Finasteride and Cutibacterium (NCT07731802) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingPhase 4
Finasteride and Cutibacterium
40 participantsStarted 2026-08-31
Plain-language summary
High levels of Testosterone causes high amounts of skin bacteria (Cutibacterium Acnes) which can go into the skin during a shoulder replacement surgery and cause a terrible infection.
The goal of this experiment is to have participants take Finasteride, a medication that blocks testosterone production, for 2 weeks and evaluate the following:
* Blood levels of testosterone
* Amount of bacteria on the skin.
Participants will:
* Be assigned to take Finasteride, or a placebo (a look-alike pill with no active medicine) once daily, for 2 weeks
* Have a small sample of their blood collected and their skin swabbed with a Q-tip to determine Testosterone levels and bacteria on the skin
* Blood draw and skin testing will take place before starting Finasteride or the placebo (day 0) and at the end of the experiment (day 14).
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Sex
MALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion We will include the group most impacted by PJI
* Adult males
* Age between 18 and 65 Exclusion
* History of cryptorchidism, hypospadias, or other congenital abnormality of male reproductive tract
* Female sex
* Age younger than 18 or older than 65
* Current use of Finasteride or other 5-alpha reductase inhibitors
* Current use of hormone replacement medications such as testosterone
* Recent antibiotic use within 3 months
* Have had a negative reaction to oral Finasteride before
* Recent use of acne treatment within 3 months
* Self-report very sensitive skin
* Allergic to chlorhexidine or isopropyl alcohol
* Have open wounds on both shoulders
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Cutibacterium skin load
Timeframe: Skin load will be assessed at day 0 and at the end of the study on day 14 of treatment or placebo.
2
Serum Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) Level
Timeframe: levels will be assessed at baseline and after 14 consecutive days of treatment or placebo.