Antiestrogen
Antiestrogens, also known as estrogen antagonists or estrogen blockers, are a class of drugs which prevent estrogens like estradiol from mediating their biological effects in the body. They act by blocking the estrogen receptor (ER) and/or inhibiting or suppressing estrogen production. Antiestrogens are one of three types of sex hormone antagonists, the others being antiandrogens and antiprogestogens. Antiestrogens are commonly used to stop steroid hormones, estrogen, from binding to the estrogen receptors leading to the decrease of estrogen levels. Decreased levels of estrogen can lead to complications in sexual development. Antiandrogens are sex hormone antagonists which are able to lower the production and the effects that testosterone can have on female bodies.
Antiestrogen | |
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Drug class | |
Fulvestrant, a steroidal antiestrogen and a drug used in the treatment of breast cancer. | |
Class identifiers | |
Synonyms | Estrogen antagonists; Estrogen blockers; Estradiol antagonists |
Use | Breast cancer; Infertility; Male hypogonadism; Gynecomastia; transgender men |
ATC code | L02BA |
Biological target | Estrogen receptor |
Chemical class | Steroidal; Nonsteroidal (triphenylethylene, others) |
External links | |
MeSH | D020847 |
Legal status | |
In Wikidata |