Concerns about Androcur

[Liv_J]

Hi there. In France where I live there have been some health scares about Ancrocur, saying apparently it seems to cause too often benign growths in the brain :-(  I was planning on starting HRT but didn't yet, but this was one of the things I was supposed to take. I heard that one option is to replace it with pure progesterone? But one trans friend says she tried changing to that but she could tell that it didn't work as well. Any thoughts on this? I guess it's also a question of dose, ie. don't use a higher one than you need, plus if I get an operation later than I might not need it at all?

[Ellement_of_Freedom]

It is true you won't need an anti androgen like Androcur once you have had an Orchiectomy or SRS. I have been on Androcur for over 2 years with little problem. My doctor agreed to reduce my initial dose as it had been making me rather lethargic. Since then it's been fine. Most reports of meningiomas have been in those taking Androcur for long periods of time. I think in my case and anyone else who will be on it for less than 5 years in the lead-up to SRS it should be fine. I'm not a medical professional and that's my unqualified opinion. Another option I would consider is switching to Progesterone once the Androcur has done it's job well enough.

[Liv_J]

OK thanks that's reassuring :-)

[ConfusedSarah]

I have been androcur for some time now with Estrogen. My current dose of androcur is so small you wouldn't why I bother taking it. I am only taking once a week at a fraction of the pill. I have been gradually reducing it. My testosterone levels are neligible for over a year and my doctor is trying to get just normal female levels of testosterone by reducing the dose futher. It is very powerful. You should consider reducing doses periodical to see how low you can go. The less of any drug has to be a good thing.

[PurplePelican]

It is true you won't need an anti androgen like Androcur once you have had an Orchiectomy or SRS. I have been on Androcur for over 2 years with little problem. My doctor agreed to reduce my initial dose as it had been making me rather lethargic. Since then it's been fine. Most reports of meningiomas have been in those taking Androcur for long periods of time. I think in my case and anyone else who will be on it for less than 5 years in the lead-up to SRS it should be fine. I'm not a medical professional and that's my unqualified opinion. Another option I would consider is switching to Progesterone once the Androcur has done it's job well enough.

4 years was all I was on it for, I have a meningioma that my oncologist was more than happy to point the finger at Androcur for. The study suggests a 7x increase in risk after 6 months use and it just gets worse from there. I also loved the 'rare' side effect that made me randomly suicidal with no apparent reason..

I gave Androcur up as a bad joke about 2 years ago and have been on an estradiol-only protocol since then. My T level hovers at the low to medium end of the female range.

[Ellement_of_Freedom]

Everyone has different genetics than determine their reaction to any given drug. I think we should all judge for ourselves, as with a lot of things re: transition it's a YMMV situation. The meningioma thing does scare me I have to admit, despite the majority being benign. Today I will take my last Androcur ever as I pause HRT for my SRS next week!