Ciproterone acetate is an antineoplaic and steroid indicated for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer in men in cases where surgery is not possible to be performed, or for the reduction of sexual impulse, as it has antiandrogenic action, which leads to a decrease in the amount of testosterone in the body.
In addition, when combined with ethylyleodiol, cyproterone may be indicated for women to help regulate hormone levels in the body that, when altered, can cause increased skin oiliness, body hair or ovarian cysts.
Cyproterone acetate can be found in pharmacies or drugstores, in its generic form or with the trade name Androcur, for men and women, or with the trade names Selene or Diane 35 for women, for example, and should be used only with medical indication.
What is it for
Cyproterone acetate is indicated for men for the treatment of:
In addition, in women, cyproterone associated with ethinylestradiol is indicated for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome, mild hirsutism, seborrheic or papular-pusmear or cystic nodule acne.
How to take
The way of taking cyproterone varies according to the condition to be treated and the presentation of the remedy, which includes:
1. Ciproterone acetate 50 mg tablets
Cyproterone in the form of 50 mg tablets should be taken orally with some water after a meal.
The dosage of ciproterone varies according to the condition to be treated and includes:
- Decrease in sex drive (in men): the recommended dose is 1 50 mg tablet 2 times daily. This dose may be increased by the doctor to 100 mg, 2 or 3 times a day. Upon achieving the expected results it is recommended to keep the treatment with the lowest possible dose of preference 50 mg, 1 time a day, according to medical advice;
- Inoperable advanced prostate cancer (in men): the normally recommended dose is 100 mg, 2 to 3 times a day, as directed by the doctor.
In the case of women of reproductive age, treatment with gyproterone should be started on the 1st day of the menstrual cycle, or in case the woman does not have menstruation, it may be started immediately, and the first day of treatment should be considered as the first day of the cycle.
The normally recommended dose for women is 100 mg of cyproterone from the 1st to 10th day of the cycle. At the same time, it is recommended to use Diane 35, from the 1st to 21st day of the cycle to prevent a pregnancy and stabilize the menstrual cycle.
After 21 days of treatment, a 7-day break from Diane 35 should be taken, during which menstrual-like bleeding should occur. On the 8th day, the treatment schedule should be repeated.
2. 2. Cyproterone and ethylestradiol acetate
Cyproterone acetate 2 mg and ethinylestradial 0.035 mg (Diane 35 or Selene) is indicated only for women for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome, mild hirsutism, seborreic or papylene-pulpal acne or cystic nodule.
To start treatment with cyproterone acetate and ethystradiol, when no other hormonal contraceptives have been used before, the tablet should be taken on the first day of menstruation and, after finishing the pack, a break should be taken of 7 days before starting the next one. Learn how to take Selene and Diane 35 correctly.
Although cyproterone acetate and ethylene ethylestradiol is an oral contraceptive, it should not be used exclusively to prevent pregnancy, being indicated only for the treatment of symptoms of androgen hormone changes in women.
The time of treatment with cyproterone acetate and ethylene ethylestradiol should be guided by the gynecologist, according to the condition to be treated, but usually varies from 3 to 12 months.
Possible side effects
The most common side effects that may arise during treatment with cyproterone acetate are headache, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, mood swings, depression, or changes in sexual appetite.
In addition, cyproterone can cause liver poisoning that can be perceived through symptoms such as general malase, yellowish skin and eyes, loss of appetite, dark stools and light urine. In such cases, treatment should be stopped immediately and seek the nearest emergency room.
The use of cyproterone by men can cause decreased sperm production and fertility, erectile dysfunction or breast enlargement. These side effects usually improve after stopping treatment.
In women, side effects such as pain or increased breast tenderness, bleeding outside of the menstrual period, decreased or increased libido, reduction or increase in body weight may also arise.
Who should not use
Cyproterone should not be used by pregnant or breast-feeding women, or by people who have liver disease, sickle cell anemia, diabetes mellitus with blood vessel impairment, severe chronic depression, or debilitating diseases that cause tiredness or weakness.
In addition, this remedy should not be taken by people with current or previous history of thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, heart attack, stroke, angina pectoris, benign tumor in the brain (meningioma), benign or malignant tumor in the liver, or by people who have an allergy to cyproterone or any other component of the formula.
Cyproterone should also not be used by women with a history of herpes during pregnancy.
