Cyproterone is an anti-androgen which is prescribed to treat androgen dependant conditions.
Cyproterone 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.
Important Note
This medication should only be taken under specialist supervision. During treatment, liver function, adrenocortical function and the red blood-cell count should be checked regularly.
Cyproterone contains 50mg of cyproterone acetate, the most powerful anti-androgen yet developed. It inhibits the production of the male hormone testosterone, which is responsible for the development of male characteristics such as body hair, beard growth, deep voice, greasy skin/hair and the male sex drive.
What are the effects of taking Cyproterone?
Cyproterone 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 Cyproterone, 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
Cyproterone 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.
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