Other names used:
• Cyproterone What is it used for?
Cyproterone (SYE-proe-te-rone) is used to treat cancer of the prostate gland. The prostate gland is present only in males; therefore, females do not get prostate cancer.
Contraindications and cautions:
Before taking cyproterone make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:
• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
• If you have liver problems.
• If you consume a lot of alcohol.
• If you suffer from diabetes mellitus.
• If you have been diagnosed with any other type of cancer.
• If you suffer from a wasting disease.
• If you have suffered from thrombosis or an embolism (formation of a blood clot which travels to another part of the body and causes blockage).
• If you suffer from sickle cell anaemia.
• If you suffer from depression.
• If you suffer from porphyria.
Side effects:
Like many medicines, cyproterone acetate tablets may cause side-effects in some patients, particularly when you first start taking them.
The most common side-effects are impotence and a reduction in sexual desire (libido) and sperm production, resulting in infertility. You may still produce some sperm but more of them than usual will be abnormal, with a possible increased risk of abnormal babies. Your doctor will advise you further if you are thinking of having children.
Side-effects that some other patients have had with cyproterone acetate tablets include stroke, heart attack, raised blood pressure, swelling of the ankles, thrombosis (a clot in a blood vessel), anaemia, development of breasts (which usually lessen as treatment continues), discharge from the nipples, breast lumps, tiredness or sleepiness (usually lessening as treatment continues), headache (also lessening as treatment continues), feeling sick, jaundice (yellowing of the skin) and liver problems, rash, depression, breathing problems, loss of hair or an increase in body hair, dry skin, weight changes and thinning of the bones (osteoporosis).
Rarely allergic reactions can occur. You should tell your doctor immediately if you experience wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling, rash or itching.
Interactions: Taking another medicine while you are taking cyproterone tablets can affect how it or the other medicine works. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, even those you may have bought yourself without a prescription. Please check with your doctor if you are taking any of the following (or any other medication):
• other sex hormones
• oral antidiabetic medicines or insulin
|
