Anti-Androgens

What is an anti-androgen?

Anti-androgens are drugs that counteract or block the biological effects of the male hormone testosterone or its active metabolite DHT on a wide range of tissues where they normally have biological activity.  They are usually steroidal and fat soluble and pass through the cell membrane to interact with the androgen steroid receptors inside the cell and compete with testosterone or DHT for these receptors.  This blocks expression of genes involved in the development and maintenance of male characteristics. 

Products for blocking the action of androgens

• Dutasteride and Finasteride are 5α-reductase inhibitors and work by inhibiting the action of the enzyme type II 5α-reductase, which converts the male hormone testosterone to DHT
• Flutamide is a non-steroidal anti-androgen that blocks the action of androgens by binding to same receptor but has no steroid effects
• Bicalutamide is a non-steroidal anti-androgen
• Cyproterone is a steroidal anti-androgen
• Spironolactone is a synthetic steroid which is primarily a diuretic but has anti-androgenic activity as a side effect and works by by decreasing androgen production