Staying Ahead of Testosterone Shortages in Canada
Testosterone shortages aren’t always predictable, but there are practical steps you can take to reduce the risk of running out of medication. This guide outlines practical strategies to help you stay prepared when supplies tighten.
1. Don’t Run Out
The simplest and most effective strategy is to never let your supply reach zero. Maintaining a small buffer can help you ride out temporary disruptions.
If possible:
- Purchase two vials at a time instead of one.
- Reorder before you’re down to your final vial.
Some pharmacies may limit multi-vial purchases, especially for new patients. In that case, talk to your prescriber about the shortage situation and ask if they can make a note on your prescription authorizing two-vial purchases.
This simple step can make the difference between staying on schedule and facing a treatment gap.
2. Stay Informed About Shortages
Staying informed makes it easier to plan ahead. Check with your pharmacist regularly and use reliable sources for updates. You can use Tshortages.ca to view the latest testosterone shortage data from Health Canada. The more you know, the easier it is to decide whether to refill early, switch products, or transfer your prescription.
3. Move Your Prescription to a Pharmacy With Stock
If your pharmacy can’t get your usual product, you can transfer your prescription to another pharmacy with available stock. In many provinces, including British Columbia, a new prescription is no longer required for a transfer — the receiving pharmacy can handle it directly. (Rules can vary by province, so it’s always worth confirming locally.)
Keep in mind:
- Once you transfer your prescription, it will be cancelled at the original pharmacy.
- In rural areas, you might need to expand your search to nearby towns or larger chains.
4. Switch to Another Product
Pharmacies can sometimes substitute a product if it’s an equivalent formulation, but there are limits to what can be changed without a new prescription.
- Cypionate to Cypionate: Pharmacies used to substitute between brands of testosterone cypionate (e.g., Taro and Pfizer’s former Depo-Testosterone). Because Depo-Testosterone has been discontinued, this is no longer an option.
- Cypionate to Enanthate (or vice versa): Not interchangeable without a new prescription, as they are different drugs.
- Gels: Substitution between AndroGel (sachet), Taro Testosterone Gel, and Testim is generally permitted. However, AndroGel pump and sachet formats are not interchangeable without prescriber approval.
- Different delivery methods: Switching between injectable, gel, nasal, or oral testosterone requires a new prescription and may cause temporary hormone-level changes while your body adjusts.
Before using a different product, double-check the label to confirm the concentration and delivery method match your prescription.
→ More About Switching Testosterone Products During a Shortage
5. Consider Compounding Pharmacies
If you’re allergic to cottonseed or sesame oil, shortages can be especially difficult to manage because switching between standard injectables may not be possible. A specialty compounding pharmacy may be able to create a custom injectable formulation for you.
Keep in mind:
- Compounded testosterone can be expensive.
- It may take extra time to prepare and ship.
If this isn’t an option, your prescriber may suggest temporarily adjusting your dose or injection interval to help extend your remaining supply. Even small adjustments can help extend your remaining stock safely.
6. Support Each Other and Stay Patient
If you’re having trouble filling your prescription, remember that many patients face the same issue during shortages. People often share information, compare pharmacy availability, and support one another during these periods.
Avoid sharing vials or transferring medication directly, as testosterone is a controlled substance under Canadian law. Instead, focus on official channels: prescribers, pharmacists, and verified data sources.
Shortages do resolve, but being prepared makes them easier to manage. Keeping a small backup supply, staying informed, and understanding your options can help you stay on treatment even when supply is tight.