Nonsteroidal antiandrogen
Nonsteroidal Antiandrogen
Nonsteroidal antiandrogen (pronunciation: non-stair-oy-dal an-tee-an-dro-jen) is a type of medication used primarily in the treatment of prostate cancer.
Etymology
The term "nonsteroidal antiandrogen" is derived from its function and structure. "Nonsteroidal" refers to the fact that these drugs do not have a steroid structure, and "antiandrogen" refers to their function of blocking the effects of androgens, which are male sex hormones.
Function
Nonsteroidal antiandrogens work by blocking the effects of androgens, such as testosterone, on the body. This is achieved by preventing these hormones from binding to their receptors in the body, thereby inhibiting their effects. This can slow the growth of prostate cancer cells, which often rely on androgens to grow.
Examples
Examples of nonsteroidal antiandrogens include flutamide, bicalutamide, and nilutamide. These medications are often used in combination with other treatments, such as surgery or radiation therapy, to treat prostate cancer.
Side Effects
Common side effects of nonsteroidal antiandrogens can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue. More serious side effects can include liver damage and lung disease.
Related Terms
Related terms include androgen deprivation therapy, which is a broader category of treatments that aim to reduce the levels of androgens in the body, and cyproterone acetate, which is a steroidal antiandrogen.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Nonsteroidal antiandrogen
- Wikipedia's article - Nonsteroidal antiandrogen
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