Androcur - Anybody Use It?

[Guest therisa]

My Endo suggested that I try Androcur, instead of Spiro. Has anybody here used it before? I know it can cause depression in it's user. It's other uses include being a chemical castration drug and for prostate cancer.

[Guest Donna Jean]

.

Honey.....

I don't think that drug is an option in the USA.....

More used in Europe, I believe...

Donna Jean

[Guest therisa]

Donna Jean, I don't live in the US, yet, as Canada is still independant country, but not for the lack of trying of certain Cdns.

[Guest Robin Winter]

My Endo suggested that I try Androcur, instead of Spiro. Has anybody here used it before? I know it can cause depression in it's user. It's other uses include being a chemical castration drug and for prostate cancer.

Out of curiosity, did your Endo happen to mention why (s)he thought that would be better than spiro?

[Guest therisa]

Am almost at the limit, they feel comfort prescribing Spiro, for me, Shilo. The endo said, I would get very little effect by increasing the Spiro, ie like going from 89 to 90% effectiveness. The real kicker part is, Ontario Drug Benefit Plan has refuse approve section 8 appeals for funding it. Grrr.

Sorry, Donna Jean, am having a bad day today, and didn't mean to take it out on you.

therisa

[Guest erikka2046]

Hi Therisa,

I use Androcur (cyproterone) for about three months already. I was worried too about the side effects like depression and liver toxicity. So far so good and there is no psychological or physical side effects on me and it works well on me. My Endo use this because it has a bit faster effect as its both an antiandrogen and has a progestational effect (act like progesterone), plus my age using spiro will takes longer than Androcur. In treating prostate cance, androcur is used in a much higher dosage more compare to the dosage for transsexual HRT. Tthe side effect for liver is not significant as treating prostate cancer. A routine blood work to check the liver enzyme should be sufficient to monitor any liver side effect. As Donna mentioned, Androcur is not allowed to use in US but very popular in Europe.

Your endo should have a certain reason base on your medical and other factors instead of prescribing spiro to you. I know a couple girls are on Androcur and they are fine with it. You may need to ask your Endo or pharmacist if you have any doubt. Hope this help.

Erikka

[Guest Donna Jean]

Donna Jean, I don't live in the US, yet, as Canada is still independant country, but not for the lack of trying of certain Cdns.

Honey...I know that you don't live in the US....I was only making a comment that it's more popular in Europe as per Erikka..

As Donna mentioned, Androcur is not allowed to use in US but very popular in Europe.

Donna Jean

[Guest KimberlyF]

If it's used in most of the rest of the civilized world and not a miracle drug on the back streets of a third world country that the USA has blocked, I'd be tempted to believe it's effective and the FDA is just being governmental. And when in doubt, I tend to follow the advice of my doctors. If I'm not comfortable doing that, I find new ones.

Kim

[Guest therisa]

Hi Therisa,

I use Androcur (cyproterone) for about three months already. I was worried too about the side effects like depression and liver toxicity. So far so good and there is no psychological or physical side effects on me and it works well on me. My Endo use this because it has a bit faster effect as its both an antiandrogen and has a progestational effect (act like progesterone), plus my age using spiro will takes longer than Androcur. In treating prostate cance, androcur is used in a much higher dosage more compare to the dosage for transsexual HRT. Tthe side effect for liver is not significant as treating prostate cancer. A routine blood work to check the liver enzyme should be sufficient to monitor any liver side effect. As Donna mentioned, Androcur is not allowed to use in US but very popular in Europe.

Your endo should have a certain reason base on your medical and other factors instead of prescribing spiro to you. I know a couple girls are on Androcur and they are fine with it. You may need to ask your Endo or pharmacist if you have any doubt. Hope this help.

Erikka

Erikka, are you on social benefits, like Ontario Works or ODSP? (Please pardon my asking this very personal question of you.) For the ODBP is very reluctant to give its approval on it. Is the cost of Endrocur, very expensive? For I face the possibly of having to pay for it, out of my limited monetary budget, if rejected.

[Guest Robin Winter]

Erikka, are you on social benefits, like Ontario Works or ODSP? (Please pardon my asking this very personal question of you.) For the ODBP is very reluctant to give its approval on it. Is the cost of Endrocur, very expensive? For I face the possibly of having to pay for it, out of my limited monetary budget, if rejected.

I can't imagine it's very expensive. From what I've seen, the cost of HRT (estrogen and anti-androgens together) is only somewhere in the realm of 30 bucks a month. I intend to pay mine whether my drug plan covers it or not. I'm not taking chances my employers will find out prematurely lol.

[Guest erikka2046]

Erikka, are you on social benefits, like Ontario Works or ODSP? (Please pardon my asking this very personal question of you.) For the ODBP is very reluctant to give its approval on it. Is the cost of Endrocur, very expensive? For I face the possibly of having to pay for it, out of my limited monetary budget, if rejected.

Hi Therisa,

Fortunately I have extended health plan from work which covers the medications (both the estradiol patch and androcur). I think both of them cost about 30 something a month. I am not sure about the ODSP coverage, I heard people's experience they are very reluctant to cover anything. Here is a link about drugs funded by Ontario Drug Benefit: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/providers/program/drugs/odbf_eformulary.html Hope this help.

Erikka

[Guest therisa]

It's true, Erikka. I had to file section 8 exemption form to get onto Estrogen. Now, with the latest provincial budget, things will be getting harder for us.