Preparation and clinical evaluation of Finastride gel in the treatment of idiopathic Hirsutism

Abstract

Objective:

Hirsutism is the presence of excess terminal hairs in females in a male-like pattern. The most accepted hypothesis for the development of hirsutism is increased 5α-reductase activity in hair follicles of hirsute women. Finasteride partially blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone through inhibition of 5α-reductase in hair follicles. This study was designed to determine the efficacy of finasteride gel 0.25% in management of idiopathic hirsutism and treatment of hirsutism with topical finasteride to lessen the side-effects.

Methods:

Women after puberty that have idiopathic hirsutism criteria are divided randomly in two groups; treatment and control. The number of patients in each group is 15 and received finasteride and placebo gel once a day on their skins. The patients were visited every month by a dermatologist and the amount of response to the treatment and the patient satisfaction was recorded. Ferriman–Gallwey score of the treated area was determined.

Results:

After 6-months, mean thickness hairs in treating group were decreased from 102.00 ± 9.58 µm to 86.4 ± 11.4 µm (p < 0.05), this difference was statistically significant. Gel application did not indicate any type of side-effects.

Limitations:

Inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Conclusion:

Finasteride partially blocks 5α-reductase. Because of the good absorption through the skin and good solubility of this medicine, the prepared gel formulation applied on the hirsutism area showed a significant decrease in hair growth locally, so finasteride gel is an efficient and harmless therapy in patients with idiopathic hirsutism.

Keywords: :

• Finastride
• Idiopathic hirsutism
• Testosterone

Transparency

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the Vice Chancellor for Research and Technology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences for financial support. This work resulted from pharm D thesis of Sahahr Masoud in Faculty of Pharmacy, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.