High-dose ketoconazole therapy in prostatic cancer. A pilot study.

There may be contraindications to oestrogen therapy for prostatic carcinoma, and also patient objections to orchidectomy as a form of therapy. Ketoconazole, a systemic antifungal drug, was evaluated in a dosage of 200 mg 8-hourly given orally as an alternative method of lowering serum testosterone levels. Nineteen patients were studied; 1 was withdrawn because of nausea and vomiting. Only 6 patients (33,3%) had serum testosterone levels in the castrate range after 7 days. It seems that higher doses may be needed to keep testosterone levels consistently low.