Volume 197 - Issue 6
Pharmacoepidemiology of testosterone prescribing in Australia, 1992–2010
Author: Stephen P Fitzgerald
Med J Aust 2012; 197 (6): 329-330. || doi: 10.5694/mja12.11014
Published online: 17 September 2012
Published online: 17 September 2012
To the Editor: Could Handelsman comment on whether
he considered opioid-associated hypoandrogenism when describing the increasing prescribing of testosterone?1 Opioid-induced androgen deficiency has become more recognised, and is one of the most common causes of testosterone deficiency among men in many communities.2,3 It may be that the increase in opioid prescribing4 has complemented the promotion
of testosterone therapy.
Stephen P Fitzgerald General Physician and Endocrinologist
To the Editor: Could Handelsman comment on whether he considered opioid-associated hypoandrogenism when describing the increasing prescribing of testosterone?1 Opioid-induced androgen deficiency has become more recognised, and is one of the most common causes of testosterone deficiency among men in many communities.2,3 It may be that the increase in opioid prescribing4 has complemented the promotion of testosterone therapy.
Competing interests
No relevant disclosures.
References
- Handelsman DJ. Pharmacoepidemiology of testosterone prescribing in Australia, 1992–2010. Med J Aust 2012; 196: 642-645. 0_BABGBJJI
- Daniell H. Opioid-induced androgen deficiency. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes 2006; 13: 262-266. 0_i1142862
- Bhasin S, Cunningham GR, Hayes FJ, et al. Testosterone therapy in men with androgen deficiency syndromes: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2010; 95: 2536-2559. 0_i1142864
- Roxburgh A, Bruno R, Larance B, Burns L. Prescription of opioid analgesia and related harms in Australia. Med J Aust 2011; 195: 280-284. 0_CBBEGAAF