Anyone Taking Androcur?

Margoag · 12-30-2006, 02:48 PM

Hi, ladies:

I am curious to know if anyone at this site currently is taking Androcur (cyproterone acetate) and having success with it. If so, can you please share your experience and dosing schedule?

I am planning to start taking it in a few weeks -- 50 mg. for the first 10 days of my cycle. Since I live in the States, it's been a struggle to find much feedback on this medication. I am planning to take it because I've been suffering from hair loss, acne, and excess body hair for the last two years and my testosterone level now is officially out of range. Several doctors believe I have a "mild" case of PCOS. I am allergic to spironolactone, so this med. is my last resort on the anti-androgen front. Since it is not available in the U.S., I am having to order it from Canada...

Any feedback would be much appreciated. Many thanks!--

Margo

Julius · 12-31-2006, 09:46 AM

Hi Margo,

I'm currently taking Androcur and have been doing so for about 8-9 months now. I'm on 25 mg for the first 10 days of my cycle. I was on Spiro previously but my potassium levels started getting too high so as a precaution, they took me off of it.

To be perfectly honest, the first month on it was really rough. I got really depressed and could hardly get out of bed. I would cry at the drop of a hat and was lethargic and just not doing well. I guess that was the drug's way of introducing itself to me.

The depression was once but severe. Just thought I'd warn you about that. Since then, I haven't had any negative side effects. I am seeing quite a reduction in my excess hair. There's still some, but not nearly as much as before. It's not as dense anymore and it seems like it takes longer for the existing hair to regrow.

Hmm, what else can I tell you? My acne issues thankfully settled down a few years ago, but I haven't had any major outbreaks while on Androcur. I might get one small pimple during AF but it's not cystic and will go away within a day or two.

Feel free to ask more or let me know if you're having any concerns. I couldn't find many people who were taking this when I started and it was a little scary. (Especially since when you google it, it comes back with info about use for prostate cancer treatments and other non-PCOS related things!)

Margoag · 01-05-2007, 12:37 AM

Hi, Julius:

Many thanks for your response to my post! I'm glad to hear that you seem to have gotten past the negative side effects. You've pretty much convinced me that I need to start off at 25 mg and see how I do... I already am somewhat depressed about my hairloss and other PCOS-like symptoms, so am concerned about what the androcur might do to aggravate this... Then again, some women have reported that they believe it helped alleviate their depression -- go figure!

My other concern is about the potential weight gain. Have you experienced any weight gain since starting androcur? Also, I'm not sure whether you've been having any hairloss issues, but if so, have you seen any improvement since starting the med?

Again, thanks so much for the helpful info -- it's much appreciated!

Margo

Julius · 01-05-2007, 09:04 AM

No problem, Margo! I hope the depression issue won't affect you. I would definitely still start at 25 mg and see how it goes. If no nasty side effects come on, then maybe upping the dose later would be good. Maybe you'll be one of those women who has nothing but a good experience. Funny how that happens with medications - reinforces the idea that we're all completely different!

As for weight gain, no, I haven't gained any while on Androcur. I'm having a hard time losing weight and my gyno said that the Androcur might be making it that much more difficult, too. But I have lost 9.2 lbs in three months now, so while it's slow loss, I'm actually finally making progress.

I haven't had any issues with hair loss (yet - knock on wood) so I unfortunately can't answer that. I hope it will be a good solution for that issue, too.

Hmm, what else. My period has been VERY light lately - really not much more than spotting most months - and my doctor has said this could be due to Androcur and/or my body reaching its peak with birth control pills. Again, who knows if you'll have the same issue, but if you do, it's normal.

Hope this helps. Like I said, feel free to ask more questions. I'm not an expert but at least I've got personal experience!

