The journey through hair loss is deeply personal. Finding the right treatment can be difficult with an array of medications, concentrations, and formulations on the market. At iBeauty.com, we’re here to help, with balanced, well-researched guides to all the hair loss treatments. Today we turn the spotlight on Pyrilutamide for hair loss.
If you’re reading this, maybe you’ve found that conventional, FDA-approved treatments like minoxidil and finasteride haven’t met your expectations, or perhaps they’ve produced side effects. Now, you’re searching for an alternative solution. Enter Pyrilutamide – a promising new and potentially game-changing treatment. In this article, we’ll delve into an in-depth exploration of Pyrilutamide, providing you with everything you need to know about this new approach to hair loss treatment.
You might have heard of pyrilutamide before. In some hair loss forums, it is referred to by its chemical compound number, KX-826. Similar in structure to RU-58841, which you can read about here, pyrilutamide is a new drug developed by Kintor Pharmaceutical, a Chinese biotechnology company. Pyrilutamide is currently undergoing phase II and phase III trials both in the US and China for male and female androgenetic alopecia (AGA).
Kintor is also developing another hair loss treatment, which at this point is known only as GT20029. GT20029 is a drug designed to target and knock out the androgen receptor in hair follicles, which could provide faster hair regrowth than currently available treatments. With, phase I trials completed in the US and China just this year, it’s still early days for this new treatment so watch this space for more information.
Pyrilutamide functions by defending our hair follicles from the hormones responsible for the hair loss process. To really understand how pyrilutamide works, let’s take a closer look at the root cause of hair loss.
In the scalp, testosterone is transformed into a substance called Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by an enzyme known as 5-alpha reductase. DHT is a key player in hair loss – it latches onto hormone receptors known as androgen receptors in our hair follicles and activates genes that shorten the hair growth phase. Over time, this process leads to thinning hair, which is noticeable in the crown, temples, and frontal areas.
Pyrilutamide is a non-steroidal anti-androgen (NSAA). NSAAs like act as a shield that blocks testosterone and DHT from binding with the androgen receptor. This interruption helps prevent the thinning effect of DHT.
If you’ve been navigating the hair loss treatment landscape, you’ve undoubtedly come across the well-known treatments such as minoxidil, finasteride, and dutasteride. These conventional treatments function by combating the effects of DHT on the growth cycle of your hair follicles.
Finasteride and Dutasteride are 5-alpha reductase (5AR) inhibitors, which prevent the conversion of testosterone to DHT. They can be taken orally or applied directly to the scalp. As pyrilutamide is designed to block the androgen receptor locally and not affect testosterone directly, the hope is that it will have fewer side effects. You can read about 5AR blockers like dutasteride and finasteride in our guides.
Minoxidil, on the other hand, is a vasodilator, meaning it widens blood vessels. This increases the blood supply to the scalp, enhancing the supply of oxygen and nutrients needed for hair growth. Minoxidil also speeds up the resting phase of hair growth and pushes dormant hair follicles to enter the growth phase ahead of the natural schedule.
RU58841 is another drug that shares a similar mode of action with pyrilutamide. They work downstream to finasteride and dutasteride, blocking the action of DHT on the androgen receptor instead of affecting testosterone conversion. This could mean fewer systemic side effects. Unlike pyrilutamide, RU58841 has never been tested in human clinical trials, although anecdotal evidence of its positive effects can be found online. Interestingly, RU-58841 was initially developed to treat acne vulgaris and excessive hair growth before researchers found that it could be used to treat AGA. Pyrilutamide on the other hand, was specifically developed as a hair loss treatment. You can read more in our guide to RU58841 here.
Clinical trial results are crucial in unveiling the safety, effectiveness, and optimal dosage of a new drug. As Pyrilutamide is one of the newest hair loss treatments and none of the trials has been published, there is a limited amount of information. Here’s what we know so far.
Phase II trials are conducted to test the effectiveness and safety of a drug for a particular indication. Here are the phase II trials involving pyrilutamide that are currently underway.
