HIRSUTISM (UNWANTED HAIRS)

Eflornithine hydrochloride -13.9 % w/w cream

Top 10 Hirsutism Medicine in India- Women sometimes face the issue of excessive hair growth in regions of their bodies that are normally not hairy. This medical condition is known as hirsutism, and it causes serious psychological effects, thus lowering the quality of life. The condition is usually associated with hormonal changes, most often as a result of increased levels of male hormones like androgens. In India, a wide range of cultural treatments is available including drugs and non-drug alternatives. Here we discuss the 10 most used medicines in controlling hirsutism in India .

List of Top 10 Hirsutism Medicine in India-

Below we share the list of Top 10 Hirsutism Medicine in India-

1. Spironolactone

One of the common medications prescribed for hirsutism is spironolactone. The drug is an anti-androgen that prevents androgens from acting on hair follicles and hence inhibits hair growth. Any excess water is removed from the body as the drug has a diuretic action.

Benefits: Controls excessive hair growth, enhances skin quality, and may be effective in treating hormonal acne.
Possible Adverse Effects: It can cause dizziness, and menstrual cycle irregularities and affect the levels of certain electrolytes. It is good practice to do baseline and regular potassium monitoring.

2. Flutamid

Flutamide is one more anti-androgenic medication that is used to treat hirsutism. It prevents the action of androgens by blocking their receptors thereby inhibiting hair growth. This treatment has also been proven effective for women who do not tolerate other drugs well.

Benefits: Useful in hastening the reduction of facial hair growth and can treat acne as well.
Side Effects: Risk of liver toxicity exists; therefore monitoring of liver function tests is mandated during treatment. Can also cause menopausal-like symptoms and nausea or vomiting.

3. Cyproterone Acetate

Cyproterone acetate is a steroid progestin and an anti-androgen that is utilized for the treatment of hirsutism in females. Its mechanism of action involves blocking the effect of androgens and lowering their concentration in the body. It is most of the time dosed with estrogen as a variability of oral contraceptives.

Benefits: Inhibits hair growth and is effective in the treatment of other PCOS-related issues.
Side Effects: Mood changes, increase in weight, and tiredness are some of the effects. Due to the likelihood of liver damage, there is a need for monitoring.

4. Eflornithine Cream

Eflornithine cream is a dermatological preparation aimed at reducing excessive facial hair growth in females. It acts by blocking an enzyme responsible for hair development. Eflornithine cream has no effects on hormone levels in the body like other medicines taken orally and is therefore considered safe for use over a long period.

Benefits: It does this by retarding the rate of hair growth thus acting as an adjunct to shaving or plucking.
Side Effects: Risk of skin irritation, rash, or burning.

5. Oral Contraceptives

Hirsutism is a condition that affects many women and is often treated with hormones such as estrogen and progestin in the form of combined oral contraceptives. It does this by lowering the circulating levels of free androgens in the body thus reducing excessive hair growth.

Benefits: Effective in the treatment of hirsutism and also in the regulation of menstrual periods and ultimately clears acne.
Side Effects: In certain individuals, it may cause vomiting, headache, and mood change. In addition, there is the possibility of thromboembolic disease most likely in women who smoke and those above forty years of age.

6. Finasteride

Finasteride, a prescription medication, is mostly for androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) but it can also be used for hirsutism in females. It works by deactivating the 5 alpha-reductase enzyme that changes testosterone into a less active dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Benefits: It has the beneficial effect of reducing the rate of hair growth and enhancing the look of the skin as well.
Side Effects: It may cause fetal abnormalities, therefore it is advised against women who are pregnant or at risk of pregnancy to use this medicine. Dizziness and breast pain are other side effects.
7. Bicalutamide

Bicalutamide, an anti-androgen agent, is used in the management of prostate cancer, but it has been of use in the treatment of hirsutism in females. It inhibits the action of androgens in the hair follicles and therefore decreases hair growth.

Benefits: Helps in the reduction of the body as well as facial hair.
Side Effects: Causes liver damage and gastrointestinal distress in some patients. Periodic liver function testing is advised.

8. Metformin

Metformin is used primarily to control blood glucose levels but has also been found useful in hirsutism management among PCOS women. It alleviates the symptoms of hirsutism by enhancing insulin sensitivity, which leads to a decrease in the levels of androgens.

Benefits: Assists with weight loss, enhances insulin resistance, and possibly helps to normalize menstrual patterns.
Side Effects: Gastrointestinal adverse effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and belly pain are possible with this medication.

9. Clomiphene Citrate

Clomiphene citrate is mostly given to help women who have difficulty conceiving, however, it could also be used to alleviate hirsutism, as it can increase levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) which are necessary to control androgens.

Benefits: The possibility of improving PCOS symptoms and restoring ovulatory cycles.
Side Effects: Risk of causing hot flushes, changes in emotions, and back pain.

10. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) Agonists

In cases of hirsutism that present severe complications, GnRH agonists are recommended. They achieve this by blocking the secretion of hormones that stimulate the ovaries, hence lowering androgen levels.

Benefits: Very useful in alleviating severe hirsutism and other symptoms associated with hormonal imbalance.
Side Effects: This may produce side effects associated with menopause such as hot flashes, decrease in bone density, and mood alterations.

FAQs about Top 10 Hirsutism Medicine in India-

1. Are these medications appropriate for all women suffering from hirsutism?
Individual circumstances dictate treatment applicability; endorsement from a medical practitioner is paramount.
2. How soon can patients expect to see the effects of the medications?
It may take approximately 3-6 months before any significant hair reduction can be appreciated.
3. Do hirsutism medications provide complete relief from the condition?
Medications for hirsutism treat the condition by controlling hair growth but do not cure the condition permanently