Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Female to male transsexual talk (FTM) => Transsexual talk => Testosterone => Topic started by: Peep on March 07, 2018, 04:22:10 AM

Title: Testogel/ testim 'shortages' (UK)
Post by: Peep on March 07, 2018, 04:22:10 AM
So i was prescribed testogel & when I went to the pharmacy they said there was a manufacturing shortage and I needed to get my script changed to testim -- which i did & it took over a week -- and then at my GIC, I was told that there is no testogel shortage, but that certain large chain pharmacies will tell people there is a shortage of one brand of medicine because they have deals with manufacturers of other kinds to supply those instead.

So after my perscription ran out, I went back to get more and was told that there's now a shortage of testim and i have to change back to testogel, which makes me think the shortage was actually real?

I've been out of T for over a week now because my GP was busy and now I have to wait even longer to either find somewhere with a stock of testim or to get my prescription changed, and I was wondering if anyone else had come across this problem, if these shortages are real, and if this will happen every time i need to get my prescription refilled?

thanks folx
Title: Re: Testogel/ testim 'shortages' (UK)
Post by: Elis on March 07, 2018, 12:28:47 PM
Having this problem atm. Both Testogel and testim seem to be unavailable. I have heard Tostran, another T gel, is available but heard no word from the pharmacy yet. Looking like I'll have to without again  >:(
Title: Re: Testogel/ testim 'shortages' (UK)
Post by: PurpleWolf on March 07, 2018, 12:54:16 PM

That sounds just so horrible... Can you guys get on shots instead for a while or...?
Are there shortages of T shots (I mean injectable T ofc) as well, or just the gel???
Title: Re: Testogel/ testim 'shortages' (UK)
Post by: Peep on March 08, 2018, 05:59:54 AM
I have hospital-related trauma and i don't think i could handle injections as well as the blood draws I have to have every few months, gel seemed so ideal :(

I would literally rather not be on T than have the injection stress looming over me all the time haha
Title: Re: Testogel/ testim 'shortages' (UK)
Post by: Peep on March 08, 2018, 06:01:14 AM
Quote from: Elis on March 07, 2018, 12:28:47 PM
Having this problem atm. Both Testogel and testim seem to be unavailable. I have heard Tostran, another T gel, is available but heard no word from the pharmacy yet. Looking like I'll have to without again  >:(

I'll have to ask about tostran :/ do you use a big pharmacy like Boots or independent ones? none of them seem to have access to testim here
Title: Re: Testogel/ testim 'shortages' (UK)
Post by: Elis on March 08, 2018, 07:24:35 AM
Quote from: Peep on March 08, 2018, 06:01:14 AM
I'll have to ask about tostran :/ do you use a big pharmacy like Boots or independent ones? none of them seem to have access to testim here

I use the big ones.  Just have the time or energy to chase up which pharmacy has what; didn't have this problem before so it's frustrating
Title: Re: Testogel/ testim 'shortages' (UK)
Post by: Kylo on March 08, 2018, 04:27:01 PM
Yes, I noticed they switched manufacturers and were taking 2 weeks to get supplies last year, so I basically over-order and keep back 6 months of T canisters now to avoid any of that.
Title: Re: Testogel/ testim 'shortages' (UK)
Post by: Peep on March 09, 2018, 02:58:39 AM
I don't think I could get my GP to renew my prescription much earlier than a week or so -- if she prescribes me 2 months worth & I say I've gone through it in one month she might think something's up? either i'm taking more than prescribed or giving it to someone else

