A COMPARISON BETWEEN 2 DOSES OF FLUTAMIDE (250 MG D AND 500 MG/D) IN THE TREATMENT OF HIRSUTISM/

Objective: To compare the effects of flutamide at 250 mg/d and 500 mg/ d in the treatment of hirsutism. Design: Randomized, prospective clini cal study. Patient(s): Sixty-five patients with moderate to severe hir sutism. Intervention(s): Group I (n = 35) patients were treated with f lutamide, 250 mg/d, and group II (n = 30) patients were treated with f lutamide, 500 mg/d, for 12 months. Baseline hormone levels, body mass index, and hirsutism scores were similar between the groups. Hirsutism score, hormone levels, and multiscreen blood chemistry were measured at 3-month intervals for 12 months. Result(s): The modified Ferriman-G allwey scores for hirsutism decreased significantly at months 6 and 12 from a mean +/- SEM of 17.8 +/- 0.9 to 6.0 +/- 0.6 (P < 0.001) and 17 .8 +/- 0.9 to 4.8 +/- 0.7 (P < 0.001) in group I and from 17.0 +/- 0.9 to 6.6 +/- 0.7 and 17.0 +/- 0.9 to 5.2 +/- 0.7 (P < 0.001) in group I I, respectively. The reductions in hirsutism scores (mean +/- SEM) wer e similar in group I at 6 months (64.6% +/- 2.5%) and at 12 months (71 .2% +/- 2.2%) and in group II at 6 months (62.1% +/- 3.0%) and at 12 m onths (70.3% +/- 3.0%). The percent reductions in hirsutism scores at 6 and at 12 months were similar within group I (64.6% +/- 2.5% and 71. 2% +/- 2.2%) and group II (62.1% +/- 3.0% and 70.3% +/- 3.0%), respect ively. The decreases in hirsutism scores in the first 6 months were mo re significant than in the last 6 months of treatment in both groups. There were no significant differences in any of the hormone levels dur ing therapy in either group. One patient in group II was excluded from the study because of liver dysfunction. Conclusion(s): This study sho ws that two different doses of flutamide (250 mg/d and 500 mg/d) are s imilarly effective in reducing hair growth. Flutamide at a dose of eit her 250 mg/d or 500 mg/d has no further effect after 6 months. We conc lude that if flutamide is administered at a dose of 250 mg/d it may re present an effective and well tolerated treatment with reduced cost fo r the patient. (C) 1997 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.