Androgenetic Alopecia: Drug Safety and Therapeutic Strategies

January 2018 in “ Expert Opinion on Drug Safety ”

Ion G. Motofei, David L. Rowland, Daniela Luiza Baconi, Mircea Tampa, Maria Isabela Sârbu, Stana Paunica, Vlad Denis Constantin, Cristian Balalau, Ioana Paunica, Simona Roxana Georgescu

androgenetic alopecia 5a-reductase inhibitors topical minoxidil low-level laser therapy finasteride dihydrotestosterone AGA Rogaine LLLT Propecia DHT

TLDR Personalized treatment with inhibitors, minoxidil, and laser therapy helps hair loss.

This document from 5 years ago discusses drug safety and therapeutic strategies for treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA), a type of hair loss caused by genetics and hormones. The paper recommends a personalized approach to treatment using 5a-reductase inhibitors, topical minoxidil, and low-level laser therapy. The authors propose revisiting the use of finasteride, which only partially suppresses dihydrotestosterone and has predictable adverse effects. The article also highlights the negative impact of AGA on patients' quality of life, causing stress, low self-esteem, reduced satisfaction with body image, depression, and anxiety.

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research Finasteride as a Model for Personalized Medicine

5 citations , October 2017 in “Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences”

research Experimental and Early Investigational Drugs for Androgenetic Alopecia

11 citations , July 2017 in “Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs”

New hair loss treatments may include topical medications, injections, and improved transplant methods.

research Neuroactive Steroid Levels and Psychiatric and Andrological Features in Post-Finasteride Patients

58 citations , July 2017 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”

Post-finasteride patients show changed neuroactive steroid levels, possibly causing erectile dysfunction and depression.

research Mesotherapy with Dutasteride in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

24 citations , July 2017 in “International Journal of Trichology”

research The Effectiveness of Treatments for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

178 citations , July 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil, finasteride, and low-level laser light therapy effectively treat hair loss.

research A Study of the Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Males

20 citations , May 2017 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”

Platelet-rich plasma treatment significantly increased hair diameter and density, stopped hair fall, and boosted hair growth in men with hair loss, with no reported side effects.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review

153 citations , March 2017 in “Endocrine”

Male pattern baldness involves genetics, hormones, and needs better treatments.

research Safety Profile of Finasteride: Distribution of Adverse Effects According to Structural and Informational Dichotomies of the Mind/Brain

8 citations , February 2017 in “Clinical Drug Investigation”

Finasteride can cause sexual dysfunction and depression, which may persist and require hormonal treatment.

research Dutasteride in Androgenetic Alopecia: An Update

27 citations , January 2017 in “Current Clinical Pharmacology”

Dutasteride is becoming a popular hair loss treatment, proving more effective than finasteride with similar side effects.

research Quality of Life Assessment in Patients with Alopecia Areata and Androgenetic Alopecia in the People's Republic of China

32 citations , January 2017 in “Patient Preference and Adherence”

Alopecia affects patients' quality of life, with younger patients and longer-lasting hair loss experiencing greater impact.

research Frequency, Severity, and Related Factors of Androgenetic Alopecia in Dermatology Outpatient Clinic: Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Turkey

37 citations , January 2017 in “Anais Brasileiros De Dermatologia”

AGA more common in men, increases with age, linked to family history, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and smoking.

research A Comparative Study of Microneedling with Platelet-Rich Plasma Plus Topical Minoxidil (5%) and Topical Minoxidil (5%) Alone in Androgenetic Alopecia

48 citations , January 2017 in “International Journal of Trichology”

Microneedling with platelet-rich plasma and minoxidil improves hair growth more than just minoxidil in men with hair loss.

research Post-Finasteride Adverse Effects in Male Androgenic Alopecia: A Case Report of Vitiligo

10 citations , January 2017 in “Skin Pharmacology and Physiology”

Finasteride may cause vitiligo, sexual issues, and depression; better treatments and predicting side effects needed.