I don't think she'd prescribe me more than that either cause my dose might go up or down but I might ask next time and mention the shortages and the back & forth i have to do :/
Title: Re: Testogel/ testim 'shortages' (UK)
Post by: Kylo on March 09, 2018, 04:51:47 PM
I would have thought you could get a repeater prescription for gel l like I do. You don't have to go back to the GP every time, they give you a repeater sheet each time they tear it off when you get the meds over the counter, and you take that back next time. Since it's medication for life you shouldn't need to see a GP for a new one every time
Title: Re: Testogel/ testim 'shortages' (UK)
Post by: Peep on March 10, 2018, 03:30:40 AM
maybe nhs scotland works differently? Because the re-order sheet has to go back to my GP, I don't have to make an appointment and physically see them but I have to request the repeat refilled & because I'm only 3 months in, she's not been giving me repeat prescriptions anyway as my dose may change.

regarless if there's no gel to be had there's not much a repeat script can do for me
Title: Re: Testogel/ testim 'shortages' (UK)
Post by: Oblivion on March 13, 2018, 09:25:11 PM
If anyone still checks this thread, the manufacturer Besins have discontinued testogel sachets and released a pump dispenser for testogel instead. It's got a leaflet inside the box so you're able to convert your sachets into how many pumps you'll need. You'll just need an appointment with the GP so they can prescribe you the testogel pump now instead and they should have no trouble getting that in.
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/28471306_253044458811488_8022056532168789769_n.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&oh=29903ad6409fd6d1244f230653719b55&oe=5B4B30FC)
Title: Re: Testogel/ testim 'shortages' (UK)
Post by: Peep on March 14, 2018, 05:21:15 AM
Quote from: Oblivion on March 13, 2018, 09:25:11 PM
If anyone still checks this thread, the manufacturer Besins have discontinued testogel sachets and released a pump dispenser for testogel instead. It's got a leaflet inside the box so you're able to convert your sachets into how many pumps you'll need. You'll just need an appointment with the GP so they can prescribe you the testogel pump now instead and they should have no trouble getting that in.
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/28471306_253044458811488_8022056532168789769_n.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&oh=29903ad6409fd6d1244f230653719b55&oe=5B4B30FC)

that's interesting thank you!

I wonder why the pharmacy isn't aware of this :/ it would be way better than sachets cause the sachets are more than my dose so a lot gets wasted
Title: Re: Testogel/ testim 'shortages' (UK)
Post by: Oblivion on March 14, 2018, 05:52:15 PM
Quote from: Peep on March 14, 2018, 05:21:15 AM
that's interesting thank you!

I wonder why the pharmacy isn't aware of this :/ it would be way better than sachets cause the sachets are more than my dose so a lot gets wasted
No worries mate. Personally I wouldn't have known either since I'm on sustanon but I'm part of an FB group that's really informative. I hope your pharmacy doesn't give you too much more trouble.
Title: Re: Testogel/ testim 'shortages' (UK)
Post by: Kylo on March 14, 2018, 07:43:02 PM
Quote from: Peep on March 08, 2018, 06:01:14 AM
I'll have to ask about tostran :/ do you use a big pharmacy like Boots or independent ones? none of them seem to have access to testim here

Boots normally have access to Tostran, which is what I use. But Tostran itself has gone through 2 different sourcers in the last year. I hope T is not one of those things the NHS decides it has no money for in the future due to unreliable suppliers.
Title: Re: Testogel/ testim 'shortages' (UK)
Post by: alexsaunders98 on March 25, 2018, 12:43:58 PM
I was prescribed testogel for the first time almost a week ago now. My prescription was for 8 weeks worth, but I only managed to get 30 days worth. The pharmacist said they had "trouble getting hold of it and I was lucky that they even had one in stock.
Title: Re: Testogel/ testim 'shortages' (UK)
Post by: Peep on March 26, 2018, 06:44:27 AM
Quote from: alexsaunders98 on March 25, 2018, 12:43:58 PM
I was prescribed testogel for the first time almost a week ago now. My prescription was for 8 weeks worth, but I only managed to get 30 days worth. The pharmacist said they had "trouble getting hold of it and I was lucky that they even had one in stock.

I've heard this a lot from people everywhere in the UK... no one seems to know why it's so hard to get now