Comparison of finasteride and flutamide in the treatment of idiopathic hirsutism.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness of finasteride and flutamide in the treatment of idiopathic hirsutism.


METHODS
Randomized study.


METHODS
Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, University of Brescia, Italy.


METHODS
Forty-six women with idiopathic hirsutism were selected.


METHODS
Patients were assigned randomly to receive 5 mg of finasteride once daily or 250 mg of flutamide twice daily for 12 consecutive months.


METHODS
Hirsutism was evaluated at 6 and 12 months of therapy by measuring the Ferriman-Gallwey score and the terminal-hair diameters (microm) taken from different body areas. Blood samples were taken and side effects were monitored during the treatment.


RESULTS
Both finasteride and flutamide induced a statistically significant decrease in hirsutism scores and hair diameters at the end of 12 months. Finasteride reduced the Ferriman-Gallwey score by 20.5% at 6 months and by 34.2% at 12 months, and hair diameter by 18.9%-23.6% at 6 months and by 29.6%-37.9% at 12 months. Flutamide reduced the Ferriman-Gallwey score by 26.6% at 6 months and by 50.9% at 12 months, and hair diameter by 22.3%-28.2% at 6 months and by 47.7%-56.5% at 12 months. Flutamide did not induce hormonal variations, whereas finasteride increased T levels by 60% and decreased 3alpha-androstanediol glucuronide by 69.5% at 12 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Both drugs were effective in the treatment of idiopathic hirsutism, but flutamide was more effective than finasteride.
Falsetti
L
L
Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, University of Brescia, Italy.
Gambera
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D018120:Finasteride / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005485:Flutamide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006197:Hair / Q000187:drug effects; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol; C028895:androstane-3,17-diol glucuronide; D013739:Testosterone; D018120:Finasteride; D005485:Flutamide