Combined Treatment with Oral Finasteride and Topical Minoxidil in Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized and Comparative Study in Chinese Patients
September 2015
in “
Dermatologic Therapy
”
![Image of study](/images/research/f4711414-0bcf-437c-99a0-2f2b706ff7cc/medium/3644.jpg)
TLDR Finasteride and minoxidil together work best for male hair loss.
A study conducted in Chinese male patients with androgenetic alopecia found that the combination of oral finasteride and topical minoxidil was more effective than either treatment alone. The study included 450 patients who were randomly assigned to receive finasteride, minoxidil, or combined medication for 12 months. At the end of the treatment, all groups showed improvement, with the combination therapy showing the best efficacy. Adverse reactions were rare and disappeared after drug withdrawal. The study suggests that the combination therapy of finasteride and minoxidil is an effective treatment for male androgenetic alopecia.
View this study on onlinelibrary.wiley.com →
Discuss this study in the Community →
Cited in this study
12 / results![Global Photographic Assessment of Men Aged 18 to 60 Years with Male Pattern Hair Loss Receiving Finasteride 1 mg or Placebo](/images/research/ee974eac-4d40-43bc-8255-f29823952656/small/3210.jpg)
research Global Photographic Assessment of Men Aged 18 to 60 Years with Male Pattern Hair Loss Receiving Finasteride 1 mg or Placebo
Finasteride significantly improves hair growth but may cause sexual side effects.
![Guidelines for the Management of Androgenetic Alopecia (2010)](/images/research/97834937-0a66-4f94-ad3a-8ed4dba2d84a/small/3139.jpg)
research Guidelines for the Management of Androgenetic Alopecia (2010)
Use minoxidil for hair loss treatment, and finasteride for men.
![S1 Guideline for Diagnostic Evaluation in Androgenetic Alopecia in Men, Women, and Adolescents](/images/research/c3730e00-ad83-4cc9-8c1b-0de1d6c6e38c/small/3003.jpg)
research S1 Guideline for Diagnostic Evaluation in Androgenetic Alopecia in Men, Women, and Adolescents
Guidelines for diagnosing common hair loss include detailed history, clinical examination, and various diagnostic techniques.
![Prevalence of Androgenetic Alopecia in China: A Community-Based Study in Six Cities](/images/research/decb9a6a-bf0e-440a-9e23-e5b43652ba71/small/2949.jpg)
research Prevalence of Androgenetic Alopecia in China: A Community-Based Study in Six Cities
Baldness is more common in Chinese men than women, increasing with age, and is influenced by genetics.
![Prevalence and Types of Androgenetic Alopecia in Shanghai, China: A Community-Based Study](/images/research/2954c2e0-88bf-4189-9803-ce8d2432f1d4/small/2865.jpg)
research Prevalence and Types of Androgenetic Alopecia in Shanghai, China: A Community-Based Study
Chinese men have lower AGA rates than Caucasians, with type III vertex most common; family history is important.
![Medical Treatments for Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss](/images/research/0f02d701-b922-42af-a341-bfa523e0b672/small/2815.jpg)
research Medical Treatments for Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss
Minoxidil and finasteride treat hair loss in men, while minoxidil treats hair loss in women.
![Value of Hormonal Levels in Patients with Male Androgenetic Alopecia Treated with Finasteride: Better Response in Patients Under 26 Years Old](/images/research/bf7da57a-3708-4c72-8dd5-74057b5b7dfc/small/2800.jpg)
research Value of Hormonal Levels in Patients with Male Androgenetic Alopecia Treated with Finasteride: Better Response in Patients Under 26 Years Old
Finasteride works better for hair loss in patients 26 or younger.
![An Open, Randomized, Comparative Study of Oral Finasteride and 5% Topical Minoxidil in Male Androgenetic Alopecia](/images/research/5adee3f9-e2d9-4605-9c57-c4b6ea971eb8/small/2512.jpg)
research An Open, Randomized, Comparative Study of Oral Finasteride and 5% Topical Minoxidil in Male Androgenetic Alopecia
Oral finasteride works better than topical minoxidil for hair growth, both are safe.
