17-ester, amide, and ketone derivatives of 3-oxo-4-azasteroids as 5A-reductase inhibitors

A compound of the formula:

• ##STR97## wherein:
• dashed line "a" can represent a double bond when present;
• R is selected from hydrogen, methyl and ethyl;
• R.sub.20 is selected from hydrogen and methyl;
• n is an integer from 0 to 10;
• R.sub.4 is selected from:
• (a) COR.sub.1, where R.sub.1 is C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl, substituted C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl, and heteroaryl;
• (b) CONHR.sub.2, where R.sub.2 is substituted phenyl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, or C.sub.7 -C.sub.12 cycloalkyl;
• and
• (c) CO.sub.2 R.sub.3, where R.sub.3 is C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl, substituted C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl, or C.sub.7 -C.sub.12 cycoalkyl;
• wherein aryl is selected from phenyl, benzyl, 1-and 2-phenethyl and naphthyl;
• wherein heteroaryl is selected from pyridyl, pyrryl, thienyl, isothiazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, tetrazolyl, pyrazinyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, benzothienyl, isobenzofuryl, pyrazolyl, indolyl, isoxazolyl, triazolyl, furanyl, oxazolyl, and thiadiazolyl;
• wherein cycloalkyl is selected from 1- and 2-adamantyl, norbomyl, and bicyclo(2.2.2)octyl;
• wherein the above aryl or heteroaryl radical can further be substituted with one or two substituents;
• and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.