Anti Androgens

[Guest Orva26]

Hello,

hi

I have quite the simple question. Everywhere I go Spiro is always given as the staple anti-androgen to take. But it cannot be the only medication out there that would serve this purpose. I ask because from my knowledge its affect of blocking testosterone is secondary and achieved with a higher dosage that administered for its intended purpose. The fact that is a diraetic which not only robs the body of water but potientialy nutrients as well is also concerning. So what other drugs are around that are meant for this purpose?

-Orva

[Guest Donna Jean]

.

Orva....Spiro is a diuretic because it is a blood pressure reducing medication that just happens to have anti-androgen properties....

Propicia (Finesteride) is also an anti-androgen that is sold for hair re-growth...

There are others that are used overseas and not common here in the US ...

Donna Jean

[Guest Alexandra89]

I'm currently on Zoladex (don't remember what the generic name is) because I'm being screened for a potential infection that a diuretic like spiro might threaten, and finasteride alone isn't strong enough. It's an injection I give myself monthly which puts a nearly microscopic implant into the tissue in my abdomen which releases a compound that stops the testes from producing androgens. It's kind of expensive (~ $50 for a monthly dose, more than twice what I used to pay for spiro), but far preferable to going off hormones again (tried for two weeks, nearly went crazy).

Injecting it is a pain in more ways than one. I have to sit on the bed, lean forward a little, grab the little fold in my stomach that this position creates, and inject slowly at an angle so that the implant doesn't enter the muscle tissue. It took me about as long as you might think to learn how to do it.

I think it's more popular in some European countries than it is here, but I'm not sure. As soon as I can get back on spiro, I'm going to do it. This takes way more money and effort.

[Guest Julie T]

Orva

Please see your doctor on all this.

We don't really go into detail on prescription drugs, especially dosages, but I think everyone generally knows Spironolactone is used as a T-Blocker, which literally blocks testosterone receptor sites, and it is also a drug that reduces blood pressure. It's action is through a diuretic process, and yes, you wake up and pee in he middle of the night, usually. It can also make you retain potassium. Some people are not able to take Spiro, and have to either do without a Tblocker or with a different acting Tblocker.

Also common knowledge here is the use of Fenasteride. It is used to reduce prostate problems and has a side effect of reducing hair loss, because it is a true antiandrogen.

I have seen some references to Androcur, but I have no information on it other than I think it is a steroid, which is not healthy over a long time period, and I don't think it is available in the USA.

There are others but they are usually just different trade names for the above drugs.

But see your doctor on all this.

Julie

[Guest e319]

Orva,

Spiro is cheap and generally well tolerated, which is why it's most prescribed in the US. Take a multivitamin and drink an extra glass of water

But some common other ones are: finasteride (proscar, propecia), biclautamide (casodex), cyproterone acetate (androcur, not approved in US) Each has a slightly different mechanism of action. Look 'em up in wikipedia!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-androgen

[Guest Sally G.]

Hi Ovra,

I am on siterone (a cyproterone acetate). Currently this is all I take as my endo likes to lower T into the female range before prescribing E.

Interestingly the cyproterone acetates have a weak progestational effect (act like a progesterone).

I have only been on it for less than two weeks but have already noticed some changes. These include a very mild diuretic effect (I get up in the early morning for a pee), a slight fullness in the breast area (although this might just be wishful thinking on my part) and a drop in libido.

Because of the debate in mtf circles about the efficacy of progesterone in HRT I will post an update at three months and on starting E if this is more than three months away.

Aroha

Sally

[Guest _addison_]

hi Orva,

i take a drug called Lupron (leuprolide acetate). im pretty sure that it works in a totally differently than the ones mentioned above cause it works by shutting down the part of the brain responsible for puberty/regulating the reproductive system. it seems to work really well for me (my testosterone level is 1.6 if that means anything to you? lol). but its REALLY expensive,, its like $800/month o.O my insurance covers most of it so it ends up being like $4/month lmao...

xoxox

addie

[Guest Orva26]

Thanks for the responses. Of course I will talk with a doctor about this before I do anything. The real first order of business is getting one... been dragging my feet doing that. I'm gonna get myself in gear soon though.

I'll probably end up on Spiro since it is cheap and effective I just wanted to know of other options before I am in an office with a MD. From my experiences Drs seem to have favorite medications and I'm not one to take it for granted that they would actually tell me of all my options. Basically I wanted some kind of knowledge of the choices a head of time.

That Zoladex doesn't sound fun I hope you can get back to your preferred medicine soon Alexandra.

I've actually heard a bit about Lupron. From what I understand/remember it works by over stimulating part of the endocrine system and as a result T is suppressed. I have actually begun to research it a little. I'll probably look into it more when I get the time.

[Guest Krista Achorn]

Hi Orva;

It is comforting to hear that other endos also prescribe blockers to reduce T, before prescribing significant estrogen. I'm taking spiro and finasteride along with a very low dose of premarin. Wikipedia says that six months or more may be needed to see the full effects of finasteride. I'm following doctor's orders to the letter, despite the sense of urgency that I feel. September will be the six month mark for me, I'm curious how the blood test will come out.

Like most things, it takes time to find a good endo who can help with HRT. There are some about but you really have to ask around. Mine doesn't take new trans patients, but I was already seeing my endo for the thyroid condition that I have.

'Best;

Krista