LOW-DOSE KETOCONAZOLE IS AN EFFECTIVE AND A RELATIVELY SAFE ALTERNATIVE IN THE TREATMENT OF HIRSUTISM

Efficacy, clinical and hormonal effect of ketoconazole in 400 mg/day d ose was tested in a prospectively-designed study. Twenty four patients with hirsutism according to the Ferriman and Gallwey score (>8) and e levated blood androgen levels were administered 400 mg/day ketoconazol e for 6 months. Basal and posttherapy early follicular phase androgens and biochemical parameters were evaluated. In 22 patients significant improvement and in 2 slight improvement was seen in subjective compla ints. No side-effects were observed in these patients other than 2 cas es of pruritus (transient), 2 mild gastric upset and 1 mastodynia. All patients completed the study. Low dose ketoconazole seems to be effec tive in the treatment of hirsutism with relatively few side-effects bu t still should be reserved as an alternative choice due to the potenti al for deleterious hepatic effects.