Jatenzo (testosterone undecanoate) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat low testosterone levels. The drug comes as a capsule that you swallow. It’s usually taken twice per day.
Jatenzo is prescribed for testosterone replacement therapy in adult males* with low testosterone levels.
Jatenzo comes as a capsule that you swallow. Its active ingredient is testosterone undecanoate. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) It belongs to a group of drugs called androgens.
This article describes the dosages of Jatenzo, as well as its strengths and how to take it. To learn more about Jatenzo, see this in-depth article.
* In this article, we use the term “male” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.
The table below highlights the basics of Jatenzo’s dosage. All doses are listed in milligrams (mg).
| Minimum dosage | Recommended starting dosage | Maximum dosage |
| 158 mg twice per day | 237 mg twice per day | 396 mg twice per day |
What is Jatenzo’s form?
Jatenzo comes as a capsule that you swallow.
What strengths does Jatenzo come in?
Jatenzo is available in the following strengths:
- 158 mg
- 198 mg
- 237 mg
What are the usual dosages of Jatenzo?
Your doctor will likely prescribe the recommended starting dosage of Jatenzo when you first begin taking Jatenzo. They will then adjust the dosage over time to reach the right amount for you.
The information below describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you.
Dosage for testosterone replacement therapy
Before prescribing Jatenzo, your doctor will confirm that you have a low testosterone level. Your doctor will schedule a testosterone test for you on two different mornings.
Once your diagnosis is confirmed, your doctor will likely prescribe the recommended starting dosage of Jatenzo. This is 237 mg taken twice per day, once in the morning and once in the evening.
After 7 days of treatment, your doctor will repeat the testosterone test. The test will be done 6 hours after your morning dose of Jatenzo. The table below highlights the general dose adjustments made depending on your testosterone level. Testosterone levels are measured in nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL).
| Testosterone level | Jatenzo dosage change |
| less than 425 ng/dL | increase |
| 425–970 ng/dL | no change |
| more than 970 ng/dL | decrease* |
* If you’re already taking the lowest dosage (158 mg twice per day) and your testosterone level is more than 970 mg/dL, your doctor will stop your treatment with Jatenzo.
Your doctor will continue to adjust your Jatenzo dose until your testosterone level is within the desired range. Then your doctor will check your testosterone level periodically to make sure that dose is still working for you.
The minimum dosage of Jatenzo is 158 mg taken twice per day. The maximum dosage is 396 mg taken twice per day.
Is Jatenzo taken long term?
Yes, Jatenzo is usually taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
If you have questions about how long you’ll need to take Jatenzo, talk with your doctor.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Jatenzo’s dosage.
Can Jatenzo be taken for bodybuilding? If so, what’s the dosage?
No, Jatenzo should not be taken for bodybuilding. Taking Jatenzo when you don’t have a low testosterone level increases your risk of serious side effects, including high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.
Taking Jatenzo for bodybuilding also increases your risk of developing dependence on the drug. With dependence, your body needs the drug to function as usual. See the “Jatenzo and withdrawal and dependence” section below for more information.
If you’re interested in learning about legal steroids or other supplements for bodybuilding, talk with your doctor.
Is the dosage of Jatenzo similar to the dosage of the testosterone cypionate injection?
No, it isn’t similar. Although Jatenzo and testosterone cypionate (Depo-testosterone) are both prescribed as testosterone replacement therapy, they have different forms and dosing schedules. They also contain different kinds of testosterone.
Testosterone cypionate is given as an injection into a muscle (usually the buttocks) every 2–4 weeks. Jatenzo is a capsule that you swallow twice per day.
Jatenzo contains testosterone undecanoate. This is different from testosterone cypionate. But the recommended dosage of both drugs depends on your testosterone level.
Testosterone cypionate can also be prescribed to children ages 12–17 years. Jatenzo can only be prescribed to adults.
To learn more about how these two drugs compare, talk with your doctor.
Jatenzo comes as a capsule that you swallow. You’ll usually take one twice per day, once in the morning and once in the evening.
You should take Jatenzo with food. This helps your body absorb the medication.
Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush, chew, or split the capsule. This could affect how the drug works and increase your risk of side effects.
If you have trouble swallowing capsules, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication.
For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Jatenzo, see this article.
Accessible drug containers and labels
Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print or use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
If you miss your dose of Jatenzo, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses of Jatenzo at once.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Jatenzo on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Do not take more Jatenzo than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.
What to do in case you take too much Jatenzo
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Jatenzo. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
Jatenzo is a Schedule III controlled substance. This means it’s regulated by the federal government due to its potential risks of misuse and dependence.
Jatenzo may be misused as an anabolic steroid. Misusing Jatenzo includes taking it without a doctor’s prescription or taking a larger dose than what your doctor has prescribed.
When someone misuses Jatenzo, they have an increased risk of developing dependence. With dependence, your body needs the drug to function as usual.
Once someone has become dependent on Jatenzo, suddenly stopping or lowering the dose could cause withdrawal symptoms. (Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on.)
Withdrawal symptoms could last for weeks or even months. Withdrawal symptoms may include:
- depression
- fatigue (low energy)
- cravings for Jatenzo
- anorexia (loss of appetite)
- restlessness
- irritability
- insomnia (trouble sleeping)
- low sex drive
Always take the exact dose your doctor prescribes. It’s been shown in studies that when people take their prescribed dosage of Jatenzo, they don’t become dependent on it. If you have questions or concerns about your dosage or the risk of drug dependence, talk with your doctor.
The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Jatenzo for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Remember, you should not change your dosage of Jatenzo without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Jatenzo exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.
Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Does my risk of having a serious side effect increase with a higher dosage of Jatenzo?
- Am I at risk of having withdrawal symptoms* if you decrease my dose of Jatenzo?
- If I have high blood pressure, will you prescribe a lower dosage of Jatenzo?
To learn more about Jatenzo, see these articles:
To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.
* Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.