therapeutics

Last reviewed 01/2018

Androgens are used for:

  • replacement therapy in:
    • hypogonadism
    • hypopituitarism
  • anaemia refractory to first-line treatments; androgens stimulate erythropoiesis
  • breast cancer that is oestrogen- or progestogen-receptor postive; androgens may downgrade receptor expression
  • as anabolic agents:
    • occasionally used in cancer and osteoporosis
    • often abused by 'body builders' and athletes

Anti-androgens are used in the treatment of:

  • prostate carcinoma
  • precocious puberty
  • masculinization in females