Fosfestrol

Fosfestrol is used as a form of high-dose estrogen therapy in the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer. Fosfestrol sodium is given at a dosage of 600 to 1200 mg/day by slow intravenous infusion over a period of 1 hour for a treatment duration of 5 to 10 days in men with prostate cancer. ==Side effects==

Side effects of fosfestrol include nausea and vomiting in 80% of patients (with 1 in 25 cases, or 4%, resulting in death), cardiovascular complications (18% with fosfestrol plus adriamycin relative to 2% with adriamycin alone) such as thrombosis (2 in 25 cases, or 8%), edema (44% requiring diuretic therapy), and skin reactions such as burning, itching, or pain in the genital area (40%). In addition, weight gain, feminization, and gynecomastia may occur. ==Pharmacology==

Pharmacodynamics (RIA). It is inactive itself and acts as a prodrug of diethylstilbestrol. Similarly to diethylstilbestrol, fosfestrol has powerful antigonadotropic effects and strongly suppresses testosterone levels in men. It decreases testosterone levels into the castrate range within 12 hours of the initiation of therapy. ==Chemistry==

Fosfestrol is a synthetic nonsteroidal estrogen of the stilbestrol group. ==History==

Fosfestrol was first patented in 1941 and was mentioned in the literature by Huggins. Conjugated estrogens and diethylstilbestrol sulfate, which are water-soluble estrogens, were first reported to be effective in the treatment of prostate cancer via intravenous administration in 1952. ==Society and culture==

Generic names Fosfestrol is the generic name of the drug and its , , and , while diethylstilbestrol diphosphate is its and fosfestrolo is its . It is also known as stilbestrol diphosphate. Fosfestrol sodium is its and . Brand names Brand names of fosfestrol include Cytonal, Difostilben, Honovan, Honvan, Honvol, Honvon, Fosfostilben, Fostrolin, ST 52, Stilbetin, Stilbol, Stilbostatin, Stilphostrol, and Vagestrol, among others. Availability Fosfestrol has been marketed widely throughout the world, including in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and South Africa, among other areas of the world. However, today, it appears to remain available only in a few countries, including Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Oman, and Tunisia. == See also ==