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Cyproterone

  • Tablets should be taken with meals.
  • Your doctor will need to run some blood tests to check your liver function, levels of blood cells and adrenocortical function; you should keep these appointments.
  • If you suffer from diabetes you will need to monitor your blood sugar level.
  • This medication is not for people under the age of 18 years of age.
  • When you have been taking cyproterone for some months, you will probably become unable to make anyone pregnant.

About cyproterone

Type of medicine Anti-androgen
Used for Control of sex drive in men
Prostate cancer
Also called Androcur
Cyprostat
Available as Tablets

Cyproterone works by starving prostate cancer cells of testosterone, which prevents them growing; eventually the prostate tumour will shrink.

Before taking cyproterone

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.

How to take cyproterone

  • Your dose will vary depending on what you are being treated for.
  • Tablets should be taken with meals.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • Your doctor will need to run some blood tests to check your liver function, levels of blood cells and adrenocortical function; you should keep these appointments.
  • If you suffer from diabetes you will need to monitor your blood sugar level.
  • This medication is not for people under the age of 18 years of age; if you are under 18 and have been given this medication, do not take any tablets and contact your doctor.

Can cyproterone cause problems

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine What can I do if I experience this
Feelings of tiredness, no energy Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert.
Breathlessness Speak to your doctor if this becomes troublesome
Low mood Speak to your doctor if this becomes troublesome

You may also notice lightening of hair colour and increased growth of scalp hair.
When you have been taking cyproterone for some months, you will probably become unable to make anyone pregnant. Speak to your doctor if you are thinking of having children.

How to store cyproterone

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines


  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
© EMIS 2007 DocID:
3333		 DocRef:
dils2305		 Last Updated:
20 Jun 2007		 Date of Next Review:
19 Jun 2009		 Version:
22
Patient UK Current Health News




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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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