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Other Hair Removal Methods
Hair Removal Prescription Oral Medications

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6 Hair Removal Prescription Oral Medications - 1

1. Spironolactone (Aldactone)
2. Finasteride (marketed as Propecia and Proscar)
3. Flutamide
4. Cyproterone acetate (not available in the US)
5. Ketoconazole
6. Gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonists

Basic Facts
Some prescription oral medications have been found to affect hair growth. They can be helpful in reducing hair growth in some conaumers, but it's important to discuss possible unwanted side effects with your physician.
Drugs that can reduce hair growth

1. Spironolactone (Aldactone)
   Spironolactone (also known as Aldactone) is arguably the number one hirsutism treatment of choice for dermatologists in the US. Spironolactone has antiandrogenic effects that may enhance treatment of several androgen-excess conditions, particularly severe hirsutism.
   
   
   Spironolactone has several properties that make it suitable for use in treating hirsutism. It interferes with the production of testosterone and it increases the metabolism of any testosterone that is produced. Spironolactone binds to cell androgen receptors and blocks them from binding to naturally produced androgens. In addition with long term spironolactone use, there is a gradual reduction in 5 alpha reductase activity. It is this enzyme that converts testosterone to the more potent, hair follicle stimulating, dihydrotestosterone.
   
   
   Treatment protocols may involve continuous spironolactone use at 50mg to 200mg per day or cyclic use. For example 50mg or 100mg twice daily from the 4th to the 22nd day of the menstrual cycle. Numerous treatment protocols involving spironolactone have been used in different studies, but no particular treatment approach has been shown to be significantly superior. Combination therapy with an oral contraceptive pill or dexamethasone appears to have an improved beneficial effect on hirsutism and limits side effects.
   
   
   Spironoolactone is a diuretic, so it's advised to drink plenty of water while taking it. Side effects with spironolactone are generally transient. As with all antiandrogens , spironolactone use should be avoided during pregnancy and in women who have a family history of breast cancer, although there is no proven association between spironolactone and breast malignancy.

2. Finasteride (marketed as Propecia and Proscar)
   Promoted for use in treating pattern baldness and benign prostate hyperplasia, respectively, it's a type II 5alpha reductase inhibitor. This enzyme blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a potent stimulator of hair loss in scalp follicles and hair growth in body hair follicles that have androgen receptors.
   
   
   When finasteride was tested on postmenopausal women with pattern baldness there was little or no response. However, in trials for hirsutism finasteride has some significant promise. Results with finasteride alone in some trials have been comparable with oral antiandrogens, and the combination of finasteride plus other antiandrogens have shown an improved effect over using treatments separately.
   
   
   Although it may not be an appropriate treatment in every situation, finasteride is a readily available and relatively safe treatment option. The most significant side effect is that male fetuses will develop with female genitalia in any pregnant woman using finasteride. Consequently, dermatologists ensure one or more forms of birth control are used by any woman using finasteride. Other side effects reported include breast enlargement and increased libido (in contrast to decreased libido in men).

3. Flutamide; 4. Cyproterone acetate (not available in the US)
5. Ketoconazole; 6. Gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonists