Androcur or spiro?

[louise000]

What are the relative merits or disadvantages of androcur versus spiro as antiandrogens? I know androcur is not approved for use in the U.S. and was wondering why. Any advice would be welcome.

[taru]

To make a very short summary:

Spiro
* cheap
* blocks T at receptor level
* relatively few side-effects, beware of potassium

Androcur
* more expensive
* stops production of T (estro can also do that), blocks T at receptor level and has some weak progestogenic effects
* a much more wide side-effect profile (e.g. liver problems, prolactine, depression etc)

I think it makes sense to use the one in common use in the area you are located - thus you won't be alone if you get problems. Androcur is stronger but many people are fine on spiro and it has less dangers involved.

Read the wikipedia pages on them and the links there if you want more complete medical information.

[louise000]

Thanks for that information Taru. I wasn't aware that estrogen actually blocked testosterone, I assumed it needed the interaction with an anti-androgen to do that. Maybe if I'm on a relatively low dose of estrogen it would still need an anti-androgen to block the t. effectively. As I'm a bit scared of side effects I may ask for spiro rather than androcur, despite the fact that the latter seems to be favoured in this country.

[taru]

A low dose of estrogen is probably not enough to stop the production of T. Some inviduals are on a high dose of estro only and no anti-andro, but in my opinion having an anti-andro is better pre-op.

If you have regular blood work done (liver, prolactine, ...) and don't have issues with depression androcur is probably ok. Just talk with your doctor and see what they think.

[Ell]

I've been on spiro for about 6 weeks and i like it. i think it really complements the effects of the estro and it seems to make my nipples hard. it's supposed to have some diuretic effects, but i haven't been bothered by that. also, i have heard it can really drop your blood pressure, which i have noticed, especially if i stand up too fast. it's harder to girl-dance like a maniac at the clubs when you're on spiro. it feels like you're going to fall down in a dead faint sometimes.

i try to take it very carefully, twice a day, e.g., 7 am and 7 pm, exactly 12 hours apart. this keeps a steady dosage in your blood stream, and helps prevent getting too much in your system at one time.

[louise000]

I've been on spiro for about 6 weeks and i like it. i think it really complements the effects of the estro and it seems to make my nipples hard. it's supposed to have some diuretic effects, but i haven't been bothered by that. also, i have heard it can really drop your blood pressure, which i have noticed, especially if i stand up too fast. it's harder to girl-dance like a maniac at the clubs when you're on spiro. it feels like you're going to fall down in a dead faint sometimes.

i try to take it very carefully, twice a day, e.g., 7 am and 7 pm, exactly 12 hours apart. this keeps a steady dosage in your blood stream, and helps prevent getting too much in your system at one time.

The lowering of blood pressure could be an issue for me as I have a minor heart rhythm problem which is corrected by a pacemaker. Although I'm a bit old for clubbing,  my job involves me in some moderately heavy exercise and I would hate to faint on the job! I know it's something I need to talk about to the doctor, but I wanted to get the perspective from people already on the anti-androgens so I can talk to him about it with some authority.
By the way were you on estro before starting spiro, or did you start both together?
Thank you, Louise.

[Berliegh]

To make a very short summary:

Spiro
* cheap
* blocks T at receptor level
* relatively few side-effects, beware of potassium

Androcur
* more expensive
* stops production of T (estro can also do that), blocks T at receptor level and has some weak progestogenic effects
* a much more wide side-effect profile (e.g. liver problems, prolactine, depression etc)

I think it makes sense to use the one in common use in the area you are located - thus you won't be alone if you get problems. Androcur is stronger but many people are fine on spiro and it has less dangers involved.

Read the wikipedia pages on them and the links there if you want more complete medical information.

I've only ever tried Androcur and I've been on it for about 5 or 6 years. In the U.K Spiro isn't available very easily so I've not been able to try it......

[Ell]

The lowering of blood pressure could be an issue for me as I have a minor heart rhythm problem which is corrected by a pacemaker. Although I'm a bit old for clubbing,  my job involves me in some moderately heavy exercise and I would hate to faint on the job! I know it's something I need to talk about to the doctor, but I wanted to get the perspective from people already on the anti-androgens so I can talk to him about it with some authority.
By the way were you on estro before starting spiro, or did you start both together?
Thank you, Louise.

i started estrogen and spiro at the same time.

-ell