Bicalutamide and the new perspectives for female pattern hair loss treatment: What dermatologists should know
January 2022
in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”
TLDR Bicalutamide, a drug with a good safety profile, is a promising new treatment for female pattern hair loss.
The document discusses Female pattern hair loss (FPHL), the most common form of alopecia in women, which can negatively impact quality of life. Currently, the only FDA approved drug for its treatment is topical minoxidil, which has a variable response rate. However, recent studies have pointed out bicalutamide as a promising new treatment for FPHL. Bicalutamide is an emergent selective androgen receptor antagonist with a favorable safety and tolerability profile. It has no diuretic effect, does not cross the blood-brain barrier, and has little effect on serum luteinizing hormone. It was found to be effective on women presenting with other features of hyperandrogenism such as seborrhea, acne, and hirsutism with mild and well-tolerated adverse effects. Despite the high prevalence and psychosocial impairment, FPHL treatment remains challenging. Therefore, although future prospective, comparative, randomized clinical trials are essential to establish the ideal dose and efficacy of the drug, oral bicalutamide appears to be a promising option to expand the arsenal of FPHL treatment.
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