Topical Sulfonylurea as a Novel Therapy for Hypertrichosis Secondary to Diazoxide, and Potentially for Other Conditions with Excess Hair Growth

    September 2015 in “ Medical hypotheses ”
    Ron S. Newfield
    TLDR Topical sulfonylurea may reduce excessive hair growth caused by certain medications.
    The document discussed the potential use of topical sulfonylurea as a novel therapy for hypertrichosis, particularly when caused by diazoxide, a drug used to treat hypoglycemia. The hypothesis suggested that sulfonylurea could inhibit KATP potassium-gated channels in the skin, which control hair growth, thereby reducing excessive hair growth in a targeted manner. This approach could be beneficial for conditions like Cantú syndrome or drug-induced hypertrichosis. The significance of this hypothesis lay in its potential to offer a localized treatment for excess hair growth without the systemic side effects of current treatments. The author declared no conflicts of interest or funding related to the manuscript.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    3 / 3 results

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 1000+ results

      community Being Safe on Oral Minoxidil: tl;dr on the literature.

      in Research/Science  51 upvotes 9 months ago
      Oral minoxidil is effective for hair loss but can cause cardiovascular side effects, such as pericardial effusion, especially in those with genetic predispositions. Starting with low doses and monitoring cardiovascular health are advised to reduce risks.
      If You Have DUPA, PLEASE READ THIS: Everyone Should Be Scalp Biopsied

      community If You Have DUPA, PLEASE READ THIS: Everyone Should Be Scalp Biopsied

      in Research  830 upvotes 1 year ago
      Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

      community Topical Min and fin usage after 7 months

      in Progress Pictures  12 upvotes 4 days ago
      The user had a hair transplant in December 2024 and started using topical minoxidil and finasteride in March 2025, along with dermarolling and multivitamins. They are experiencing increased hair shedding and are questioning if it's the "dread shed" phase.

      community Topical dutasteride is superior to oral finasteride

      in Research/Science  84 upvotes 5 days ago
      Topical dutasteride is more effective than oral finasteride for male pattern hair loss, with fewer side effects. Some prefer oral treatments for convenience, while others use topical solutions like minoxidil and dutasteride, sometimes with microneedling, for better results.

      community Topical Finasteride Gel 1% after 4 months — problems

      in Finasteride  156 upvotes 6 days ago
      The user experienced hair thinning due to a testosterone spike and used a minoxidil solution and topical finasteride gel. After four months, the gel caused side effects without improving hair thinning, leading to questions about continuing or adjusting the treatment.

    Related Research

    1 / 1 results