Women only medications
for hair loss
Anti-androgens for hair
loss
Two specific medications
for women for hair loss are anti-androgens.
They suppress the actions of testosterone, and were
tested on women to treat female pattern hair loss. Men
who take these substances can experience diminished
sex drive and other side effects.
Spironolactone
Spironolactone (commercially
sold as Aldactone) is an oral duretice (or water pill).
It obtained FDA approval to treat congestivel heart
failure and high blood pressure. The studies on this
drug found that it helped women reduce unwanted hair.
When tested on women with pattern hair loss, the results
were mixed. The results are not strongly conclusive
that it is able to reduce hair thinning in women.
It has not been established
but spironolactone has been found to be associated to
increased risk of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.
For men it can cause testicular atrophy, breast enlargment
and decreased sexual function.
Cyproterone acetate
Because cyproterone acetate
is an anti-androgen (blocks the effects of male hormones
in women), it should only be used by women. Studies
have indicated that it is mildly effective for the treatment
of hirsutism (excessive hairiness) and female pattern
hair loss. It is available as a combination with estrogen
as an oral contraceptive in Europe. So far FDA has not
approved this combination.
More seriously, the most
potentially dangerous side effect of cyproterone acetate
is liver toxicity, and is also linked to increased rate
of blood clot.
Continue with the following
links for more detailed information on prescription
drugs and medications.
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