A<unk> , also known as a steroid biosynthesis<unk> , is a type of drug which inhibits one or more of the enzymes that are involved in the process of steroidogenesis, the biosynthesis of endogenous steroids and steroid hormones. They may inhibit the production of cholesterol and other sterols, sex steroids such as androgens, estrogens, and progestogens, corticosteroids such as glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, and neurosteroids. They are used in the treatment of a variety of medical conditions that depend on endogenous steroids.<unk> s are analogous in effect and use to antigonadotropins (which specifically inhibit sex steroid production), but work via a different mechanism of action; whereas antigonadotropins suppress gonadal production of sex steroids by effecting negative feedback on and thereby suppressing the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis,<unk> s directly inhibit the enzymatic biosynthesis of steroids.
Steroidogenesis inhibitor
Neurosteroidogenesis inhibitor
Orexin antagonist
Antiglucocorticoid
5α-Reductase inhibitor
Aromatase inhibitor
CYP17A1 inhibitor
Growth factor receptor inhibitor