Finasteride in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Male Therapy for a Predominantly Female Disease

The review examined the use of finasteride, an anti-androgenic agent, for treating hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a condition linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome with a hormonal component. The literature included five publications with 13 patients (4 males, 9 females, including children and adolescents). Finasteride, used either alone or with other treatments, showed largely favorable outcomes, including complete resolution in three cases. The treatment was well-tolerated with a benign safety profile, though contraception was recommended for female patients due to teratogenicity concerns. The study concluded that finasteride could be a highly effective, durable, safe, and cost-effective option for treating HS in both adults and select younger patients with metabolic and hormonal issues.