What is Nizoral?
Nizoral is the topical 2% ketoconazole liquid preparation Original manufactured by Janssen
Pharmaceutical. Nizoral shampoo is commonly used to stop hair loss, promote hair regrowth
treat dandruff and other skin infections

How Nizoral Stops Hair Loss and Promotes Hair Regrowth
Anti-inflammatoryand Sebum Reduction
The 2% solution of ketoconazole found in Nizoral has been proven to reduce local inflammation
on the scalp. This inflammation is mostly caused by colonizing fungi and the immune response
to the damage done to hair follicles by androgens such as DHT as well as these causative fungi.

Ketoconazole has a direct anti-inflammatory property that can help stop these inflammatory
reactions. Such inflammations will definitely reduce the output of the hair follicle cells and,
therefore, disrupt the hair growth cycle. In addition, ketoconazole can also indirectly reduce scalp
inflammation by its anti-fungal actions. By ridding the scalp of the fungi that trigger inflammatory
responses, the active ingredient of Nizoral addresses scalp inflammation by two mechanisms.
Besides its anti-inflammatory properties, ketoconazole can also reduce sebum production in the
scalp. By turning down the secretion of sebum from the sebaceous glands attached to the hair
follicles, ketoconazole prevents the skin pores of the scalp from clogging up. It frees the path of
hair follicles and provides the right environment for new hair growth.

As An Antiandrogen
Androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss. It involves the conversion of
testos.terone to DHT in hair follicles. The accumulation of DHT in the hair follicles soon leads
to the rapid decline in the rate of hair growth.The antiandrogen property of ketoconazole is chiefly
responsible for the effectiveness of Nizoral shampoo in the treatment of hair loss. There are 2
mechanisms by which ketoconazole acts as an antiandrogen.

The more important mechanism is blockage of androgen hormone syntheses at the adrenal
gland and testicles. This is commonly achieved with high dose of oral ketoconazole. Since
Nizoral is a topical solution of ketoconazole and the active ingredient is poorly absorbed through
the skin, this mechanism contributes very little to the effectiveness of the shampoo in hair loss
treatment.

However, the oral route and androgen suppression at the testicles are responsible for the use
of ketoconazole in the treatment of prostate cancer.

The second mechanism is the inhibition of androgen receptors. Ketoconazole is an antagonist
at these receptors. This means that it blocks androgens such as testos.terone and DHT from
binding to these sites. When these androgens are blocked from these receptors, they cannot
harm hair follicles. This is secondary mechanism for the effectiveness of oral ketoconazole pills.
Even at high doses, oral ketoconazole cannot effectively block androgen receptors. However,
topical ketoconazole serves as an antiandrogen chiefly by this mechanism.

The ketoconazole permeating the scalp from Nizoral shampoo can block the androgen receptors
found in hair follicle cells. Therefore, Nizoral can provide a local but potent antiandrogen effect
on the scalp. By blocking DHT from binding to these receptors, Nizoral stops hair loss and allows
the hair follicles to recover enough to resume the production of new hair.