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Glossary Bicalutamide

medication that blocks male hormones to treat prostate cancer

Bicalutamide, also known by the brand name Casodex, is a medication primarily used to treat prostate cancer. It works as an anti-androgen, meaning it blocks the action of male hormones like testosterone, which can promote the growth of cancer cells.

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learn Bicalutamide

Nonsteroidal anti-androgen, originally a prostate cancer drug

Can bicalutamide stop DHT from shrinking your hair follicles? Bicalutamide blocks androgens at the receptor rather than lowering DHT, and some dermatologists prescribe it off-label for women with pattern hair loss, although its US label says it should not be used in women. The one randomised trial (74 women, 2025) found it added no benefit to oral minoxidil, and the drug needs liver monitoring because its label warns of severe and fatal liver injury; it is contraindicated in pregnancy.
Why do some women use bicalutamide for hormonal hair loss? Some dermatologists prescribe bicalutamide off-label for female pattern hair loss, although its US label says it should not be used in women; the one randomised trial found no added benefit over oral minoxidil. The label warns of severe and fatal liver injury, requiring liver blood tests, and the drug must not be used in pregnancy.
Is topical bicalutamide a safer alternative to finasteride? There is no published human trial of topical bicalutamide for hair loss, and no licensed topical product exists, so it cannot be called safer than finasteride — or shown to work at all. Oral finasteride has decades of trial data with a documented side-effect profile, and topical finasteride has a phase III trial behind it.
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Research

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research Combined Oral Contraception and Bicalutamide in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Severe Hirsutism: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

25 citations , December 2017 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism”

This study found that using an oral contraceptive with bicalutamide significantly reduced hirsutism in women with PCOS compared to an oral contraceptive alone, although it increased total cholesterol and LDL levels.

research Optimization, characterization, and follicular targeting assessment of tretinoin and bicalutamide loaded niosomes

16 citations , November 2023 in “Scientific Reports”

This study developed a niosomal delivery system loaded with tretinoin and bicalutamide, optimized for follicular targeting in acne management, showing promising accumulation in hair follicles in animal models.

research Safety of oral bicalutamide in female pattern hair loss: A retrospective review of 316 patients

16 citations , March 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This abstract discusses the efficacy of spironolactone, cyproterone acetate, and flutamide in treating female pattern hair loss, noting that flutamide use requires caution due to potential liver toxicity, especially at high doses.

research Bicalutamide: A potential new oral antiandrogenic drug for female pattern hair loss

8 citations , April 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This article discusses the potential of oral bicalutamide as a promising treatment for female pattern hair loss and reports no new clinical results.

research Oral bicalutamide for female pattern hair loss: A pilot study

8 citations , October 2019 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

This source explores the potential use of oral bicalutamide for treating female pattern hair loss, but specific results or outcomes from the study are not reported in the abstract.

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Community Join

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community Bicalutamide vs Finasteride for female AGA plus TE

4 upvotes 7 months ago

OP is considering Bicalutamide for female AGA and TE but is concerned about its side effects and effectiveness compared to Finasteride. OP is also using Minoxidil and Spironolactone but is experiencing significant shedding and is unsure if it's androgen-driven or due to Minoxidil changes.

community Bicalutamide and muscles growth

7 upvotes 1 year ago

A 30-year-old woman with androgenetic alopecia is considering bicalutamide to slow hair loss but is concerned about its impact on muscle growth due to its anti-androgen effects. Alternatives suggested include dutasteride, spironolactone, RU58841, and minoxidil, with concerns about bicalutamide's side effects.

community Bicalutamide effect on androgens?

5 upvotes 5 years ago

Bicalutamide blocks androgen receptors, preventing testosterone and DHT from binding, which can help with hair loss but may cause feminization. It is not recommended for those who do not want feminization effects.

community Bicalutamide for hair loss

4 upvotes 5 years ago

Bicalutamide is discussed as a treatment for hair loss, particularly in females, with some users cautioning against its use due to potential side effects. The conversation also mentions using finasteride and other anti-androgens, with some users recommending more traditional treatments like dutasteride.

community Topical bicalutamide vs ru58841

in Female 1 upvotes 2 years ago

A user is seeking advice on making a topical bicalutamide solution as an alternative to RU58841 for hair loss, while already using dutasteride and minoxidil. They are considering crushing bicalutamide pills and adding them to their minoxidil.

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