| Table 7-8 Hormone-Related Drugs |
| | Name | | Mechanism of Action | | Others |
| | Spironolactone
(Aldactone) | | Antiandrogen: blocks dihydrotestosterone (DHT) from binding to receptor
Category C | | Treats: hirsutism, hormonal acne (especially in PCOS), androgenetic alopecia
SE: ↑ K+ level, gynecomastia, breast tenderness (most common), and menstrual irregularity |
| | Finasteride
(Propecia)
(Proscar) | | Inhibits type II 5 a -reductase (which converts testosterone to DHT)
Category X | | Treats: androgenetic alopecia
SE: ↓ libido, erectile dysfunction, teratogen |
| | Flutamide | | Nonsteroidal antiandrogen: blocks DHT binding to R
Category D | | Treats: hirsutism (usually combined with OCP)
SE: hepatotoxicity |
| | Stanazolol Danazol | | Synthetic anabolic steroid derived from testosterone
Category X | | Treats: C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency, microvascular occlusion syndrome, and cryofibrinogenemia (due to fibrinolytic activity)
SE: alopecia, hirsutism, acne, hypertension, insulin resistance, muscle cramps |
| | Oral contraceptive pill
(OCP) | | Typically combination of estrogen and progestin (typically with low-androgenic activity) | | Blocks both ovarian and adrenal androgen production; used in hormonal acne
{Low-androgenic progestins: norethindrone, levonorgestrel, desogestrel, norgestimate} |
| | Eflornithine hydrochloride
(Vaniqa) | | Irreversibly inhibits ornithine decarboxylase (ODC)
Category C | | Slows down hair growth since ODC important for hair proliferation and growth; topical cream
Treats: hirsutism |
| | Minoxidil
(Rogaine) | | Mechanism not fully understood
Category C | | Two topical formulations: 2% and 5%
Treats: alopecia
SE: contact dermatitis, rarely HA or chest pain |
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