![Minoxidil vs Finasteride in the Treatment of Men With Androgenetic Alopecia](/images/research/378f4a9f-37bf-44f9-a4c4-ac4d92ee5caa/small/2485.jpg)
research Minoxidil vs Finasteride in the Treatment of Men With Androgenetic Alopecia
Finasteride slightly better long-term, minoxidil faster initial results, but stopping minoxidil may cause hair loss.
![A randomized clinical trial of 5% topical minoxidil versus 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men](/images/research/3b5722eb-05e3-43bd-af21-369aaa989bdc/small/2429.jpg)
research A randomized clinical trial of 5% topical minoxidil versus 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men
5% minoxidil works better for hair growth and density, with minor irritation.
![Immunohistochemical localization of types 1 and 2 5α-reductase in human scalp](/images/research/0cded3e0-8ce7-437f-859a-6e1b5f33d049/small/15541.jpg)
research Immunohistochemical localization of types 1 and 2 5α-reductase in human scalp
The study found that two enzymes linked to hair loss are located in different parts of the scalp, supporting a common treatment's effectiveness.
![Finasteride](/images/research/01fc5ed2-c2ef-4e39-b258-fba27cb96429/small/2210.jpg)
research Finasteride
Finasteride effectively treats baldness but may cause sexual side effects.
Related
9 / resultsresearch What's New in Therapy for Male Androgenetic Alopecia?
![Clinical Observation of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF) Combined with Minoxidil in the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia](/images/research/c95d26d0-de65-43c2-b1c9-274acc0d6967/small/5562.jpg)
research Clinical Observation of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF) Combined with Minoxidil in the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia
Using basic fibroblast growth factor with minoxidil improves hair growth and patient satisfaction more than using minoxidil alone.
research Pharmacological Therapeutics in Androgenetic Alopecia
![A Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Topical Solution of 0.25% Finasteride Admixed with 3% Minoxidil vs. 3% Minoxidil Solution in the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia](/images/research/1ed68f8e-306c-4f49-a103-6887114efbd4/small/4410.jpg)
research A Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Topical Solution of 0.25% Finasteride Admixed with 3% Minoxidil vs. 3% Minoxidil Solution in the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia
Finasteride and minoxidil mix works better for hair growth than minoxidil alone, with similar safety.
![Mesotherapy with Dutasteride and Minoxidil in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia](/images/research/7979d21b-bd2d-4876-aa68-51788dbce480/small/4364.jpg)
research Mesotherapy with Dutasteride and Minoxidil in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia
Dutasteride and minoxidil mesotherapy effectively treats hair loss with minimal side effects.
![Combined Treatment with Oral Finasteride and Topical Minoxidil in Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized and Comparative Study in Chinese Patients](/images/research/f4711414-0bcf-437c-99a0-2f2b706ff7cc/small/3644.jpg)
research Combined Treatment with Oral Finasteride and Topical Minoxidil in Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized and Comparative Study in Chinese Patients
Finasteride and minoxidil together work best for male hair loss.
research Androgenetic Alopecia and Its Remedies: A Review
![Minoxidil vs Finasteride in the Treatment of Men With Androgenetic Alopecia](/images/research/378f4a9f-37bf-44f9-a4c4-ac4d92ee5caa/small/2485.jpg)
research Minoxidil vs Finasteride in the Treatment of Men With Androgenetic Alopecia
Finasteride slightly better long-term, minoxidil faster initial results, but stopping minoxidil may cause hair loss.
![Finasteride Treatment May Not Prevent Telogen Effluvium After Minoxidil Withdrawal](/images/research/fd8df88a-1fec-45ba-bb7e-ca1ff6540c84/small/2486.jpg)
research Finasteride Treatment May Not Prevent Telogen Effluvium After Minoxidil Withdrawal
Finasteride may not stop severe hair loss after stopping minoxidil.