Katrinase · 02-03-2007, 06:04 PM

Hi, have been taking androcur now for a few years, the best bit for me, was the bust increase and the facial hair loss. I don't take mine all the time because it gives me migraines, I am on 100mg everyday for 10 days of my cycle and microgyn BCP for the rest, my cycle is not 21 days so i wait 2 weeks then start my cycle again. It does cause a lack of libido, so if you have got a partner let them know your sex drive will go downhill for a while. With my cyroterone i normally take it for 8 months give my body a rest for a few months then go back to it. (When everything starts sprouting again :-) ), so I wish you both a lot of luck. K

gemchinchilla · 02-08-2007, 07:22 AM

Hi, I have been taking Androcur with great success for the past 15 years. I started with 100mg to reduce the dark excess hair on my face and body. It did reduce it by about half and also got rid of the dark shades on my face. After a few years I reduced it to 50 mg and have over the years been able to reduce it down to 25mg (10 days of the month). I decided to give my body a break and stopped taking it mid last year and was fine for a few months. However then it all came back and I've had to go back on it and am currently taking 50mg. The only side effect I've found is fatigue, I have much less energy and find it hard to work full time. We're all different and hopefully it won't have this affect on you. Good luck!!

Merry · 01-26-2008, 12:46 AM

Hi all..

I'm androcur users too for 3 months. During treatment with androcure, i'm not get my cycle(3months). Why its happend to me? is that normal? n after treatment with androcure, can i pregnant?? my androgen is very high over than 200ng/dl. help me..

pina81 · 02-13-2008, 05:05 AM

Hi, i am 26 year old female from sydney, diagnosed with pcos at 17.

I have been on an off various meds androcur, diane, metformin.

I have also found the cheap supermarket skincare products to make my skin worse - even neutrogena and trying to use natural and organic stuff.

My acne has flared up really badly in the past 2 months with papules, red deep acne. Doctor said i go back on androcur, which i have been for a month now and really noticed the tiredness but skin hasnt gotten any better yet. Does anyone know how long it should take to start to work? Also i was given a 50mg tab and told to cut it into quarters and take 1 every 3rd day. I wonder what strength other ppl are on and if maybe i should try half a tab every 2nd day? ...........................i get so annoyed a doctors not knowing more about this condition!!!!!!!!!

azrazain · 04-20-2008, 10:35 AM

hi.. im quite new to PCOS. i dont know if im being prescribed the right medications.. im living in Dubai, and i am not too happy with my doc. she doesnt expain much.. my testosterone level is about 4.0... so she told me i cant have babies until i bring the level down. so she prescribed me diane-35.. which caused me to continuously bleed/spot... and then she changed my meds to a combination of androcur 50 mg for 21 days with progynova 2mg.. I HAVE NO clue what this is suppose to do. and my breasts are reallly hurting and have increased in size ever since. ANYONE OUT THERE with info about this medication and if this is the right way to proceed. please let me know. should i switch docs?

caymangirl · 06-07-2008, 03:56 PM

I was just giving Andocur to use for my acne today! I am a little confuse though should I take it before my cycle begins or take it during my cycle or after my cycle for ten days...I was so tired this morning when the doctor was telling me the instructions. I have only taken half of the pill already so its not too late to stop if I am doing it wrong..

Cez · 07-10-2008, 07:25 PM

Hi, I am a 27 yr old Female from Sydney. I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 19. I have been taking the combination of Androcur and Diane on and off for a few years. I take 50mg of Androcur for first 10 days of my cycle.

I have just started taking it again and I am feeling all the side effects - nausea,
breast enlargement and tenderness, weight gain and diarrhoea. Also noticed a reduction in libido. I feel really bloated while on Androcur/Diane and find it hard to shed the weight. Also get really moody. Previously it has usually taken 2-3 months to really kick in but the weight and breast tenderness don't subside.

And I'm a sugar addict!

Cez · 07-28-2008, 11:32 PM

Just thought I'd give you all an update after month two of taking the combination of Androcur 50mg / Diane 35mg.

The inital side effects have started to subside and my skin has cleared up dramatically. My hair less oily and not falling out as much. I am still struggling to maintain my current weight though and often still feel bloated.

I have also started feeling quite depressed and teary during the past fortnight and am experiencing irratic mood swings.

Nausea, breast tenderness & diarrhoea have all gone away. However, libido is still reduced.