The results of a phase II trial of Pyrilutamide in male pattern hair loss were presented at an Annual Meeting of the Chinese Hair Research Society by Kintor scientists. This study, completed in 2021, involved 120 male participants with varying degrees of hair loss. They were divided into groups, each receiving different doses of pyrilutamide 5mg (0.5%) once or twice daily or 2.5mg (0.25%) twice daily or a placebo. According to the results, 84% of participants tolerated the treatment well. In the 16% who noted side effects, scalp itching was reported the most. Importantly, no serious drug reactions were reported. The best outcomes were observed in those who applied a twice-daily 5mg dose of Pyrilutamide, who showed a substantial increase in hair density compared to the placebo group.
In the US, 120 male patients have been enrolled in a trial of Pyrilutamide in AGA. This study has been completed, but the full results haven’t been published. They are expected to be released later this year. According to a press release from Kintor in May 2023. the best outcomes were in the 5mg, twice-daily group. Most side effects were mild and local scalp irritation. There were present at a similar rate to the placebo group, suggesting that the drug vehicle, propylene glycol and ethanol, were responsible rather than pyrilutamide itself.
In China, female patients have been enrolled in a trial of Pyrilutamide for the treatment of female AGA. This will involve 160 patients and will assess the change from baseline in TAHC over 24 weeks.
Phase III trials are designed to confirm the effectiveness of a drug, monitor side effects, and compare it to commonly used treatments
A Phase III study of pyrilutamide is underway in China. This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-regional study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 5mg (0.5% concentration) twice daily, in treating male pattern hair loss. This will involve 416 patients and will assess the change from baseline in TAHC over 24 weeks. The data from this trial is expected to be released at the end of 2023, according to this press release.
No phase III trials are currently recruiting or underway for female patients.
Drawing data from of studies, press releases, and presentations by the drug developers, we’ve compiled the following information to address your most frequently asked questions about pyrilutamide. It’s crucial to remember that this does not constitute medical advice or an endorsement to start this medication. Pyrilutamide is still under trial and not officially approved for use, and we strongly discourage sourcing it from grey market suppliers.
If you’re exploring pyrilutamide as a treatment option, it might be because you’ve experienced side effects with other treatments. They can be a deal breaker, even if the medication has had a positive effect on your hair growth. Pyrilutamide is a topical treatment that aims to target the androgen receptors in the hair follicle, which in theory, should minimize the risk of side effects like erectile dysfunction.
In the small scale phase II clinical trial, 16% of patients in the pyrilutamide phase II trial experienced side effects. Among these, itching was the most common, affecting 6% of patients. Contact dermatitis was the next most common, with 2.5% of patients affected. According to data from the Kintor prospectus, phase I safety trials in the US and China reported that all adverse events related to the drug were contact dermatitis and all were mild.
As a topical treatment, the risk of systemic side effects such as erectile dysfunction, delayed ejaculation, and decreased libido is expected to be low, given its limited absorption into the bloodstream via the scalp. The trial results so far support this idea, however, until the Phase III trials’ results become available, we cannot say with certainty how likely (or not) these potential side effects are.
When you are losing hair, time is of the essence. We understand that it is important for you to think about the timeline of results with any new medication. Based on leaked trial data, it seems that pyrilutamide takes around 6-12 weeks to positively influence hair count and hair thickness, but we would advise waiting for formal results to be published before making any firm conclusions.
Pyrilutamide is a formulated as topical solution to be applied to the scalp. The exact formulation used in Kintor’s clinical trial is unknown at this moment. Currently, pyrilutamide solution is generally dissolved in a propylene glycol –ethanol solution. As with other topical formulations, pyrilutamide is designed to be applied to the scalp after the hair has been washed and dried. The will likely need to be left on the scalp for some time to be absorbed.
