Low-dose flutamide (125 mg/day) as maintenance therapy in the treatment of hirsutism.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a low dose of flutamide (125 mg/day) in maintaining the clinical results already obtained using a higher dose (250 mg/day), in women suffering from hirsutism.


METHODS
Forty-three women suffering from hirsutism of varying origin received 250 mg/day of flutamide as an initial treatment for 12 months and, subsequently, 125 mg/day of flutamide for an additional 12 months as a maintenance treatment. Hirsutism was evaluated by the Ferriman-Gallwey score, and hair diameter and hair growth rate were determined by a special image analysis processor. Biochemical, clinical and hormonal parameters were evaluated in basal conditions and every 2-6 months.


RESULTS
The significant decrease in the hirsutism score, hair diameter and hair growth rate during the initial treatment period was confirmed at the end of the maintenance treatment period. Androgen levels decreased up to the end of the initial treatment period and partially decreased during the maintenance treatment. During the initial treatment period, 4 subjects showed an increase of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase and dropped out. During the maintenance treatment period, no side effects or complications were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Satisfactory management of hirsutism with flutamide seems to be represented by an initial treatment period using 250 mg/day to achieve satisfactory results, followed by a long maintenance treatment period using 125 mg/day.
Venturoli
S
S
Reproductive Medicine Unit, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Bologna, Italy. dirvent@med.unibo.it
Paradisi
R
R
Bagnoli
A
A
Colombo
F M
FM
Ravaioli
B
B
Vianello
F
F
Mancini
F
F
Gualerzi
B
B
Porcu
E
E
Seracchioli
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005485:Flutamide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D006728:Hormones; D005485:Flutamide; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase