Comparison of Finasteride and Flutamide in the Treatment of Idiopathic Hirsutism

July 1999 in “ Fertility and Sterility ”

Leopoldo Falsetti, Alessandro Gambera

finasteride flutamide idiopathic hirsutism hair growth Propecia

TLDR Finasteride and flutamide both reduce hair growth, but finasteride has fewer side effects.

This document summarizes various studies that compare the effectiveness of finasteride and flutamide in treating idiopathic hirsutism in women. Both drugs were found to be effective in reducing hair growth, but flutamide was more effective in some studies while finasteride was better tolerated with fewer side effects in others. Overall, the studies suggest that finasteride may be a better long-term treatment option for idiopathic hirsutism.

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5 / 5 results

research Comparison of Finasteride Versus Spironolactone in the Treatment of Idiopathic Hirsutism

76 citations , December 1997 in “Fertility and Sterility”

Finasteride reduces hair growth better, but spironolactone has more side effects.

research Outcome of Long-Term Treatment with the 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride in Idiopathic Hirsutism: Clinical and Hormonal Effects During a 1-Year Course of Therapy and 1-Year Follow-Up

75 citations , November 1996 in “Fertility and Sterility”

Finasteride effectively reduces hair growth in women with idiopathic hirsutism, but requires careful contraception during treatment.

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Hirsutism: New Therapeutic Perspectives

50 citations , July 1996 in “Fertility and Sterility”

Finasteride effectively treats hirsutism in women, but more research needed for long-term results.

research Clinical and Endocrine Effects of Finasteride, a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, in Women with Idiopathic Hirsutism

70 citations , August 1995 in “Fertility and Sterility”

Finasteride reduces hairiness and androgen levels in women with unexplained excessive hair growth.

research Finasteride

187 citations , January 1994 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Finasteride treats enlarged prostate and may help with baldness, but effects on sexual function and male fetuses are unclear.

6 / 6 results

research A Comparison Between Finasteride, Flutamide, and Finasteride Plus Flutamide Combination in the Treatment of Hirsutism

18 citations , January 2009 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation”

Flutamide works better than finasteride for hirsutism, and combining both is slightly better but not much.

research A Prospective, Randomized Trial Comparing Flutamide (250 mg/d) and Finasteride (5 mg/d) in the Treatment of Hirsutism

50 citations , May 2000 in “Fertility and Sterility”

Flutamide reduces hair growth better but has more side effects.

research Comparison of Spironolactone, Flutamide, and Finasteride Efficacy in the Treatment of Hirsutism: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

94 citations , January 2000 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Spironolactone most effective for hirsutism, but has side effects.