MK-386, an Inhibitor of 5α-Reductase Type 1, Reduces Dihydrotestosterone Concentrations in Serum and Sebum Without Affecting Dihydrotestosterone Concentrations in Semen

This review found that dutasteride is more potent than finasteride as a dual receptor dihydrotestosterone blocker for treating androgenetic alopecia and shares a similar safety profile in terms of fertility, teratogenicity, neurotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity.

This review highlights the use of finasteride, a 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia and male pattern hair loss, noting that it may cause male sexual dysfunction but usually with tolerable side effects that decrease over time, not requiring treatment discontinuation.

In this study, finasteride doses as low as 0.2 mg per day significantly reduced both scalp skin and serum DHT levels in men with androgenetic alopecia.

Both drugs lower DHT levels, with GI198745 being more effective.