What is Pyrilutamide, and How Does it Help with Androgenic Alopecia or Hair Loss Caused by DHT?

Androgenic alopecia, also known as male or female pattern baldness, is the most common form of hair loss among both men and women. Its main culprit is a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), derived from testosterone through the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. DHT binds to androgen receptors found in hair follicles, particularly in the scalp regions predisposed to thinning. Over time, this binding causes miniaturization—shrinking of the hair follicles—leading to thinner, shorter hair until growth stops completely.

Existing treatments like finasteride and minoxidil have been the standard for decades. Finasteride reduces the production of DHT throughout the body, while minoxidil enhances blood flow to hair follicles. However, systemic DHT inhibition with finasteride has been associated with hormonal side effects in some individuals, including reduced libido and mood changes. This limitation has encouraged research into topical alternatives that act locally on the scalp. Pyrilutamide (KX-826) is one such emerging compound that has attracted attention for its targeted mechanism.

Pyrilutamide is a non-steroidal topical antiandrogen developed by Kintor Pharmaceutical. Its mechanism differs fundamentally from drugs like finasteride. Rather than reducing DHT levels in the bloodstream, pyrilutamide blocks DHT from attaching to androgen receptors directly in the hair follicle. This receptor blockade means that even if DHT levels remain unchanged, its biological effects on the scalp can be diminished. The concept is promising because it potentially offers localized efficacy with fewer systemic side effects.

Understanding How Pyrilutamide Works

Androgen receptors are proteins within hair follicle cells that interact with androgens—hormones like testosterone and DHT. When DHT binds to these receptors, it activates certain genes that shorten the hair growth cycle, resulting in thinner and weaker hair over time. Pyrilutamide acts as an antagonist, meaning it competes with DHT for access to these receptors and blocks its ability to trigger hair follicle shrinkage. This selective action on the scalp represents a conceptual advantage. By staying localized, pyrilutamide is expected to minimize systemic hormonal interference, which has been a persistent issue in oral antiandrogen treatments.

Scientific research into pyrilutamide is still in progress, but preliminary studies provide a foundation for understanding its potential. However, it is crucial to examine these studies critically, as most data originate from early-stage or company-funded research. A 2019 preclinical study conducted in China investigated pyrilutamide’s effect on androgen receptor activity using both cultured human cells and mouse models. **Over six months, the researchers observed that pyrilutamide successfully inhibited androgen receptor binding and prevented DHT-induced miniaturization in mice. **

A 2022 Phase II clinical trial conducted across centers in the United States and China evaluated pyrilutamide’s safety and efficacy in 120 male participants aged 18–45 with androgenic alopecia. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a 0.5% pyrilutamide solution or placebo for 24 weeks. Hair density was assessed using digital phototrichograms, and investigators rated global improvements. The pyrilutamide group demonstrated a significant increase in terminal hair count compared to placebo, with most adverse events limited to mild scalp irritation. As of 2024, a Phase III multicenter clinical trial involving approximately 600 participants is ongoing. Preliminary company reports from Kintor Pharmaceuticals suggest continued positive outcomes, with improved hair density and minimal systemic exposure. Yet, these results have not been independently verified or peer-reviewed, which warrants caution in interpretation.

Unlike finasteride, which works by lowering overall DHT levels, pyrilutamide allows normal hormonal balance while targeting only the local effects of DHT. This theoretically reduces risks of hormonal side effects such as decreased libido or mood changes. By acting directly at the receptor level, it blocks DHT’s damaging influence on scalp follicles without disturbing androgen function elsewhere in the body. Minoxidil, in contrast, promotes hair growth through a completely different mechanism by widening blood vessels and enhancing oxygen and nutrient delivery to the scalp. Some researchers speculate that combining pyrilutamide and minoxidil might offer complementary effects: one addressing the hormonal cause, the other supporting follicle vitality.

Assessing Safety and Limitations

So far, pyrilutamide has shown a favorable safety profile in clinical settings, with most reported effects being mild local reactions such as redness or dryness. No hormonal or sexual side effects have been observed in trials to date. Nevertheless, because the drug remains investigational, data on long-term effects are limited. Furthermore, no regulatory authority—including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—has yet approved pyrilutamide for medical use. This means its efficacy and safety are not yet established to clinical standards. Pyrilutamide represents a novel approach to managing androgenic alopecia by targeting the hormonal mechanism directly at the scalp level. The science behind its receptor-blocking action is well understood, but clinical validation is still underway. Early findings suggest it could become a safer alternative to oral DHT blockers, but the absence of long-term, independently verified data demands caution. For individuals considering this treatment, it is crucial to wait for peer-reviewed evidence and official regulatory approval to confirm its safety and real-world performance.

Pyrilutamide is a promising topical antiandrogen that may help treat androgenic alopecia by blocking DHT’s access to hair follicle receptors. By neutralizing DHT locally without altering systemic hormone levels, it offers a potentially safer and more targeted approach to hair preservation. However, while current studies show encouraging results, pyrilutamide’s long-term efficacy and safety remain unproven until larger, independent clinical trials are completed.

References

ClinicalTrials.gov. (2022). A study of pyrilutamide (KX-826) for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in males. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04509929

Li, X., Zhang, W., & Chen, J. (2019). Evaluation of a novel topical androgen receptor antagonist for androgenic alopecia. PubMed. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32797331/

Perfect Hair Health. (2024). Pyrilutamide: Mechanism, research, and efficacy. Retrieved from https://perfecthairhealth.com/pyrilutamide-review