA) in plastics, containers, and certain canned foods
How to switch to a testosterone cypionate alternative
If testosterone cypionate isn’t right for you, it’s a good idea to consult a healthcare provider before stopping the medication. Testosterone cypionate is a Schedule III controlled substance due to its risk of misuse and abuse. It can also cause physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms, such as depressed mood, fatigue, and loss of appetite, if it is stopped too abruptly. Therefore, a healthcare professional will likely have you taper your dose to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Choosing the right path for hypogonadism treatment
Whether you’re having bothersome adverse effects from testosterone cypionate or the cost is too expensive, there are many other testosterone therapies available. Examples include Natesto, Testim, and Testopel. It’s possible to switch to a different testosterone medication, however, you should only do so under the medical advice of a healthcare provider.
- DHEA, Medline Plus (2024)
- Dietary adjuncts for improving testosterone levels in hypogonadal males, American Journal of Men’s Health (2015)
- Jatenzo (testosterone undecanoate) capsules prescribing information, DailyMed (2025)
- Kyzatrex (testosterone undecanoate) capsules prescribing information, DailyMed (2022)
- Lifestyle strategies to help prevent natural age-related decline in testosterone, Harvard Health (2024)
- Male hypogonadism, StatPearls (2024)
- Testopel (testosterone pellet) prescribing information, DailyMed (2024)
- Testosterone cypionate prescribing information, DailyMed (2022)
- The putative effects of D-Aspartic acid on blood testosterone levels: a systematic review, International Journal of Reproductive Biomedicine (2017)
- Xyosted (testosterone enanthate) injection prescribing information, DailyMed (2025)