Androgen receptor agonist
- ↑ libido, muscle mass and bone density
- Negative feedback suppresses gonadotropins → ↓ spermatogenesis
- Stimulates erythropoiesis → polycythemia risk
- Sleep apnea
Drugs with this mechanism (6)
- Danazol — Weak androgen suppressing gonadotropins; used for endometriosis and hereditary angioedema.
- Levonorgestrel — Progestin used in emergency contraception and hormonal IUDs.
- Norethindrone — A common progestin in contraceptives and hormone therapy.
- Norgestrel — Racemic progestin; only the levonorgestrel enantiomer is active. First OTC oral contraceptive.
- Testosterone — Principal androgen for hypogonadism; controlled because of anabolic misuse.
- Testosterone cypionate — Depot androgen for hypogonadism; erythrocytosis and infertility can end treatment.
Self-check
- How does androgen agonism affect spermatogenesis through feedback?
Suppresses it. - What blood-count risk follows androgen-stimulated erythropoiesis?
Polycythemia.
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