Ketaconazole as a Treatment For Hair Loss
Ketaconazole is a known drug used to treat a wide
spectrum of fungal infections affecting the mouth, urinary tract, lungs and
blood. These include ringworm,
candidiasis (yeast infection
commonly found in the throat, urinary bladder and genital parts),
blastomycosis (fungal infection occurring in the blood), jock itch,
histoplasmosis (fungal infection
that affects the lungs), tinea
versicolor (rash on trunk or proximal area caused by yeast infection),
and Cushing’s syndrome (a hormone disorder caused by high levels of cortisol,
the so-called “stress hormone”, in the blood). It is also used to treat
fungal infections affecting the skin and nails such as athlete’s foot,
leishmaniasis (a skin disease caused by the bite of certain species
of sand fly), dandruff, and eumycetoma
(a severe fungal disease affecting the foot caused by bacterial spores). It
has also been used for treating hair loss.
Ketaconazole acts as a mild antiandrogen. Androgens are
male hormones that stimulate the male characteristics.
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a type of androgen
that contributes to the shrinking of the hair follicles. When hair follicles
shrink, the life cycle of the hair shortens, thereby resulting to hair
miniaturization. Ketaconazole then helps slow down the process by inhibiting
DHT to bind with the hair follicles. Studies have shown that ketaconazole
also reduces the activity of the sebaceous glands, which means that sebum
(the oil on the surface of the skin) production is also reduced. Too much
sebum may clog and disrupt the normal process of hair growth. Ketaconazole
also reduces the inflammation of the scalp which is partly responsible for
hair loss.
Application and Dosage
Ketaconazole comes in a topical cream/gel/foam,
shampoo, and tablet form. Ketaconazole cream is usually applied on the
affected area once a day for two to six weeks. For ketaconazole shampoo, an
ample amount should be applied (after wetting the hair) to the affected area
and a large area surrounding it. Shampoo should be left for 5 minutes before
rinsing. Ketaconazole shampoo is usually used 3-4 times a week for 2 months.
Conditions should improve during the first month of treatment.
The Ketaconazole drug, which comes in a 200mg tablet,
is taken once a day with or without food. It should be taken at the same
time each day. Oral formulation of ketaconazole, however, is not advised for
treating hair loss as it contains higher level of drug concentrates than the
safe limit.
Precautions
Patients must be informed of some precautions before
taking or applying ketaconazole. These include:
·
Drug
Interactions. Patients must
inform their doctors of any allergies to the active components of
ketaconazole, prescription or non-prescription medications, vitamins, and
herbal products before taking or applying ketaconazole. Antacids and
antihistamines must be taken two hours after taking ketaconazole drug.
Serious, possibly fatal, drug interactions may occur when ketaconazole drug
is taken with other drugs.
·
Pregnant Women. As with any
antiandrogen drug, pregnant women are not allowed to take ketaconazole. A
pregnancy category C drug, this may affect the development of the fetus when
high dosages are taken. Breast-feeding is not allowed when taking
ketaconazole.
·
Broken
Skin and Asthma.
Ketaconazole cream or shampoo should not be applied to broken skin or scalp
and open wound because this may cause skin irritations and may have unwanted
effects on the skin. Patient must inform the doctor before using topical
formulations of ketaconazole especially when he or she has asthma.
·
Liver,
Kidney, Heart Problems and Prostate Cancer.
Consultation with the doctor is required when the patient has
occurring liver problems and/or prostate cancer. There have been some
reported incidents of prostate cancer patients who died after taking
ketaconazole drug. Adjustments in the dosage may be required for patients
with kidney and heart problems.
Side Effects of Ketaconazole
Intake or application of ketaconazole may have side
effects depending on the dosage. Some of the common side effects of
ketaconazole include the following:
Topical Formulations
·
itching and irritation
·
dry skin
·
changes in hair texture and blisters on scalp
·
headaches
·
hair shedding (at the beginning of the
treatment)
·
allergic reactions (such as rashes, hives,
swelling)
Oral Drug
·
diarrhea
·
unusual weakness and easy bruising
·
nausea and vomiting
·
drowsiness
·
menstrual irregularities
·
impotence
·
increased sensitivity of eyes to light
·
breast tenderness or enlargement
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