Procur general information

What is Procur used for?

Procur tablets 50mg are used to treat inoperable prostate cancer (carcinoma of the prostate), a tumour that is dependent on androgens (male hormones like testosterone) to grow.  Procur tablets 50mg are also used to reduce sex drive and sexual aggression in sex offenders.  In women with severe signs of androgenisation (overproduction of androgen), Procur tablets 50 mg are used to treat hirsutism (unwanted hair) and androgenic alopecia (hair loss) both caused by excess androgen production.  Procur 50mg can also be used, in conjunction with oestrogen supplements as part of the feminisation process for male to female transsexuals. 

How does Procur work?

Procur tablets 50mg contain cyproterone, which is an anti-androgen that blocks the biological effects of androgens, like the male hormone testosterone, on cells containing androgen receptors.  Prostate cancer is an androgen-dependent tumour, which means that it needs testosterone to grow.  Cyproterone in Procur 50mg binds to the androgen receptors on the tumour cells blocking the action of testosterone, which then cannot bind to the cells and stimulate the tumour cells to grow, thereby protecting the prostate from the effect of androgens.  Procur tablets 50mg block biological effects of androgen on other cells with andogen receptors, such as reducing the production of male hormones in the testes, which reduces aggression and increased sex drive (hypersexuality), caused by over-production of testosterone, and the effects are reversible.  Women also produce some androgen but in much smaller amounts.  However, some women produce too much testosterone and this can cause hirsutism (unwanted hair), acne and/or seborrhoea (greasy skin from too much sebum) and androgen-dependent alopecia.  Procur tablets 50mg inhibits testosterone production in these women, reducing these unwanted effects.  Blocking the effects of androgens is also a means of promoting feminisation in transgender hormone therapy for male to female transsexuals.  

What does Procur contain?

Procur tablets contain the active ingredient cyproterone acetate 50mg, which is an antiandrogen and blocks the biological effects of androgens like testosterone.  They also contain croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, lactose.

Treating prostate cancer with Procur

Procur tablets 50 mg contain the active ingredient cyproterone, which is an anti-androgen that blocks the biological effects of androgens like testosterone.  Prostate cancer (prostatic carcinoma) is an androgen-dependent tumour of the prostate gland, which means that it needs testosterone to grow.  Cyproterone in Procur tablets 50mg binds to the androgen receptors on the tumour cells blocking the action of testosterone and its metabolite dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which then cannot bind to the prostate cells and stimulate the tumour cells to grow.  Therefore, Procur tablets 50 mg protect the prostate from the effect of androgens and cause the tumour to stop growing and to shrink.  Prostatic carcinoma cells are still inhibited by Procur, even when they have spread to other parts of the body (metastasised), so that Procur tablets 50 mg can help prevent the spread of the tumour, although they cannot cure the tumour. 

Procur for feminising hormone therapy

Procur tablets 50 mg contain the active ingredient cyproterone, which is an antiandrogen that blocks the biological effects of androgens like testosterone.  The feminisation process for male to female transsexuals involves achieving female characteristics as well as losing male attributes.  Cyproterone works by reducing the production of male hormones in the testes and blocking the action of testosterone, like inducing body hair and beard growth so that Procur 50 mg can be used as the anti-androgen component of feminising hormone therapy. 

Procur for androgenisation in women

Procur tablets 50mg contain the active ingredient cyproterone, which is an antiandrogen that blocks the biological effects of androgens like testosterone.  Although testosterone is known as the male sex hormone, women also produce some androgen but in much smaller amounts.  However, some women produce too much testosterone and this can cause hirsutism (unwanted hair), acne and/or seborrhoea (greasy skin from too much sebum) and androgen-dependent alopecia.  Procur tablets 50mg inhibits testosterone production in these women, reducing these unwanted effects. 

What are the side effects of Procur?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Procur tablets 50mg in men include breast tenderness, breast pain (gynaecomastia) and inhibition of sperm production, leading to temporary infertility, decreased libido and erectile dysfunction.  In women ovulation is inhibited and there may be some breast discomfort.  Other side effects include: tiredness and diminished vitality, temporary inner restlessness or depressive moods, and changes in body weight.

When should Procur not be used?

You should not use Procur tablets 50mg if you:

• are allergic to cyproterone or any ingredients in Procur
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have liver disease, jaundice or a history of liver tumours
• severe chronic depression
• have deep venous thrombosis, thromboembolic disorders or cerebral vascular accident
• are a diabetic taking antidiabetics or insulin, without discussion with your doctor, as Procur may affect your glucose tolerance

How should Procur be taken?

You should take your Procur tablets 50mg swallowed whole and after a meal, once or twice a day, depending on what you are being treated for and the recommendations of your doctor.  You should continue to take your Procur tablets 50mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for several days or weeks in men.  Women should take 1 or 2 tablets a day at the same time each day, starting on day 1 of their menstrual cycle and for the first 21 days of the cycle, followed by 7 tablet-free days, to allow withdrawal bleeding to occur. 

How long should you take Procur?

You should take your Procur tablets 50 mg for as long as your doctor recommends, which may be a few days or several weeks in men, depending on what you are being treated for.  In women you will usually take your Procur 50 mg tablets for the first 21 days of the menstrual cycle, followed by 7 tablet-free days, to allow withdrawal bleeding to occur.

Missed dose of Procur

If you miss a dose of Procur tablets 50 mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Procur be stored?

You should store your Procur tablets 50 mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.