Antiandrogens

Antiandrogens are drugs that inhibit the effects of male sex hormones ( androgens ). Substances such as cyproterone acetate (6-chloro-1α, 2α-methylene-17-acetoxy-pregna-4,6-diene-3,20-dione) and flutamide block androgen receptors e.g. B. on the prostate and thus cancel the effect of androgens. Therefore, antiandrogens u. a. used in prostate cancer because the androgen action would encourage tumor growth. Possible side effects are male breast growth ( gynecomastia ), loss of libido and potency . Therefore, antiandrogens can also be used in the context of chemical castration . Other preparations: bicalutamide, enzalutamide , abiraterone , spironolactone , medroxyprogesterone .

application

With the man:

• Androgen-deprivative therapy (ADT) to suppress drive in the case of pathologically altered sex drive and sex offenders
• For palliative second-line therapy of advanced prostate cancer
  • Attenuation of the so-called flare phenomenon in the initial phase of ADT
  • Treatment of hot flashes as an adverse drug reaction of ADT
  • Maximizing ADT in combination with or in the event of contraindications to GnRH analogues or after orchiectomy . Bicalutamide, for example, is approved in higher doses for the treatment of patients with locally advanced prostate cancer and a high risk of progression alone or as an adjuvant to radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy.

For the woman:

• With excessive androgen production ("masculinization")
• For acne due to excessive sebum production
• With excessive hair growth with a male distribution pattern (" hirsutism ")
• For hormone treatment of transident women who were born somatically as boys
• As a progestin substitute or derivative in birth control pills combination preparations, e.g. B. as a therapy option for polycystic ovary syndrome without the desire to have children

In addition to impaired sexual interest and physical performance, the possible, sometimes serious side effects include weight fluctuations, depression, headaches, sudden hearing loss, dizziness and an increase in the risk of thrombosis, the latter especially with antiandrogenic oral contraceptives.

See also

• GnRH analogs

Individual evidence

1. ^ Peter Nuhn : Naturstoffchemie , S. Hirzel Verlag Stuttgart, 2nd edition, 1990, p. 445, ISBN 3-7776-0473-9 .
2. ↑ Amelung T1, Kuhle LF, Konrad A, Pauls A, Beier KM .: Androgen deprivation therapy of self-identifying, help-seeking pedophiles in the dark field . In: International Journal of Law and Psychiatry . tape 35 , no. May 3 , 2017, PMID 22420933 .
3. ^ Pharmaceutical newspaper online: Prostate Cancer: New Therapies for Men

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !