Androcur 50mg Tablet (Cyproterone Acetate) – Bayer

Androcur is an anti-androgen medicine.

Androgens such as testosterone are natural male sex hormones which are also produced, to a slight extent, in females.

In men, androgens may help cancer cells to grow in some types of prostate cancer. By blocking these hormones, Androcur may slow or stop the growth of cancer. Androcur may also be used in combination with other medicines or following surgical removal of the testes to treat side effects such as “hot flushes” or “sweats” and to prevent any initial worsening of the disease.

Androcur is also used to reduce abnormal sex drive in men.

In women, androgens may increase hair growth, loss of scalp hair and secretion of oil from the sweat glands. By blocking these hormones, Androcur may slow or stop excessive hairiness, loss of scalp hair, acne, oily skin, and dandruff.

Cyproterone acetate inhibits competitively the effect of androgens on androgen-dependent target organs, e.g. it shields the prostate from the effect of androgens originating from the gonads and/or the adrenal cortex. Prostatic carcinoma and its metastases are in general androgen-dependent, Androcur, therefore, exerts a direct antiandrogenic action on the tumour and its metastases.

Cyproterone acetate in addition has a progestogenic action exerting a negative feedback effect centrally on the hypothalamic receptors, so leading to a reduction in gonadotropin release, and hence to diminished production of testicular androgens. Treatment with cyproterone acetate in men results in a reduction of sexual drive and potency and inhibition of gonadal function. These changes are reversible following discontinuation of the therapy.

Androcur 50 contains 50 mg of the active ingredient cyproterone acetate. It also contains the inactive ingredients lactose, corn starch, povidone, magnesium stearate, aerosil.