Efficacy and Safety of Twice-Weekly and Thrice-Weekly Dutasteride Compared to Finasteride in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized, Investigator-Blind, Active-Controlled, Parallel-Group Pilot Study

September 2025 in “ JAAD International ”

Varalee Sereepanpanich, Saranya Khunkhet, Salinee Rojhirunsakool, Montree Udompataikul

dutasteride finasteride androgenetic alopecia hair growth hair density hair diameter Propecia

TLDR Thrice-weekly dutasteride improved hair density and thickness more than twice-weekly, but not hair count compared to daily finasteride.

A pilot study compared the efficacy and safety of twice-weekly and thrice-weekly dutasteride to finasteride in men with androgenetic alopecia. Both regimens of dutasteride increased hair growth and were well-tolerated. Thrice-weekly dutasteride was significantly better than twice-weekly in improving hair density and diameter. However, thrice-weekly dutasteride did not significantly increase hair count compared to finasteride 1 mg daily.

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