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Hezzer · 10-22-2003, 11:28 AM

Here's some information I found when I ran a search on the web.

Flutamide/Eulexin for Hirsutism

Flutamide (eulexin) is a potent antiandrogen that strongly binds to androgen receptors on cells in hair follicles and anywhere else in the body. Even though it binds to the cell receptors it does not stimulate the cells into any response. When naturally produced androgens bind to the same receptors on hair follicle cells, the cells may respond with increased activity and terminal hair production. The binding of Flutamide to cell androgen receptors blocks the receptors from binding to naturally produced androgens and so stops natural androgens from stimulating hair growth.

Studies that compare flutamide to spironolactone or cyproterone acetate suggest that overall the beneficial effects on reducing hirsutism are similar. Some suggest flutamide is slightly superior and others say it is slightly less superior. Initially flutamide was given to patients at high dose rates of up to 250mg three times a day. However more recent studies indicate that a similar improvement in hirsutism can be obtained with flutamide doses as low as 62.5mg a day. The reduction in dose significantly reduces the risk of side effects.

For a small subgroup of women flutamide and other oral antiandrogens are highly toxic. Between February 1989 and December 1994 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received reports of 20 patients who died and 26 who were hospitalized for hepatotoxicity due to flutamide, a rate around 3 per 10,000 flutamide users. Early symptoms of hepatotoxicity include nausea, vomiting, fatigue and jaundice and if such symptoms occur they must be immediately reported to a doctor. Dermatologists generally recommend that serial blood aminotransferase levels should be monitored during the first few months of flutamide treatment. Any adverse aminotransferase level changes suggest that hepatotoxicity is a significant risk and flutamide use should be stopped. For this and other reasons, some dermatologists do not use flutamide to treat hirsutism however, the side effect risk of flutamide is no better or worse than other oral antiandrogens.

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Other information I found . . .

Eulexin (also known as flutamide) is an antiandrogen used mainly in causing medical castration. That is, complete inference with testosterone at the cellular level leading to a complete absence of testerones effects. This drug is commonly used in prostatic cancer since testosterone will accelerate the cancer. It is commonly used with leuprolide to treat prostate cancer. Some have advocated this drug to be used in sexual offenders as a way to decrease testerone levels.

Side effects are listed for treatment with flutamide: loss of libido, impotence, hot flashes, hypertension, diarrhea, GI disturbances, anorexia, confusion, depression, drowsiness, anxiety, nervousness, anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia macrocytic anemia, methemoglobinemia, hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice, hepatic encephalopathy, jaundice, hepatic necrosis, liver failure, rash, injection site irritation, erythema, ulceration, bullous eruptions, epidermal necrolysi, gynecomastia, edema, neuromuscular symptoms, pulmonary symptoms, GU symptoms, malignant breast tumors.

Eulexin has been known to cause liver failure in some patients, in rare cases leading to death. Your doctor will do blood tests to check your liver function before you start treatment with Eulexin, and at regular intervals thereafter. If a liver problem does develop, you may need to take less Eulexin or stop taking the drug altogether. Report any signs or symptoms that might suggest liver damage to your doctor right away. Warning signs include dark urine, itching, flu-like symptoms, jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and eyes), persistent appetite loss, and persistent tenderness on the right side of the upper abdomen.