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Re: ANDROCUR USERS!!! PLEASE READ!!!
From: Janine (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Thu, 5 Sep 2002 21:42:14 -0500 (CDT)
Thanks for your reply. It really helped (and kind of scared me)
At Thu, 5 Sep 2002, Barb wrote:
>
>In most countries Androcur (cyproterone acetate) can only been
>prescribed by a medical specialist.
>
>Androcur or cyproterone acetate is an anti-androgen which is prescribed
>to treat androgen dependant conditions.
>
>Cyproterone acetate is used for women who have too much androgen
>production and/or seem to be overly sensitive to androgen activity in
>their bodies. Cyproterone acetate is used for acne and/or overactive
>oil glands and hirsutism as well as androgen dependent hair loss.
>
>In men, cyproterone acetate is used for prostate cancer treatment, to
>reduce sex drive in men, for the treatment of sexual aggression, and for
>use by male to female transsexuals in conjucntion with estrogen
>supplements.
>
>What are the effects of taking Androcur?
>
>Androcur is an antiandrogenic hormone preparation. It inhibits the
>influence of androgens which are also produced - to a slight extent- in
>the female organism, and also exerts a progestational and
>antigonadotrophic effect.
>
>Cyproterone acetate inhibits competitively the effect of androgens at
>androgen-dependent target organs, e.g. it shields the prostate from the
>effect of androgens originating from the gonads and/or the adrenal
>cortex.
>
>In the man, under treatment with ANDROCUR, sexual drive and potency are
>reduced and gonadal function is inhibited. These changes are reversible
>following discontinuation of the therapy.
>
>In the woman, hirsuitism is reduced, but also androgen-dependent
>alopecia and elevated sebaceous gland function are reduced. During
>treatment, ovarian function is reduced.
>
>Dosage:
>
>The extreme range of dosage comes from input that some people find
>10mg/wk sufficient to induce total impotence, and yet others take as
>much as 200mg/day with no obvious short-term adverse effects. Given
>this range, it would seem prudent to start on the low side and work your
>way up only if necessary. More than 100mg/day is generally considered
>excessive.
>
>There are some reports of depression when the dosage is too high for a
>given individual. There appears to be a causal relationship because the
>depression evidently disappeared as soon as the dosage was reduced,
>according to those reports.
>
>WARNING:
>
>Androcur is the most powerful of anti-androgen drugs and must not be
>taken by any patient with a medical condition, or one who is taking /
>has recently taken other drugs that are contra-indicated.
>
>During treatment, liver function, adrenocortical function and the red
>blood-cell count should be checked regularly.
>
>Direct hepatic toxicity, including jaundice, hepatitis and hepatic
>failure, which has been fatal in some cases, has been reported in
>patients treated with 200 - 300mg cyproterone acetate. Most reported
>cases are in men with prostatic cancer. Toxicity is dose-related and
>develops, usually, several months after treatment has begun. Liver
>function tests should be performed pre-treatment and whenever any
>symptoms or signs suggestive of hepatotoxicity occur. If hepatotoxicity
>is confirmed, cyproterone acetate should normally be withdrawn, unless
>the hepatotoxicity can be explained by another cause, e.g. metastatic
>disease, in which case cyproterone acetate should be continued only if
>the perceived benefit outweighs the risk.
>
> Hope this information helps.
>Ask your doctor about it.
>Personally,I would not increase the dose.In many cases with drugs..less
>is more.
>You can sometimes tolerate a drug at a higher dose than at a lower dose
>and vise versa.Never increase the dosage without consulting your health
>care provider.
>
>Please let us know how you are doing on this medication.
>
>Barb
>>From reading on this drug,it has effects on the complaints you have.
>I am sure your doctor knows what he is doing and I have seen references
>of it helping with PCOS related problems in women..eg.hair loss
>,hairgrowth,acne etc.
>You must have high levels of androgens.
>I do too,but don't exhibit the physical signs of it,but I did at one
>time.
>
>>Hi Janine, sorry I can't help you out with your question as I have never
>>even heard of this drug. If you go to the opening page of the pcos
>>pavillion, you may want to try to ask on the medication forum and check
>>the archieves. Sorry I can't help, but I'm sure someone on here can.
>>Good luck !
>>
>>At Wed, 4 Sep 2002, Janine wrote:
>>>
>>>I have been given androcur 50mg. Will this get rid of acne??????? Has
>>>anyone here have it help that? Please respond!
>>>
>>>Desperate!
>
>--
>Sincerely,
>Barb C.
>
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