research Hair Camouflage: A Comprehensive Review

12 citations , December 2016 in “International Journal of Women's Dermatology”

Various hair camouflage options help people with hair loss improve appearance.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: An Update Of Treatment Options

110 citations , August 2016 in “Drugs”

Minoxidil is the only FDA-approved topical drug for treating male or female pattern hair loss, and other medications like finasteride and dutasteride can also increase hair growth.

research Safety and Tolerability of the Dual 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor Dutasteride in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

19 citations , August 2016 in “Annals of Dermatology”

Dutasteride is safe and effective for treating hair loss, but may decrease libido.

research Are Hand Preference And Sexual Orientation Possible Predicting Factors For Finasteride Adverse Effects In Male Androgenic Alopecia?

12 citations , July 2016 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Hand preference and sexual orientation may predict finasteride side effects in male hair loss.

research Finasteride Adverse Effects in Subjects with Androgenic Alopecia: A Possible Therapeutic Approach According to the Lateralization Process of the Brain

21 citations , April 2016 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

Finasteride may cause mental and sexual side effects, with hand preference and sexual orientation possibly affecting severity.

research Guidelines on the Use of Finasteride in Androgenetic Alopecia

33 citations , March 2016 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”

Taking 1 mg of finasteride daily can increase hair count and improve hair appearance, but it may have side effects on sexual function and a potential risk of prostate cancer. It may not be effective for postmenopausal women unless taken in higher doses.

research Classifications of Patterned Hair Loss: A Review

101 citations , January 2016 in “Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery”

Different types of hair loss need specific treatments, and while many classification systems exist, each has its flaws; more research is needed to refine these systems and treatments.

research Prediction of Male-Pattern Baldness from Genotypes

37 citations , October 2015 in “European Journal of Human Genetics”

Genetic data can predict male-pattern baldness with moderate accuracy, especially for early-onset cases in some European men.

research Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Clinical and Pathophysiological Review

91 citations , July 2015 in “Anais Brasileiros De Dermatologia”

Female Pattern Hair Loss affects women's self-esteem and needs more research for better treatment.

research Patients Treated for Male Pattern Hair Loss with Finasteride Show Altered Levels of Neuroactive Steroids in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma After Discontinuation

61 citations , February 2015 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”

Finasteride affects brain and blood steroids, causing lasting sexual and emotional side effects.

research Androgenetic, Diffuse, and Senescent Alopecia in Men: Practical Evaluation and Management

11 citations , January 2015 in “Current problems in dermatology”

The conclusion is that treatments like finasteride and minoxidil can prevent baldness progression and improve hair density, but more research is needed on other therapies.

research Preparation and Clinical Evaluation of Finasteride Gel in the Treatment of Idiopathic Hirsutism

4 citations , January 2015 in “Journal of drug assessment”

Finasteride gel effectively and safely reduces hair thickness in women with excessive hair growth.

research The Female Pattern Hair Loss: Review of Etiopathogenesis and Diagnosis

35 citations , April 2014 in “BioMed Research International”

Female pattern hair loss involves hormonal factors, genetics, and may be linked to low ferritin levels.

research The Endocrinology of Baldness

19 citations , April 2014 in “Hormones”

Hormones and genetics play key roles in male and female baldness, which can affect mental health and may be linked to other health issues.

research Decreased Alcohol Consumption Among Former Male Users of Finasteride with Persistent Sexual Side Effects: A Preliminary Report

27 citations , November 2013 in “Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research”

Finasteride use may lead to less alcohol consumption in men with lasting sexual side effects.

research Guidelines for Management of Androgenetic Alopecia Based on BASP Classification: The Asian Consensus Committee Guideline

29 citations , August 2013 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Use 5% minoxidil or oral finasteride for mild-to-moderate hair loss, combine with hair transplant for severe cases.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: Identification Of Four Genetic Risk Loci And Evidence For The Contribution Of WNT Signaling To Its Etiology

