Flutamide is a medication that belongs to a class of drugs known as antiandrogens. It is primarily used in the treatment of certain types of prostate cancer, particularly in cases that have spread beyond the prostate gland. Prostate cancer growth is often stimulated by male hormones called androgens, such as testosterone.
Flutamide works by blocking the effects of androgens on cancer cells, thereby slowing down the growth and spread of prostate cancer. It is often used in combination with other treatments like surgery, radiation therapy, or other medications.
In addition to its use in prostate cancer treatment, flutamide has also been explored as a potential treatment for other conditions related to excess androgen activity, such as hirsutism (excessive body hair growth — DHT increases body hair growth and decreases scalp hair growth) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women.
How does it work?
Flutamide competes with androgens like testosterone for binding to androgen receptors located on the surface of prostate cancer cells. When flutamide binds to these receptors, it prevents the androgens from attaching to the receptors and activating them. This blocks the signals that would normally promote the growth and division of prostate cancer cells.
It can do the exact same thing for preventing DHT from binding with receptors in hair follicles and as a result prevent hair loss caused by DHT — which is the most common form of hair loss.
Why topical flutamide might be a good treatment
Flutamide might be a good treatment for hair loss because it’s a topical and works in the scalp. Some (crazy) people take an oral medication called Finasteride to achieve similar results. Finasteride reduces the amount of DHT that goes to the hair follicles, but it also reduces DHT everywhere else in the body, which means it effects every part of the body, not just the scalp!
Using a topical androgen blocker seems like a way better idea because much less of the medication will absorb into the bloodstream. Some of it will though, so if you use too much topical Flutamide you will likely experience some similar side effects to Finasteride (but milder). To me this is a way smarter approach to fighting hair loss.
Would I use Flutamide for hair loss?
I’ll be honest I am thinking about looking into it. Should you? No, not unless it’s been prescribed by a doctor.
