Hughie - cyprostat is also called Androcur

Hughie - cyprostat is also called Androcur
If you start getting swelling in your ankles, tell your doctors
immediately.
J
<http://www.appco.com.au/appguide/drug.asp?drug_id=00097272&t=cmi>

Cyproterone Acetate

(Schering P/L)
CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION
This leaflet provides a summary of some of the important things you need
to know about Androcur-100. Only your doctor and pharmacist are able to
weigh up all the relevant facts and you should consult them about all
aspects of Androcur-100 as it relates to you.
Identification
Androcur-100 is the brand name for white tablets containing 100 milligrams
of the antiandrogenic substance, cyproterone acetate as the active
ingredient.

As well as its active ingredient, Androcur-100 contains lactose, maize
starch, povidone 25000 and magnesium stearate.

Androcur 100 is presented in blister packs containing either 30, 60, 90 or
120 tablets.

Australian Registration Number: Androcur-100's AUST R number is 51449.
What is Androcur-100 used for and how does it work?
Androcur-100 is an antiandrogenic hormone medication used to treat cancer
of the prostate gland. It can also be used in conjunction with other
medications 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.

Cancer of the prostate gland generally requires androgenic hormones to
grow. Androcur-100 works in two ways. Firstly it stops the androgen
hormones (testosterone) present in your body from being able to attach to
the cancer cells. Secondly by an effect on the hormonal mechanisms that
control androgen production by the body, it decreases the amount of
androgen hormone present in your blood stream.
Checklist before taking Androcur-100
You should advise your doctor if any of the following apply to you before
commencing Androcur-100:

• if you have in the past suffered from blood clots in the leg, stroke or
heart attack
• if you have sickle-cell anaemia
• if you have severe diabetes that has damaged your blood vessels
• if you have suffered from any disease or tumour of your liver
• if you have suffered from severe chronic depression.
How to use Androcur-100 properly
The dosage of Androcur-100 will be determined by your doctor. The usual
dose ranges from one tablet once daily, to one tablet twice or three times
a day.

The tablet should be taken with some liquid after meals.
Further Information
Androcur-100 is only available on a doctor's prescription.

Androcur-100 will normally result in your inability to produce sperm
(infertility) and inability to have an erection (impotence). Androcur-100
may make you tired and thus affect your ability to drive or operate
machinery.

A sensation of shortness of breath may occur in individual cases under
high-dosed treatment with Androcur-100.

Androcur-100 can rarely cause severe damage to your liver, resulting in
jaundice, hepatitis, and in some cases death. Your doctor should perform a
blood test to check your liver before starting you on Androcur-100 and
again if liver disease is suspected. Yellowing of the skin/eyes, abdominal
pain or swelling and darkening of the urine should all be reported
immediately to your doctor.

As with other sex steroids, benign and malignant liver changes have been
reported in isolated cases. In very rare cases, liver tumours may lead to
life-threatening bleeding into the stomach. The doctor must therefore be
informed of the occurrence of unusual upper abdominal complaints which do
not disappear spontaneously within a short time.

Androcur-100 has been observed to attach itself to the genetic material in
animal and human liver cells. It would appear however that this does not
lead to an increase in liver cancer.
Unwanted Effects
The infertility and impotence noted above are expected effects of
Androcur-100 and cannot generally be avoided. The most common side effect
that may occur is tiredness.

Androcur-100 may occasionally result in gynaecomastia (swelling of the
breast area which is sometimes also associated with tenderness or
sensitivity of the breast area to touch), changes in body weight,
diminished libido, nausea, allergy, headache, depressive moods and blood
clotting (which may lead to a clot on the lungs, stroke or heart attack).
In case of overdose
Nausea may occur if large volumes of tablets are swallowed. Vomiting
should be induced with Ipecac if this can be done safely.

Storing Androcur-100

Androcur-100 should be stored below 30°C. It should not be used after the
expiry date printed on the foil and on the outer box.
Where to go for further information
Should you have any questions on the use of Androcur-100 you should
discuss these with your doctor.

http://www.cancernet.co.uk/chem-cpa.htm
CYPROTERONE ACETATE

SIDE-EFFECTS

A feeling of depression. It is common to have a change in mood with
Cyprostat and this may lead to, or exacerbate, depressive illness in some
cases.

* Damage to the liver. Occasionally Cyprostat can interfere with
the function of your liver. This is rarely more than very mild but if you
have a pre-existing liver condition you must tell your doctor. If you feel
unwell or develop yellow jaundice, stop the Cyprostat immediately.
* Lethargy. It is possible to have mild lethargy with Cyprostat.
It is most severe at the beginning but can wear off over time. See - "
coping with lethargy" In some men it occasionally has the opposite effect
and they experience wakefulness.
* Nausea and indigestion. Feelings of mild sickness (nausea) and
indigestion can occur but it usually wears off after a few weeks. See - "
diet and indigestion"
* Weight gain. Weight gain can be a side-effect of Cyprostat and
this is sometimes due to water retention. At other times it is a
consequence of eating more either due to an increased appetite, or mild
nausea "to settle the stomach". See -" coping with weight gain"
* Ankle swelling. If prone to this, Cyprostat can make it worse.
In severe cases this can lead to fluid retention, a strain on the heart,
an increased risk of angina and heart failure.

Less common side effects include:-

* Allergic reactions – this may include skin rashes
* Temporary thinning of the hair
* Swelling and tenderness of the breast tissue
* Headaches – some people affected by migraine have noticed a
change in the pattern of their headaches

OTHER ISSUES There is no interaction between Cyprostat and moderate
amounts of alcohol. Cyprostat does not usually affect your ability to
drive.