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17α-estradiol

Alfatradiol
Skeletal formula of alfatradiol
Ball-and-stick model of the alfatradiol molecule
Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.com International Drug Names
Pregnancy
category
  • US: C (Risk not ruled out)
  • No studies
Routes of
administration
Topical
ATC code
  • none
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
Synonyms 17-Epiestradiol
CAS Number
PubChem CID
ChemSpider
UNII
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ECHA InfoCard 100.000.322
Chemical and physical data
Formula C18H24O2
Molar mass 272.37 g/mol
3D model (Jmol)
  

Alfatradiol (INN) (brand names Ell-Cranell Alpha, Pantostin in Germany), also known as 17α-estradiol or as 17-epiestradiol, is a steroidal weak estrogen and potent 5α-reductase inhibitor used topically in the treatment of androgenic alopecia (hair loss) in men and women. It is a stereoisomer of the endogenous steroid hormone 17β-estradiol.

Alfatradiol is used in form of an ethanolic solution for topical application on the scalp. Similarly to other drugs against alopecia, topical or oral, it has to be applied continuously to prevent further hair loss. Regrowth of hair that was already lost is only possible to a limited extent. In general, advanced alopecia does not respond well to medical treatment, which has historically been thought to be a consequence of the hair roots being lost.

A university-led study (including several authors who are advisors to companies such as Pfizer) in 103 women comparing alfatradiol to minoxidil, another topical hair loss treatment, found the latter to be more effective. In contrast to minoxidil, alfatradiol did not result in an increase of hair density or thickness, but only in slowing down or stabilization of hair loss in this study. In an earlier study, no systemic side effects were noted, and 17α-estradiol was found to reduce androgenic hair loss, though it was not effective at growing new hair.

Nothing is known about the use of alfatradiol during pregnancy or lactation, or in patients under 18 years of age. The package leaflet recommends against using it under these circumstances.


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