While we eagerly await definitive answers, ongoing research continues to explore the optimal dosage and frequency of Pyrilutamide. This could vary from person to person depending on sensitivity to side effects or responsiveness to treatment. The ongoing phase III trial in China is currently focusing on a twice-daily dosage of 5mg, building upon the promising results observed with this dosage in the phase II trials.
In terms of frequency, using the medication twice daily appears to be more effective. This is based on results from the Chinese phase II trial, which revealed a higher hair count increase at 18 weeks in the group applying 2.5mg twice daily versus the 5mg once daily group.
It’s important to choose a hair loss treatment that doesn’t interfere with your day-to-day. With topical treatments, wetting the hair with water or sweat can wash away the medication. For active people, timing your applications around activities is key. If this seems like an inconvenience, you can consider oral treatments like minoxidil, which can suit an active lifestyle without these limitations. Find out more about oral treatments like minoxidil in our complete guide, here.
If you are wondering how to combine your daily hair styling routine with Pyrilutamide treatment, you’re not alone. Many people will wonder about using their favorite hair fibers and styling products alongside Pyrilutamide.
It’s likely that you won’t need to give up your favorite hair styling products or fibers but as with any hair loss treatment, timing is crucial to ensure the effectiveness. It’s likely that you would need to apply Pyrilutamide first, allowing it to fully absorb into your scalp before you start your styling routine. This way, you’d be ensuring that the medicine gets maximum contact with your scalp, optimizing its effects.
Caring for your hair involves more than just applying Pyrilutamide; it also requires a comprehensive approach to your lifestyle. A balanced diet, with a balance of essential vitamins, minerals, and protein, is essential for healthy hair. Regular scalp massages can stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles, promoting growth. Additionally, it’s important to manage stress levels, as chronic stress can disrupt your hair’s growth cycle. Try to limit heat and chemical styling that can weaken hair and avoid habits like smoking which impair blood circulation to your scalp and increase free radical damage. Combining preventive measures with your Pyrilutamide treatment will provide the most beneficial results.
Most hair loss treatments need to be used long term and pyrilutamide is likely to be the same. However, until more trial data becomes available, we cannot recommend long-term use as a safe treatment option.
Like any drug, proper storage of Pyrilutamide is crucial to preserve its effectiveness. Pyrilutamide comes in a vehicle of propylene glycol and ethanol. Water should be avoided as it can degrade the compound. For optimum stability, Pyrilutamide solution should be stored away from sunlight, preferably in a dark area at 0 – 4°C. If needed, it can be stored at room temperature for short-term periods of one to two months.
Pyrilutamide Availability and Legal Aspects: What You Need to Know
Pyrilutamide is undergoing phase III testing, which is the last stage of clinical trials before it will be released onto the market. Data from the phase III trial is expected to be published at the end of 2023. According to this document, Pyrilutamide is under patent by Kintor until 2030.
You can find Pyrilutamide being sold online through unofficial channels. However, these ‘grey market’ offerings are risky. Despite the sellers’ claims of testing and purity, their authenticity can’t always be guaranteed. It’s worth noting that in the past, some online vendors of such medications have been found selling impure products. Moreover, the full safety and efficacy data for Pyrilutamide isn’t available yet. Therefore, it’s best to stay cautious and steer clear of these routes until the medication is officially released and approved
Conclusion
Embarking on a hair loss treatment journey is a personal and significant decision. You’re not just choosing a product, but a path that could potentially redefine your self-image and confidence. As we’ve explored, Pyrilutamide is emerging as a promising player in the arena of hair loss treatments. Its unique mechanism of action, positive preliminary trial results, and compatibility with lifestyle make it an attractive option. However, it’s important to remember that it’s still undergoing rigorous testing, and its availability is currently limited. As always, consult with your healthcare professional before starting any new treatment. We look forward to sharing more about Pyrilutamide and other breakthroughs in hair loss treatment as the science evolves.
I have edited the tone of the FAQs to give an idea of information from what we know from the clinical trials and mentioned that this advice is not an endorsement to take it.
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