Claims for Patent: 5,547,957

Summary for Patent: 5,547,957

Title:	Method of treating androgenic alopecia with 5-.alpha. reductase inhibitors
Abstract:	The instant invention involves a method of treating and/or reversing androgenic alopecia and promoting hair growth, and methods of treating acne vulgaris, seborrhea, and female hirsutism, by administering to a patient in need of such treatment a 5.alpha.-reductase 2 inhibitor, such as finasteride, in a dosage amount under 5 mgs/day.
Inventor(s):	Gormley; Glenn J. (Westfield, NJ), Kaufman; Keith D. (Westfield, NJ), Stoner; Elizabeth (Westfield, NJ), Waldstreicher; Joanne (Scotch Plains, NJ)
Assignee:	Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, NJ)
Application Number:	08/214,905
Patent Claims:	1. A method of treating male pattern baldness comprising orally administering to a male person_having a balding area 17.beta.-(N-tert-butylcarbamoyl)-4-aza-5.alpha.- androst-1-ene-3-one in a dosage amount from 0.05 to 3.0 mgs/day at least until growth of hair can be detected in the balding area by haircount analysis of the balding area. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the dosage amount is from about 0.05 to 1.0 mg/day. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the dosage amount is about 0.05 mg/day. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the dosage amount is about 0.2 mgs/day. 5. A method of arresting and reversing male pattern baldness comprising orally administering to a bald or balding male person having a balding area 17.beta.-(N-tert-butylcarbamoyl)-4-aza-2.alpha.- androst-1-ene-3-one in a dosage amount from 0.05 to 3.0 mgs/day at least until growth of hair can be detected in the balding or area by haircount analysis of the balding area. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the dosage amount is about 1.0 mg/day. 7. The method of claim 5 wherein the dosage amount is about 1.0 mg/day.