Comparison Between Dutasteride and Finasteride in Hair Regrowth and Reversal of Miniaturization in Male and Female Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review

April 2024 in “ Dermatology reports ”

Almuntaserbellah Almudaimeegh, Hanadi AlMutairi, Fatimah AlTassan, Yomna Fozan Alquraishi, Khalid Nabil Nagshabandi

dutasteride finasteride androgenetic alopecia hair regrowth miniaturization randomized controlled trials prospective cohorts retrospective cohort studies placebo group adverse events Propecia

TLDR Dutasteride is more effective than finasteride for hair regrowth in male and female pattern hair loss, with similar side effects.

The systematic review, which encompassed nine studies (four randomized controlled trials, one single-arm trial, two prospective cohorts, and two retrospective cohort studies), compared the effectiveness of dutasteride and finasteride in treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in both males and females. Seven studies exclusively enrolled male participants, while only two included female participants. The results showed that all groups receiving various doses of dutasteride and finasteride exhibited a significant increase in hair count compared to the placebo group. Notably, dutasteride (0.5 mg) and dutasteride (2.5 mg) were significantly more effective than finasteride (1 mg) in increasing hair counts. Furthermore, no significant difference in adverse events was observed between finasteride and dutasteride. The conclusion is that dutasteride is more potent than finasteride in treating AGA in both males and females, and the adverse events between the two were comparable.

View this study on pagepress.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

16 / 16 results

research Health Risks Associated with Long-Term Finasteride and Dutasteride Use: It's Time to Sound the Alarm

17 citations, January 2020 in “The World Journal of Men's Health”

Long-term use of finasteride and dutasteride can cause serious health issues like diabetes and liver problems.

The Efficacy and Safety of Dutasteride Compared with Finasteride in Treating Men with Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

research The Efficacy and Safety of Dutasteride Compared with Finasteride in Treating Men with Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

38 citations, February 2019 in “Clinical Interventions in Aging”

Dutasteride more effectively treats hair loss than finasteride, but may increase risk of altered libido.

research Androgenic Alopecia and Dutasteride in Hair Mesotherapy: A Short Review

January 2018 in “Our Dermatology Online”

Dutasteride injections can help hair growth in androgenic alopecia but need more research for long-term use.

Adverse Sexual Effects of Treatment with Finasteride or Dutasteride for Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

research Adverse Sexual Effects of Treatment with Finasteride or Dutasteride for Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

15 citations, January 2018 in “Acta dermato-venereologica”

Finasteride and dutasteride increase sexual dysfunction risk by 1.57 times in male hair loss treatment.

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

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

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

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

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

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, August 2016 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 Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Dutasteride in the Treatment of Male Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia

32 citations, February 2016 in “Journal of Dermatology”

Dutasteride safely promotes hair growth and reduces hair loss, with mild side effects.

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

19 citations, January 2016 in “Annals of Dermatology”

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

research Effect of Dutasteride 0.5 mg/day in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia Recalcitrant to Finasteride

36 citations, June 2014 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Dutasteride helps hair growth in those unresponsive to finasteride, but may cause more sexual dysfunction.

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

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, January 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 Effectiveness of Finasteride and Dutasteride Used for 3 Years in Women with Androgenetic Alopecia

32 citations, January 2014 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”

Finasteride and dutasteride effectively stop or reverse hair loss in women with androgenetic alopecia, with dutasteride being more effective for women under 50.

Mesotherapy Using Dutasteride-Containing Preparation in Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss: Photographic, Morphometric and Ultrastructural Evaluation

research Mesotherapy Using Dutasteride-Containing Preparation in Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss: Photographic, Morphometric and Ultrastructural Evaluation

41 citations, April 2012 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Dutasteride-containing mesotherapy effectively treats female hair loss, improving density and thickness with minimal side effects.

research Role of Genetics and Sex Steroid Hormones in Male Androgenetic Alopecia and Female Pattern Hair Loss: An Update

87 citations, March 2011 in “Australasian Journal of Dermatology”

Genetics and hormones play a role in male and female hair loss, but more research is needed to fully understand it.

Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Dutasteride 0.5 mg Once Daily in Male Patients with Male Pattern Hair Loss: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase III Study

research Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Dutasteride 0.5 mg Once Daily in Male Patients with Male Pattern Hair Loss: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase III Study

92 citations, June 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Dutasteride 0.5 mg daily improves hair growth safely in men with hair loss.

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

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, November 2006 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

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

research Classification of the Types of Androgenetic Alopecia (Common Baldness) Occurring in the Female Sex

666 citations, September 1977 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Common baldness, also known as Androgenetic Alopecia, is caused by a combination of genetic factors and hormones called androgens.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

in Research 692 upvotes 3 months ago

Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

community Is regrowth normally painfully slow?

in Treatment 5 upvotes 4 months ago

The user is experiencing slow but solid hair regrowth using topical finasteride, oral minoxidil, keto shampoo, microneedling, RU58841, and rosemary oil. Another user suggests being grateful for the dense coverage.

community Coffee and androgenetic alopecia

in Research/Science 13 upvotes 1 year ago

The conversation discusses a claim that avoiding coffee can lead to significant hair regrowth in individuals with androgenetic alopecia. Participants are skeptical, with some sharing personal anecdotes that contradict the claim, and others discussing the potential role of caffeine in hair loss and the effectiveness of other treatments like finasteride and minoxidil.

community Finasteride 1 mg daily vs Dutasteride 0.5 mg daily

in Treatment 10 upvotes 7 months ago

Switching from finasteride 1mg daily to dutasteride 0.5mg daily may offer better hair regrowth. However, if finasteride is effective, fully switching to dutasteride is not advised; instead, adding dutasteride once a week could be beneficial.

community Be careful when switching from Finasteride to Dutasteride because for more efficacy.

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 13 upvotes 1 month ago

Switching from finasteride to dutasteride may be more effective for hair regrowth due to dutasteride's stronger enzyme inhibition, but combining both drugs could enhance results. Some users report better outcomes with dutasteride, while others recommend a gradual transition to prevent potential hair loss.

community How significant is the difference between 0.5mg Dut and 1mg Fin?

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 11 upvotes 5 months ago

0.5mg dutasteride reduces scalp DHT more than 1mg finasteride, leading to better hair regrowth results. Users report significant improvement with dutasteride compared to finasteride.

Related Research

7 / 7 results

research The Diagnosis and Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review of the Most Current Management

September 2023 in “Forum Dermatologicum”

Various treatments for common hair loss in men and women are effective, but should be tailored to individual needs and potential side effects.

research Hair Loss (Alopecia or Baldness)

June 2018

Baldness is often hereditary and linked to male hormones, becoming noticeable when half the hair is lost.

A New Topical Formulation of Minoxidil and Finasteride Improves Hair Growth in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

research Quantitative Studies on Human Hair Growth (II): Correlation Between Subjective Grading and Objective Measurements of Hair Growth

2 citations, January 1994 in “Journal of S C C J”

The study concluded that certain hair growth measurements are good indicators of baldness severity and provide a more accurate assessment than subjective grading.