Spironolactone:
Spironolactone, in daily doses of 50-200 mg,
blocks androgen receptors. Spironolactone also
decreases testosterone production, making it additionally effective for hirsutism. Spironolactone is especially useful in a patient with hypertension or edema because the drug is a mild diuretic.
Sexually active women taking spironolactone should ensure that contraceptive measures are adequate. In some cases, spironolactone can be combined with an OC for added effect on the hirsutism.
With current systemic therapies for hirsutism,
6 months to a year of therapy is usually required before results are noticeable.
Even then,
only approximately one half to three quarters of patients show improvement. The problem may lie partially in the nature of the hair follicle, which persists for 6 months to a year even after androgen levels have been normalized.
Ineffectiveness may also be due to the
inability of treatment to completely normalize elevated tissue dihydrotestosterone levels. Newer therapies directed at inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase or blockade of the androgen receptor may improve the ability to treat patients.
Source:
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic1017.htm
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Of interest... Quote:
...another Italian group concluded that spironolactone is dose-dependent with higher doses (200 mg/day) more effective against hirsutism. The trade-off is increased adverse effects, including dysfunctional uterine bleeding, which, in turn, should be treated with combined oral contraceptives.
Source: http://physicianassistant.mediwire.c...ticleID=375433 |
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