Cyproterone acetate is an antineoplastic and steroid indicated for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer in men in cases where surgery is not possible, or for reducing sexual drive, as it has antiandrogenic action, which leads to a decrease in the amount of testosterone in the body.
Furthermore, when associated with ethinyl estradiol, cyproterone can be indicated for women to help regulate hormone levels in the body which, when altered, can cause increased skin oil, body hair or ovarian cysts.
Cyproterone acetate can be found in pharmacies or drugstores, in its generic form or under the trade name Androcur, for men and women, or under the trade names Selene or Diane 35 for women, for example, and should only be used as indicated. doctor.
What is it for
Cyproterone acetate is indicated for men for the treatment of:
Furthermore, in women, cyproterone associated with ethinyl estradiol is indicated for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome, mild hirsutism, seborrheic or papulo-pustular acne or nodular cystic acne.
How to drink
The way to take cyproterone varies according to the condition being treated and the presentation of the medicine, which includes:
1. Cyproterone acetate 50 mg tablets
Cyproterone in the form of 50 mg tablets should be taken orally, with a little water, after a meal.
The dosage of cyproterone varies according to the condition being treated and includes:
- Decreased sex drive (in men): the normally recommended dose is 1 tablet of 50 mg, twice a day. This dose can be increased by the doctor to 100 mg, 2 or 3 times a day. When achieving the expected results, it is recommended to maintain treatment with the lowest possible dose, preferably 50 mg, once a day, as per 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 cyproterone should be started on the 1st day of the menstrual cycle, or if the woman does not have menstruation, it can be started immediately, and the first day of treatment should be considered as the 1st day. of the cycle
The normally recommended dose for women is 100 mg of cyproterone from the 1st to the 10th day of the cycle. At the same time, it is recommended to use Diane 35, from the 1st to the 21st day of the cycle to prevent pregnancy and stabilize the menstrual cycle.
After 21 days of treatment, you should take a 7-day break from Diane 35, during which bleeding similar to menstruation should occur. On the 8th day, the treatment regimen must be repeated.
2. Cyproterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol
Cyproterone acetate 2 mg and ethinyl estradiol 0.035 mg (Diane 35 or Selene) is indicated only for women for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome, mild hirsutism, seborrheic or papulo-pustular acne, or nodular cystic acne.
To start treatment with cyproterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol, when no other hormonal contraceptive has been previously used, the pill must be taken on the first day of menstruation and, after finishing the pack, a break of 7 days must be taken before starting. the following. Find out how to take Selene and Diane 35 correctly.
Although cyproterone and ethinyl estradiol acetate is an oral contraceptive, it should not be used exclusively to prevent pregnancy, being indicated only for the treatment of symptoms of changes in androgen hormones in women.
The duration of treatment with cyproterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol must be advised by the gynecologist, according to the condition being treated, but generally varies from 3 to 12 months.
Possible side effects
The most common side effects that may occur during treatment with cyproterone acetate are headache, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, mood changes, depression or changes in sexual appetite.
Furthermore, cyproterone can cause liver toxicity, which can be seen through symptoms such as general malaise, yellowing of the skin and eyes, loss of appetite, dark stools and light urine. In these cases, treatment must be stopped immediately and sought by 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.
Side effects may also occur in women, such as pain or increased sensitivity in the breasts, bleeding outside the menstrual period, decreased or increased libido, reduced or increased body weight.
Who shouldn’t use
Cyproterone should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, or by people who have liver disease, sickle cell anemia, diabetes mellitus with compromised blood vessels, severe chronic depression or debilitating illnesses that cause tiredness or weakness.
Furthermore, this medicine should not be taken by people with a current or previous history of thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, heart attack, stroke, angina pectoris, benign brain tumor (meningioma), benign or malignant liver tumor, or by people who have are allergic to cyproterone or any other component of the formula.
Cyproterone should also not be used by women with a history of herpes during pregnancy.
