A method of controlling the rate and degree of permeation in mammalian skin, mucosa, or other permeable membrane of a tricyclic compound of the formula ##STR14## wherein R is COR1 wherein R1 is loweralkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, which comprises application to the skin, mucosa or other permeable membrane a composition consisting essentially of an antiandrogenic tricyclic compound of the formula ##S