Finasteride Rx
Finasteride is a compound that reduces DHT (dihydrotestosterone) – a hormone that has been causally linked to androgenic alopecia.Regular use of Finasteride has been scientifically demonstrated to decrease hair loss and increase hair regrowth.
Strength
What is Finasteride?
Finasteride’s primary medical use is in managing benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). However, owing to its ability to reduce DHT, it's frequently prescribed off-label by many physicians to combat male pattern hair loss, also known as androgenic alopecia (AGA). These drugs inhibit the enzyme type 2 5α-reductase which catalyzes the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. The overactivity of this enzyme causes an increase in dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is associated with the emergence of androgenetic alopecia (AGA).
What makes Finasteride special?
Finasteride is the most well-studied and one of the most powerful hair loss treatment available. It comes in both oral and topical forms, but only the oral form of finasteride has been approved by the FDA to treat AGA.
It stops AGA progression in 80-90% of men and, on average, leads to a 10% increase in hair count over two years. Beyond two years, finasteride users tend to see hair maintenance – though some see continued hair count increases.
Long Term Usage of Finasteride
UCSF's Department of Dermatology conducted a study in which men with AGA were randomized to receive finasteride (1 mg/d) or placebo for 192 weeks.
Finasteride showed a positive impact on hair growth. By week 192, there was a 21.6% increase in hair weight compared to the starting point, while the placebo group experienced a 24.5% decrease from the starting point. This resulted in a significant 46.0% difference in hair weight increase between the finasteride and placebo groups, showing that finasteride was notably effective (P < .001).
Hair count also improved with finasteride at these weeks. By week 192, there was a 7.2% increase in hair count from the beginning, whereas the placebo group had a 13.0% decrease. This indicated a 20.3% difference in hair count improvement between the finasteride and placebo groups, which was statistically significant (P < .05).
Studies
Department of Dermatology, University of California, San FranciscoTitle: Changes in hair weight in men with androgenetic alopecia after treatment with finasteride (1 mg daily): Three- and 4-year results
Key Takeaways
Finasteride has a direct link to increased hair weight (21.6% increase from baseline)Finasteride has a direct link to increased hair count (7.2% increase from baseline)Finasteride was generally well tolerated.Tokyo Memorial Clinic HirayamaTitle: Evaluation of efficacy and safety of finasteride 1 mg in 3177 Japanese men with androgenetic alopecia
Key Takeaways
The overall effect of hair growth was seen in 2230 of 2561 men (87.1%)The response rate improved with increasing duration of treatment.Adverse reactions occurred in 0.7% (23/3177) of men; seven men discontinued treatment based on risk-benefit considerations.Additional Links & Studies
Finasteride: A Review of its Use in Male Pattern Hair Loss
A Systematic Review of Topical Finasteride in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men and Women
Long-Term Effects of Finasteride on Prostate Cancer Mortality
Response to Microneedling Treatment in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia Who Failed to Respond to Conventional Therapy
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Meet the Team
Hair Loss Medical Advisors
William Rassman
MD, Founder of the New Hair Institute (NHI)
Heidi Goodarzi, M.D.
Medical, Surgical, and Cosmetic Dermatologist
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