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How
might buserelin acetate treat androgenetic alopecia
Buserelin acetate is the generic name for the commercial brand
name Suprefact. It comes in two forms as an intranasal spray: 100
mcg/spray (100 sprays/bottle), or depot for skin (sub cutaneous)
injection: 1 mg/mL (multidose vial).
Buserelin acetate is a synthetic drug that has the equivalent properties
of natural gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH/LHRH) that we all
produce in our bodies. However, buserelin acetate is far more powerful
than the natural hormone. Buserelin acetate promotes follicle stimulating
hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) release 20 to 170 times
greater than observed with LHRH. Long term use of buserelin acetate
suppresses production of steroid hormones and gonadotrophin. Consequently,
there is a reduction in steroid hormone levels such as testosterone
in the blood.
It is most frequently used to treat prostate cancer, but may also
have potential for treating pattern baldness. Only a few studies
examine buserelin acetate use for androgen dependant diseases other
than prostate cancer and none look at using it for pattern baldness
treatment. However, one study looked at the use of oral buserelin
acetate for hirsutism in women. The results were favorable.
How
might buserelin acetate treat androgenetic alopecia references
- Bertoli
A, Fusco A, Magnani A, Marini MA, Di Daniele N, Gatti S, Lauro
R. Efficacy of low-dose GnRH analogue (Buserelin) in the treatment
of hirsutism. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 1995;103(1):15-20.
- Faloia
E, Filipponi S, Mancini V, Morosini P, De Pirro R. Treatment
with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist in acne or idiopathic
hirsutism. J Endocrinol Invest. 1993 Oct;16(9):675-7.
- Urbancsek
J, Rabe T, Gor U, Schulte B, Grunwald K, Papp Z, Runnebaum B.
Effect of the GnRH analog buserelin on sex hormone serum level
in relation to treatment onset and duration. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd.
1991 Aug;51(8):617-25.
- Faure
N, Lemay A. Ovarian suppression in polycystic ovarian disease
during 6 month administration of a luteinizing hormone-releasing
hormone (LH-RH) agonist. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1987 Dec;27(6):703-13.
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