Cyproterone - Oral

Cyproterone is used on its own or together with other medicines to treat cancer of the prostate gland.

This medicine is used for the long-term treatment of prostate cancer when other medicines or surgery are not suitable, and to prevent the worsening of prostate cancer when starting other therapy.

Cyproterone is also used to help control or reduce abnormally increased sexual urges and behaviours in men.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.

Take Cyproterone exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.

Take it together with food or immediately after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.

The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on your condition and your response to the medication.

Cyproterone must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.

Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• current or history of meningioma (a tumour of the tissue layer covering the brain and spinal cord)
• any other type of cancer
• wasting diseases (group of diseases marked by progressive weight loss and weakness)
• current or history of thromboembolism (blockage of a blood vessel due to a blood clot)
• severe long-term depression
• severe diabetes that causes changes in blood vessels
• sickle-cell anaemia (a blood disorder that changes the shape of red blood cells from round flexible discs into stiff and sticky sickle or crescent moon cells which can slow or block blood flow)
• liver problems

as Cyproterone may not be suitable for you.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• diabetes
• lung disease

Cyproterone is not indicated to be taken by women.

Notify your doctor if you consume large amounts of alcohol or if you are a frequent drinker.

Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?

Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.

• Routine tests (e.g. liver function, complete blood count, electrolyte levels, blood sugar levels) may be done before and while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
• Regular monitoring of signs and symptoms of depression, liver problems, and meningioma may also be needed.

Cyproterone may cause tiredness and weakness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.

Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nausea, vomiting, weight gain, restlessness, depressive mood, decreased sex drive, rash, dry skin, sweating, hot flushes, and temporary hair loss.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
• shortness of breath, chest pain, cough which may contain blood, pain, swelling and tenderness in your leg accompanied by redness and warmth
• pass out bloody or black as tar stools and vomiting blood or ground coffee-like material
• changes in vision, hearing loss, ringing in the ears, memory loss, fits or seizures, weakness in the arms or legs
• swelling or enlargement of the male breasts

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole, clotrimazole
• cholesterol-lowering medicines
• ritonavir (medicine for HIV infection)
• rifampicin (medicine to treat TB [lung infection known as tuberculosis])
• phenytoin (medicine for epilepsy [fits or seizures])
• St. John's wort (herbal medicine)

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Cyproterone.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol. Consuming large amount of alcohol is very damaging to the liver.

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Protect from light.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.

As Cyproterone is a cancer medicine, always return any unused or expired tablets to the clinic, hospital, or pharmacy for disposal. Do not throw it away in the household waste.