The efficacy of 250 mg/day flutamide in the treatment of patients with hirsutism

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of low dose flutamide (250 mg/d) on hirsutism score and hormone levels in women with hirsutism.

Design: Nonrandomized, prospective clinical trial.

Patients: Forty-one patients with moderate-severe hirsutism were included in the study.

Intervention: Hirsute patients received 250 mg/d flutamide for a period of 6 months.

Main outcome measures: Hirsutism score, FSH, LH, E2, total T, free T, androstenedione, DHEAS, PRL, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin levels were detected in all the patients before treatment and every 3 months during treatment.

Results: Treatment with the antiandrogen flutamide resulted in a particularly rapid and marked decrease in the hirsutism score, which decreased from 17.48 +/- 5.35 to 5.07 +/- 2.89 after 6 months. No significant changes in the levels of hormone and no serious side effects were observed in the study.

Conclusion: The low-dose flutamide, 250 mg/d, is a cost-effective drug in the treatment of hirsutism. Low-dose flutamide may be used in place of high-dose flutamide, 500 to 750 mg/d.