We have several patients asking about the medication, dutasteride, for their hair loss. At the Gabel Center, we practice evidence-based medicine in our comprehensive treatment recommendations for our hair loss patients. Androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male pattern baldness, is a prevalent condition affecting millions of men worldwide. It is primarily driven by the androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which impacts genetically predisposed individuals and those experiencing symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. This condition not only affects physical appearance but also has significant psychological implications, prompting many to seek effective treatments. Fortunately, Androgens stimulate hair growth and can be used to treat male pattern baldness and hair thinning. In this journal article by Harcha, et al., they studied the efficacy and safety profile of dutasteride capsules compared to placebo and finasteride.
Study Overview
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology provides valuable insights into the efficacy and safety of dutasteride, a dual 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, compared to finasteride and placebo in stimulating hair follicles and treating androgenetic alopecia. The study was conducted across multiple centers globally, involving 917 male participants aged between 20 and 50 years who were randomized to receive varying doses of dutasteride (0.02, 0.1, or 0.5 mg daily), finasteride (1 mg daily), or a placebo over a 24-week period.
Key Findings
Efficacy
Male Pattern Baldness Hair Regrowth: The study demonstrated that dutasteride significantly increased hair count and width in a dose-dependent manner. Specifically, the 0.5 mg dose of dutasteride showed superior results in increasing hair count within a 2.54-cm diameter area compared to both finasteride and placebo.
Photographic Assessments: Panel assessments corroborated these findings, with dutasteride 0.5 mg showing marked improvement in hair growth from baseline at week 24 as well as preventing further hair loss.
Safety
Adverse Events: The incidence and severity of adverse events were similar across all treatment groups, indicating that dutasteride is well-tolerated. Common adverse events included nasopharyngitis and decreased libido, but these were not significantly different from those observed with finasteride or placebo.
Long-term Safety: While no cases of high grade prostate cancer were reported during the study period, long-term data are necessary to fully understand the implications of prolonged dutasteride use on male sex hormones.
Conclusions
The study concludes that dutasteride at a dose of 0.5 mg daily is more effective than finasteride in promoting hair growth in men with early androgenetic alopecia while maintaining a comparable safety profile. This makes dutasteride a promising alternative for those seeking treatment for male pattern baldness.
Implications for Hair Follicle Treatment
Given its dual inhibition of both type 1 and type 2 5-alpha reductase enzymes, dutasteride offers a comprehensive approach to reducing DHT levels, thus potentially offering better outcomes for patients seeking to treat androgenetic alopecia. However, as with any medical treatment, patients must consult with healthcare professionals to tailor therapy to their specific needs and monitor for any adverse effects over time, as this study does not show the impacts on female pattern hair loss or the prostate gland.
This study represents a significant step forward in understanding and expanding treatment options for androgenetic alopecia, providing hope for improved management of this common condition.
To find out if you are a candidate for medical treatment with finasteride, dutasteride, or hair restoration surgery, please contact Dr. Steven Gabel at the Gabel Center in Portland, Oregon, at 503-693-1118.
Gubelin Harcha W, Barboza Martínez J, Tsai TF, Katsuoka K, Kawashima M, Tsuboi R, Barnes A, Ferron-Brady G, Chetty D. A randomized, active- and placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of different doses of dutasteride versus placebo and finasteride in the treatment of male subjects with androgenetic alopecia. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 Mar;70(3):489-498.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2013.10.049. Epub 2014 Jan 9. PMID: 24411083.
