Antiandrogen



An antiandrogen, or androgen antagonist, is any of a group of receptors, competing for binding sites on the cell's surface, obstructing the androgens' pathway.

Indications

Antiandrogens are often indicated to treat severe male sexual disorders, such as hypersexuality (excessive antineoplastic agent and palliative, adjuvant or neoadjuvant hormonal therapy in prostate cancer.

Antiandrogens can also be used for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement), acne vulgaris, androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness), and hirsutism (excessive hairiness). They are also occasionally used as a male contraceptive agent, to purposefully prevent or counteract masculinisation in the case of transwomen undergoing sex reassignment therapy, and to prevent the symptoms associated with reduced testosterone, such as hot flashes, following castration.

The administration of antiandrogens in males can result in slowed or halted development or reversal of male secondary sex characteristics, reduced activity or function of the accessory male sex organs, and hyposexuality (diminished libido).

Examples

Currently available antiandrogen drugs (brand names in parentheses) include:

  • hypokalemia, and Conn's syndrome.
  • progestational properties.
  • bicalutamide (Casodex), nonsteroidal, pure antiandrogens. Flutamide is the oldest and has more unwanted side effects than the others. Bicalutamide is the newest and has the least side effects.
  • broad-spectrum antifungal agent effective against a variety of fungal infections, side effects include serious liver damage and reduced levels of androgen from both the testicles and adrenal glands. Ketoconazole is a relatively weak antiandrogen.
  • dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Finasteride blocks only 5-α-reductase type II, dutasteride also blocks type I. They are not general antiandrogens in that they don't counteract the effects or production of other androgens than DHT.

Antiandrogen withdrawal response

The term antiandrogen withdrawal response (AAWR) describes the medical course taken when cancer cells adapt to feed on the antiandrogens rather than androgen, so that treatment must be halted in order to starve those cells thriving on the antiandrogens.

See also

v • d • e
Acne-treating agents (Tretinoin
v • d • e
Norelgestromin, Urofollitropin
Antigonadotropins: antagonist: Ganirelix
v • d • e
Selective estrogen receptor modulator
 
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