Androcur 50 mg Ingredients and Usage

The active substance is Cyproterone Acetate. The 50 mg tablet is taken orally with some liquid after a meal.

Androcur is clinically used for:

• Prostate Cancer: High-dose anti-androgen palliative treatment of advanced, inoperable carcinoma of the prostate in men.
• Hypersexuality/Sexual Deviation (Men): Reduction of sex drive in cases of sexual deviations in men, when other interventions are inappropriate.
• Severe Androgenization (Women): Treatment of severe hirsutism (excessive hair growth), androgen-dependent severe hair loss (alopecia), and severe forms of acne and seborrhoea that are resistant to other treatments.

How Does Androcur Work?

Cyproterone Acetate acts as a primary anti-androgen. Its mechanism of action is two-fold:

1. Receptor Blockade: It competitively blocks the Androgen Receptors in target tissues (like the prostate, skin, and hair follicles). By binding to these receptors, it prevents natural androgens (like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone – DHT) from activating them, thereby inhibiting the effects of male hormones.
2. Antigonadotropic Effect: At higher doses, it exerts a progestogenic effect on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. This decreases the release of Luteinizing Hormone (LH), which in turn reduces the production of testosterone by the testes.

These actions significantly reduce the levels and effect of androgens in the body.

Androcur 50 mg Side Effects and Warnings

Androcur carries significant risks and requires frequent monitoring of liver function and blood counts.

Black Box Warnings and Critical Precautions:

1. Hepatotoxicity (Liver Damage): Severe, potentially fatal, liver toxicity (jaundice, hepatitis, hepatic failure) has been reported, especially with doses of 100 mg and above. Liver function tests must be performed pretreatment and at regular intervals during therapy.
2. Meningioma Risk: The occurrence of Meningiomas (benign brain tumors) has been linked to the long-term use of cyproterone acetate at doses of 25 mg/day and above. If a patient is diagnosed with meningioma, Androcur must be permanently discontinued.
3. Thromboembolic Events: An increased risk of blood clots (e.g., deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism) has been reported. Patients with a history of thromboembolic events or advanced malignancies are at increased risk.
4. Depression: Severe chronic depression is a contraindication, and patients should be monitored for signs of depression during treatment.
5. In Women: Must be combined with a contraceptive (e.g., an estrogen-progestogen preparation) unless pregnancy is surgically excluded, as it can cause feminization of a male fetus.

Androcur 50 mg Storage Conditions

Androcur Tablets should be stored to maintain their stability and efficacy:

• Store the tablets at controlled room temperature, typically below 30°C (86°F).
• Keep the tablets in the original blister pack or container to protect them from moisture and light.
• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Do not use the medicine after the expiry date printed on the packaging.