Exam 1 Drugs for Androgenic Alopecia

Question 1

names of two Drugs for treating Androgenic Alopecia

Answer 1

1. Minoxidil (Rogaine, etc.)

2. Finasteride (Propecia, etc.)

Question 2

what is Androgenic Alopecia?

Answer 2

male or female pattern baldness

Question 3

% of population with Androgenic Alopecia

Answer 3

about 50%

Question 4

what is Androgenic Alopecia Caused by?

Answer 4

dihydrotestosterone binding to androgen receptors and this complex activates genes that transform hair follicles

Question 5

treatment goal for Androgenic Alopecia patients

Answer 5

reduce loss and maintain existing hair

Question 6

What was Minoxidil first used for?

Answer 6

hypertension since the MOA is arterial dilation

Question 7

when Minoxidil was first used for hypertension, what ADR did they find?

Answer 7

hypertrichosis (hair growth)

Question 8

formulation of Minoxidil to limit and contain ADR for therapeutic benefit

Answer 8

Topical formulation

Question 9

Systemic formulation of Minoxidil treats _____.

Answer 9

hypertension

Question 10

Is Minoxidil safe for both men and women?

Answer 10

yes,First-line for both men and women

Question 11

Is Minoxidil rx only or OTC

Answer 11

over the counter

Question 12

How doe Minoxidil work?

Answer 12

Works by changing follicular size and growth cycle of hair to produce increases numbers of hairs as well as thicker/longer hair shafts

Question 13

ADR of Minoxidil (topical formulation for hair loss)

Answer 13

ADR: local irritation (usually after first few applications), undesirable hair growth if applied inappropriately

Question 14

Pt education for Minoxidil

Answer 14

wash hands after application, treatment must be continuous (if pt stops, all progress will be lost)

Question 15

Finasteride (Propecia, etc.) is a

Type II-5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, which inhibits what?

Answer 15

this inhibits conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone

Question 16

Bald areas are associated with increased amounts of _______.

Answer 16

dihydrotestosterone

Question 17

Is Finasteride PO or topical?

Answer 17

PO only

Question 18

PO formulation (not topical like Minoxidil) only grows hair ________.

Answer 18

at the vertex and frontal scalp

Question 19

Is Finasteride safe for both men and women?

Answer 19

only for men, rarely used for women– ok for women after menopause, causes hormone issues

Question 20

Pregnant women should not be exposed to Finasteride due to what?

Answer 20

potential genital abnormalities in male fetus

Question 21

ADRs of Finasteride?

Answer 21

ADR: decreased libido, erectile dysfunction (ED), ejaculation disorder, decreased ejaculation volume (all caused by reducing dihydrotestosterone)

Question 22

Pt education for Finasteride?

Answer 22

caution if used around women of child bearing age, pt will need to be counseled on safe handling (don’t touch tablets, they are very potent), and benefit of drug is lost if treatment is stopped.

Question 23

What does Finasteride also treat?

Answer 23

Also treats benign prostrate hyperplasia (BPH)