Testosterone is a hormone or androgen that is found naturally in the human body. Elevated levels of testosterone have the potential to cause unwanted or harmful effects. In men, such elevations sometimes cause hypersexuality, a psychological desire for sexual contact that is never satiated. Additionally, excess levels of testosterone increase the growth rate of cancerous cells in the prostate. Doctors in the United Kingdom and Canada prescribe the drug Androcur to lower testosterone levels in the body in order to treat both hypersexuality and slow the spread of prostate cancer. Despite its effectiveness, Androcur is not for everyone as it presents several risks for side effects and complications in some patients.
Common Side Effects
The most common side effects of Androcur involve sexual function and the reproductive system. Men taking the drug frequently report a marked decrease in sexual desire, impotence and decreased ejaculation. Androcur use also lowers the sperm count in many men. Another common side effect of Androcur in men is swelling of the breasts, pain in the chest and the possibility of milk production or lactation.
Other Side Effects
Androcur also has the potential to cause a number of other troublesome or annoying, but not dangerous, side effects. Some men experience gastrointestinal side effects from the drug, such as weight gain, diarrhea and frequent defecation. Neurological and psychiatric effects of Androcur include depression, dizziness, lack of coordination, headache and hallucinations. Androcur use sometimes results in effects to the skin, including temporary hair loss, lightening of hair color, sweating, dryness, sensitivity to the sun, redness and rashes. Other possible side effects of the drug include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath and coldness.
Drug Interactions
There are some medications that produce unwanted side effects when used in conjunction with Androcur. When used with ethinyl estradiol, a common estrogen supplement, there is an increased risk for the development of blood clots. Because such clots pose a danger for stroke, doctors rarely combine the use of Androcur with ethinyl estradiol. Additionally, you should not take any other androgen or testosterone supplements while taking Androcur, as this increases the risk for side effects from the drug.
Risks
In addition to minor side effects and the risk of interactions, Androcur has the potential to cause serious medical complications. In some cases, Androcur causes damage to the liver or kidneys, resulting in decreased urine production, bloody stools or urine and yellowing of your skin or eyes. Left untreated, this damage can result in kidney or liver failure. Use of Androcur also increases your risk of having a stroke. While taking Androcur, if you experience any signs of stroke, such as sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, sudden loss of coordination or slurred speech, you should seek emergency medical attention. Additionally, other rare side effects of Adrocur are seizures and sudden, temporary blindness.
Considerations
Due to its possible side effects, doctors typically do not prescribe Androcur for patients with liver or kidney disease or a history of blood clots and stroke. Drinking alcohol while taking Androcur may decrease the effectiveness of the drug, causing a need for you to take a higher dosage and exposing you to a greater chance for serious side effects. If you have diabetes, you will need to monitor your blood sugar closely while taking Androcur as the drug has the potential to cause spikes in glucose levels. Since it sometimes causes tiredness, you should not operate a motor vehicle or heavy machinery until you know how Androcur effects you.
