Merck + Co., Inc.

W J VandenHeuvel

Gary H Rasmusson

Josephine R Carlin

The compounds of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R is selected from hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, and R.sup.1 is C.sub.1-12 straight or branched chain alkyl wherein one of the hydrogens is substituted by hydroxy, carboxylic acid or C.sub.1-4 alkyl ester, and A is --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 or --CH.dbd.CH--, and pharmaceutical formulations of the above compounds are active as testosterone 5.alpha.-reductase inhibitors and thus are useful for treatment of acne, seborrhea, female hirsutism or benign prostatic hypertrophy.

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Princeton, NJ, United States of America

W J VandenHeuvel