Dose-response effect of depot leuprolide acetate on serum androgens In hirsute women

Objective: To determine the dose of leuprolide acetate (LA) needed to maximally suppress serum androgens in hirsute women. Design: Prospective, dose-escalation study. Setting: Outpatient endocrinology clinic. Patients: Eight hyperandrogenic women with moderate to severe hirsutism. Interventions: A LA dose-response study was done in women receiving depot LA plus estrogen-progestin replacement. Main Outcome Measures: Serum concentrations of T, androstenedione (A), and basal and GnRH-stimulated LH. Results: The lowest LA dose (3.75 mg/mo) suppressed serum T by 62% +/- 6% and A by 56% +/- 7%. No further decrease in serum androgens was seen with doses up to 15 mg/mo. Maximal suppression of basal and stimulated LH was also seen with the lowest dose of LA. Conclusions: As opposed to results previously published in children with precocious puberty, the 3.75 mg dose of depot LA is sufficient to maximally suppress serum androgens in hyperandrogenic women.