Oral contraceptives
|
Ethinyl estradiol with norgestimate,
desogestrel, norethindron,ethynodiol diacetate Ethinyl
estradiol with drospirenone |
Generalized hirsutism |
One tablet per day for 21 days, followed
by 7-day pill-free interval |
GI distress, breast tenderness, headache,
weight gain, emotional lability, intolerance to contact
lenses Hyperkalemia may occur. Contraindicated with
hepatic dysfunction, renal insufficiency, adrenal
disease |
Pregnancy category X. Least androgenic
progestin component preferred Monitor serum potassium
during first cycle with concurrent use of NSAIDs, ACE
inhibitors, angiotensin-II receptor blockers, heparin,
potassium supplements, potassium-sparing diuretics |
Anti-androgens
|
Spironolac-tone |
Moderate or severe hirsutism |
50-200 mg/day |
Hyperkalemia (rare), male
pseudoherma-phroditism in fetus, gynecomastia, decreased
libido, gastrointestinal discomfort, irregular menstrual
bleeding, hypotension, liver dysfunction |
Pregnancy category D, monitor electrolytes
|
|
Cyproterone acetate |
Moderate or severe hirsutism |
Induction: 50-100 mg by mouth at bedtime,
days: 5-15 Maintenance: 50 mg by mouth at bedtime, days:
5-15 |
Male pseudoherma-phroditism in fetus,
irregular menstrual bleeding, decreased libido, nausea,
depression, fatigue, mood changes and weight gain |
Contraception is mandatory when taking
cyproterone acetate, and is recommended for at least 3
months after treatment is discontinued. Liver function
should be checked regularly during long-term use |
|
Flutamide |
Severe hirsutism |
125-250 mg, two to three times daily |
Male pseudoherma-phroditism in fetus,
hepatotoxicity |
Combine with other method of
contraception. Pregnancy category D. Monitor liver
function |
|
Finasteride |
Hirsutism |
5 mg daily |
Minimal gastrointestinal disturbances,
headaches, dry skin and decreased libido |
Pregnancy category X. Monitor liver
function |
Glucocorticoids
|
Dexametha-sone Prednisone |
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, may be
combined with oral contracep-tives or Gn-RH agonists for
severe hirsutism |
Dexamethasone 0.5 mg nightly, prednisone
5-7.5 mg by mouth at bedtime |
Weight gain, hypokalemia, impaired glucose
tolerance, adrenal suppression, decreased bone density,
immune suppression, changes typical of Cushing’s
syndrome |
Pregnancy category C |
GnRH agonist
|
Leuprolide acetate |
Alternative to oral contracep-tive |
7/5 mg monthly intramus-cularly, with
25-50 mcg transdermal oestradiol |
Hot flashes, decreased bone mineral
density, atrophic vaginitis |
Pregnancy category X. Use with caution for
short periods because of hypoestrogenic effect |
Insulin-lowering agents
|
Metformin |
Hirsutism, polycystic ovary syndrome |
850 mg twice a day or 500 mg three times
daily (maximal dose 2.0-2.5 g/day) |
GI distress, lactic acidosis (rare with
mortality nearly 50%), numerous drug interactions |
Pregnancy category B. Resumption of
ovulation may occur. Monitor liver function, confirm
normal renal function before starting, and monitor |