The medication generically called cyproterone acetate may be prescribed to treat men who suffer from prostate cancer. The drug functions by preventing the actions of testosterone, a male hormone. Limiting the production of testosterone can inhibit the growth of the cancer and kill it. The physician may administer this medicine by intramuscular injection, or the man may take it as a pill. Women do not need this drug because they do not have prostate glands. The Mayo Clinic reports no serious common side effects of cyproterone acetate.
Impotence
Without the normal level of testosterone in the man's body, he may be unable to either get an erection of the penis or maintain it once he has one. Impotence, while frustrating to many men, is reported as a nonserious, common side effect of cyproterone acetate. Impotence should end without medical attention in most cases. The patient should talk with his doctor about it, however, if it continues beyond a few days after starting to take the medication.
Changes in Libido
Taking cyproterone acetate, whether orally or via injection, may cause a man to have significantly less interest in sexual intercourse than he normally has. Even if he can participate in sexual endeavors, he may find his ability has decreased. He may experience these common, nonserious side effects for a few days or a week, but then they should pass as his body acclimates to the drug, Drugs.com says. If they do not, he should speak with his doctor about them. While this may occur in some men taking the drug, others, the Mayo Clinic reports, may find their libidos increased rather than reduced. This also may occur during the first part of treatment with cyproterone acetate. The man may have more interest in sexual intercourse than he normally does. The medication also may increase his ability to perform sexually.
Breast Problems
When he takes cyproterone acetate, a man may find that his breasts swell. This is an unusual problem for a man, but it is caused by the reduction of testosterone in his body. In most cases, men will find this problem goes away on its own after a few days of treatment with cyproterone acetate.
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