| oestrogen antagonist | <pharmacology> A drug or compound which inhibit or antagonise the action or biosynthesis of oestrogen. Tamoxifen also has agonist or stimulatory actions as well as blocking effects. There are also selective oestrogen-receptor modulators (SERMs). For example, raloxifene (trade name Evista) is classified as a SERM because it prevents bone loss (like oestrogen) and lowers serum cholesterol (like oestrogen) but (unlike oestrogen) does not stimulate the endometrial lining of the uterus. (12 May 2002) |
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| enzyme antagonist | An antimetabolite or inhibitor of enzyme action. (05 Mar 2000) |
| folate antagonist | <pharmacology> One of a group of substances which blocks the formation of nucleotides that require the presence of folate (one of the B vitamins) before they can be made. The substance does this by blocking key steps in the reaction sequence. These substances are often used to treat cancer because fast-growing cancerous cells usually need to use the blocked reactions more than normal cells. (09 Oct 1997) |
| folic acid antagonist | <pharmacology> A chemical which inhibits a cells capacity to use folic acid and so prevent cell division, for example methotrexate. See: chemotherapy. (12 Nov 1997) |