74 citations , June 2013 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Four genetic risk spots found for hair loss, with WNT signaling involved and a link to curly hair.

research Characteristics of Androgenetic Alopecia in Asian Populations

51 citations , August 2012 in “Annals of Dermatology”

Asian hair loss differs from Europeans; consider individual needs and psychological well-being for treatment.

research Quality of Life Assessment in Male Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia: Results of a Prospective, Multicenter Study

101 citations , August 2012 in “Annals of Dermatology”

Men with hair loss experience lower quality of life, worsened by factors like age, severity, and treatment history.

research Guidelines for the Management of Androgenetic Alopecia (2010)

38 citations , February 2012 in “Journal of Dermatology”

Use minoxidil for hair loss treatment, and finasteride for men.

research S1 Guideline for Diagnostic Evaluation in Androgenetic Alopecia in Men, Women, and Adolescents

151 citations , January 2011 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Guidelines for diagnosing common hair loss include detailed history, clinical examination, and various diagnostic techniques.

research Molecular Basis of Androgenetic Alopecia: From Androgen to Paracrine Mediators Through Dermal Papilla

122 citations , January 2011 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

Male pattern baldness involves hormones and cell signals affecting hair growth.

research Evidence for Two Independent Functional Variants for Androgenetic Alopecia Around the Androgen Receptor Gene

26 citations , November 2010 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Two gene areas linked to male pattern baldness found, more research needed.

research Prevalence of Androgenetic Alopecia in China: A Community-Based Study in Six Cities

126 citations , April 2010 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Baldness is more common in Chinese men than women, increasing with age, and is influenced by genetics.

research Finasteride 5mg and Sexual Side Effects: How Many Are Related to a Nocebo Phenomenon?

225 citations , November 2007 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Knowing about finasteride's sexual side effects increases reported dysfunction.

research Androgenetic Alopecia in Women

139 citations , June 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

Androgenetic alopecia in women needs more research and better management strategies.

research Androgen-Inducible TGF-β1 from Balding Dermal Papilla Cells Inhibits Epithelial Cell Growth: A Clue to Understanding Paradoxical Effects of Androgen on Human Hair Growth

190 citations , October 2002 in “The FASEB journal”

Androgens may cause hair loss by increasing TGF-beta1 from scalp cells, which inhibits hair cell growth.

research Finasteride Cream in Hirsutism

27 citations , January 2001 in “Endocrine Practice”

Finasteride cream reduces hair growth in women with hirsutism, but more research needed.

research The psychosocial consequences of androgenetic alopecia: a review of the research literature

180 citations , September 1999 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Hair loss affects self-esteem and quality of life; treatments can help.

8 / 8 results

research Androgenetic Alopecia: Drug Safety and Therapeutic Strategies

20 citations , January 2018 in “Expert Opinion on Drug Safety”

Personalized treatment with inhibitors, minoxidil, and laser therapy helps hair loss.

research Superiority of Dutasteride Over Finasteride in Hair Regrowth and Reversal of Miniaturization in Men With Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Controlled Open-Label, Evaluator-Blinded Study

33 citations , January 2017 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”

Dutasteride is more effective than finasteride at increasing hair count and reversing hair thinning in men with hair loss, but both have similar side effects.

research Luncheon Symposium: Update on the Efficacy and Safety of Dutasteride in the Management of Androgenetic Alopecia

January 2015 in “프로그램북(구 초록집)”

Dutasteride is effective and safe for treating common hair loss, and it's more potent than finasteride, leading to better hair growth and thickness.

research 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

97 citations , March 2014 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Dutasteride 0.5 mg works better than finasteride and placebo for increasing hair in men with hair loss.

research The Importance of Dual 5α-Reductase Inhibition in the Treatment of Male Pattern Hair Loss: Results of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study of Dutasteride Versus Finasteride

215 citations , December 2006 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Dutasteride more effective for hair growth, but has more side effects than finasteride.