TLDR Clascoterone is safe for the heart, even at high doses.
This Phase I study assessed the cardiac safety of cortexolone 17α-propionate (clascoterone), a topical drug for androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and acne, in 32 healthy volunteers. The study was randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled, with participants receiving supratherapeutic doses of the drug. The primary focus was on the QTc interval, which is critical for heart electrical activity. The study demonstrated that clascoterone does not cause QTc interval prolongation, even at high doses, as the upper end of the 2-sided 90% confidence interval for the change in QTcF was below 10 milliseconds. Assay sensitivity was confirmed using the meal effect on the QTc interval. All participants completed the study, with 12 mild adverse events reported in 9 participants, except for one moderate migraine case. The results indicate that clascoterone is safe for long-term use without medical supervision regarding cardiac effects.
7 citations,
December 2019 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology” Topical therapies show promise for hair loss and acne treatment with minimal side effects.
22 citations,
April 2018 in “Pharmaceutics” New methods improve how well skin treatments work by helping drugs get through the skin barrier.
182 citations,
December 2007 in “BJCP. British journal of clinical pharmacology/British journal of clinical pharmacology” Hair follicles significantly increase the speed and amount of caffeine absorbed through the skin.
37 citations,
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May 2023 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology” More personalized and effective treatments for androgenetic alopecia are needed.
7 citations,
December 2019 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology” Topical therapies show promise for hair loss and acne treatment with minimal side effects.
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4 citations,
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November 2020 in “Elsevier eBooks” Antiandrogens and androgen inhibitors like spironolactone, finasteride, and dutasteride can treat hair loss and skin conditions, but they have risks and side effects, including potential harm to pregnant women and risks of cancer and heart issues. Herbal remedies also have antiandrogenic effects but lack safety validation.
