Anti-androgen

Side effects

What are anti-androgens?

Androgens are hormones that regulate the development of sex characteristics. Usually, people born with male sex characteristics tend to have high levels of androgens. People born with female characteristics tend to have low levels of androgens. Instead, they often have high levels of estrogen.

Anti-androgen drugs work by blocking the effects of androgens, such as testosterone. They do this by binding to proteins called androgen receptors. They bind to these receptors so that androgens can’t bind to them.

There are several types of anti-androgens. You can usually take them with other medications or during certain surgical procedures.

How are they used?

Anti-androgens have many uses, from managing prostate cancer to reducing unwanted facial hair.

For women

Many women tend to produce few androgens. However, some women may produce more than others.

For example, women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)Trusted Source often have higher androgen levels. This can cause excess hair growth, acne, and ovulation problems. Anti-androgens can help reduce these symptoms in women with PCOS.

Other conditions that cause high levels of androgens in women include:

• adrenal hyperplasia

• ovarian tumors

• adrenal gland tumors

Anti-androgens can help manage these conditions and prevent complications caused by high androgen levels in women. These complications include:

• diabetes

• high cholesterol

• high blood pressure

• heart disease

For men

Androgens stimulate cancer cell growth in the prostate. Lowering androgen levels, or preventing androgens from reaching cancer cells, can help slow down cancer. It may also shrink existing tumors.

In its early stages, prostate cancer cells rely on androgens to feed their growth. Anti-androgens work by blocking androgensTrusted Source from binding to androgen receptors in prostate cancer cells. This starves the cancer cells of the androgens they need to grow.

However, anti-androgens don’t stop androgen production. Medical professionals often combine anti-androgens with other treatments, such as surgical or chemical castration. These combinations are also called:

• combined androgen blockage

• complete androgen blockade

• total androgen blockade.

What is finasteride?

Finasteride is a prescription drug. It comes as an oral tablet.

View our available products of Anti-androgen below.

Finasteride side effects

Finasteride oral tablet doesn’t cause drowsiness, but it can cause other side effects.

The more common side effects that can occur with finasteride include:

• decreased sex drive

• trouble getting or keeping an erection

• ejaculation disorder

• increase in breast size and tenderness

• skin rash

If these effects are mild, they may disappear within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t disappear, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

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For people with liver disease: This drug is processed in your liver. If you have liver disease, your body might process this drug more slowly. This could lead to a buildup of this drug in your body, which could increase your risk for side effects. Your doctor might reduce your dosage of finasteride.

For people with prostate cancer: Finasteride can increase the chance of a faster growing or irregular form of prostate cancer. If you have or have had prostate cancer, this drug can make it worse.