Testosterone Boosters: Big with Boomers

FDA concerns about the safety of two testosterone boosters from Endo Pharmaceuticals may delay their approval, but safety concerns haven't kept testosterone sales from increasing 25 percent in the past year (while Viagra sales have dropped 8 percent), according Business Week.

Despite research studies, including one from the University of North Carolina, which show that testosterone boosters do not slow aging, they are commonly prescribed for older adults. Men use testosterone boosters to treat erectile dysfunction, and women use them hoping to increase sexual satisfaction.

If you use testosterone boosters in gel form, you may have seen packaging with the FDA's black box warning about secondary testosterone exposure. This was ordered after children--who were exposed to testosterone from the hands or clothing of an adult--began showing signs of testosterone exposure, including changes in genital size, development of pubic hair, and increased libido.

The Business Week article also reports that testosterone booster sales are expected to increase as more aging boomers look for their fountain of youth.