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What
are the potential side effects of cyproterone acetate
Cyproterone acetate has a variety of potential side effects although
most women tolerate daily use very well.
Minor common side effects include: Headache. Lessened ability to
concentrate. Mental depression. Tiredness. Nausea. Diarrhea. Constipation.
Shortness of breath on exertion. Edema (swelling of hands, feet
or lower legs). Dry skin.
Other side effects occasionally reported are: Impotence and decreased
libido. Gynecomastia (breast swelling and tenderness). Galactorrhea
(discharge from the nipple). Inhibition of spermatogenesis (for
men using it to treat prostate cancer). Benign nodular hyperplasia
of the breast (benign breast lumps).
Major, but rare side effects include: Blood clotting disorders,
(thromboembolism - very rare). Hypochromic anemia (very rare). Elevated
prolactin level. Pituitary size increase. Liver dysfunction or tumors.
Acute hepatitis. Hypercalcemia (increased serum calcium levels).
Impaired carbohydrate metabolism.
The mutagenic and carcinogenic properties of cyproterone acetate
used for a prolonged time are not known. Adverse interactions with
estradiol and alcohol have been reported.
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