FDA to Review Safety of Testosterone Therapy

Drug regulators will review the safety of testosterone treatments because of research suggesting that they may raise heart risk for some men. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the review January 31. Testosterone has been widely advertised as a potential treatment for low energy and sex drive, among other symptoms. But a study published January 29 found an increased risk of heart attack for men taking testosterone therapy. The risk was seen among men under age 65 with prior heart disease and older men with or without heart disease. Heart attack risk doubled in the 90 days after the men began treatment. The journal PLoS One published the study online. A study in 2010 also found a higher risk of heart problems in men taking testosterone. All were over 65. They were compared with men who received placebo treatments. The new study used a medical records database.