Lapisteride
Lapisteride
Lapisteride (pronunciation: la-pis-te-ride) is a pharmaceutical drug used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness). It is a 5α-reductase inhibitor, which works by blocking the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Etymology
The term "Lapisteride" is derived from the Latin word 'Lapis' meaning 'stone' and the suffix '-steride' which is commonly used in pharmaceutical nomenclature to denote substances that inhibit or interfere with the body's natural steroid hormones.
Usage
Lapisteride is primarily used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, a condition characterized by the enlargement of the prostate gland. It is also used to treat androgenetic alopecia, a common form of hair loss in men.
Mechanism of Action
As a 5α-reductase inhibitor, Lapisteride works by blocking the enzyme 5α-reductase, which is responsible for converting testosterone into its more potent form, dihydrotestosterone. By inhibiting this conversion, Lapisteride helps to reduce the levels of DHT in the body, which can help to shrink an enlarged prostate and slow down or stop hair loss.
Related Terms
- 5α-reductase inhibitor
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia
- Androgenetic alopecia
- Testosterone
- Dihydrotestosterone
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Lapisteride
- Wikipedia's article - Lapisteride
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