Summary:
Fluridil shows no absorption into the body systemically or side effects when applied topically. It increased the number of hairs in the growth phase by 11% after 9 months of treatment (compared to no increase in placebo treated subjects).
BACKGROUND:
Fluridil, a novel topical antiandrogen, suppresses the human androgen receptor. While highly hydrophobic and hydrolytically degradable, it is systemically nonresorbable. In animals, fluridil demonstrated high local and general tolerance.
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a topical anti- androgen, fluridil, in male androgenetic alopecia.
METHODS:
In 20 men, for 21 days, occlusive forearm patches with 2, 4, and 6% fluridil, isopropanol, and/or vaseline were applied. In 43 men with androgenetic alopecia (AGA), Norwood grade II-Va, 2% fluridil was evaluated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study after 3 months clinically by phototrichograms, hematology, and blood chemistry including analysis for fluridil, and at 9 months by phototrichograms.
RESULTS:
Neither fluridil nor isopropanol showed sensitization/irritation potential, unlike vaseline. In all AGA subjects, baseline anagen/telogen counts were equal. After 3 months, the average anagen percentage did not change in placebo subjects, but increased in fluridil subjects from 76% to 85%, and at 9 months to 87%. In former placebo subjects, fluridil increased the anagen percentage after 6 months from 76% to 85%. Sexual functions, libido, hematology, and blood chemistry values were normal throughout, except that at 3 months, in the spring, serum testosterone increased within the normal range equally in placebo and fluridil groups. No fluridil or its decomposition product, BP-34, was detectable in the serum at 0, 3, or 90 days.
CONCLUSION:
Topical fluridil is nonirritating, nonsensitizing, nonresorbable, devoid of systemic activity, and anagen promoting after daily use in most AGA males.
Author:
Sovak M, Seligson AL, Kucerova R, Bienova M, Hajduch M, Bucek M
Source:
Dermatol Surg. 2002 Aug;28(8):678-85.
Address:
Radiology Research, University of California, San Diego, California, USA.
