Encyclopedia · antiandrogen
Fluridil
A topical antiandrogen designed to break down in the skin; its only human evidence is one small 2002 trial by its inventors.
What it is
Fluridil is a topical non-steroidal antiandrogen described as highly hydrophobic, degradable in water and not absorbed into the body. Sovak 2002 It is sold as a cosmetic in parts of Europe, and we found no approved drug in the US, EU or UK.
What the studies show
- One trial (43 men with hair loss, 9 months): 2% fluridil vs placebo in men at Norwood stages II to Va. The share of hairs in the growth phase rose from 76% to 85% at 3 months and 87% at 9 months, while placebo stayed unchanged. No fluridil was detected in serum. This measured growth-phase percentage, not hair counts, and the authors were the inventors. Sovak 2002
Side effects and safety
The study found no skin sensitisation or irritation in patch tests, and no hormone or libido changes over the trial. Sovak 2002
Bottom line
One small, short, inventor-run study with a surrogate outcome, and no independent replication in 24 years. It is not a recommended treatment, and there are no later trials, hair counts or long-term data to lean on. Discuss with a doctor.
Studies 1
Sovak M et al. Fluridil, a rationally designed topical agent for androgenetic alopecia: first clinical experience. Dermatol Surg. 2002
Tested: fluridil 2% vs placebo
Result: Anagen share rose from 76% to 85% at 3 months and 87% at 9 months vs unchanged placebo; no fluridil in serum; no hormone or libido changes.
Read the study ↗Related
- RU58841A topical androgen blocker from the 1990s that grew hair in animal and graft models but has no human efficacy trial and is sold online as a research chemical.
- ClascoteroneA topical androgen blocker already approved as an acne cream whose 5% scalp solution reported positive phase 3 results in men; it is not yet approved for hair.
- AlfatradiolA weakly hormonal topical estradiol approved for pattern hair loss in Germany; in the one randomised comparison it only slowed loss while minoxidil grew hair.
- Antiandrogen comparison for hair lossA side-by-side of the drugs, topicals and supplements that work on the androgen pathway, with who they were studied in and how strong the evidence is.