5α-Reductase inhibitor
5α-Reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs), also known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT) blockers, are a class of medications with antiandrogenic effects which are used primarily in the treatment of enlarged prostate and scalp hair loss. They are also sometimes used to treat excess hair growth in women and as a component of hormone therapy for transgender women.
| 5α-Reductase inhibitor | |
|---|---|
| Drug class | |
Dutasteride, one of the most widely used 5α-reductase inhibitors. | |
| Class identifiers | |
| Synonyms | Dihydrotestosterone blockers; DHT blockers |
| Use | Benign prostatic hyperplasia, pattern hair loss, hirsutism, feminizing HRT |
| ATC code | G04CB |
| Biological target | 5α-Reductase (1, 2, 3) |
| Chemical class | Steroids; Azasteroids |
| Legal status | |
| In Wikidata | |
These agents inhibit the enzyme 5α-reductase, which is involved in the metabolic transformations of a variety of endogenous steroids. 5-ARIs are most known for preventing conversion of testosterone, the major androgen sex hormone, to the more potent androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT), in certain androgen-associated disorders.
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