Premium
Low Dose Ketoconazole is an Effective and a Relatively Safe Alternative in the Treatment of Hirsutism*
Author(s) -
Işrk Ahmet Zeki,
Gökmen Oya,
Zeyneloǧlu Hulusi B.,
Şenoz Selim,
Zorlu C. Gürkan
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1479-828x.1996.tb02202.x
Subject(s) - ketoconazole , hirsutism , medicine , basal (medicine) , follicular phase , urology , dermatology , polycystic ovary , antifungal , insulin , insulin resistance
Summary: Efficacy, clinical and hormonal effect of ketoconazole in 400 mg/day dose was tested in a prospectively‐designed study. Twenty four patients with hirsutism according to the Ferriman and Gallwey score (>8) and elevated blood androgen levels were administered 400 mg/day ketoconazole 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 complaints. No side‐effects were observed in these patients other than 2 cases of pruritus (transient), 2 mild gastric upset and 1 mastodynia. All patients completed the study. Low dose ketoconazole seems to be effective in the treatment of hirsutism with relatively few side‐effects but still should be reserved as an alternative choice due to the potential for deleterious hepatic effects.