Evaluating the Combined Efficacy of Oral Isotretinoin and Topical Tacrolimus Versus Oral Finasteride and Topical Tacrolimus in Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

July 2022 in “ Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology ”

Ghasem Rahmatpour Rokni, Seyed Naser Emadi, Abbas Dabbaghzade, Neda Jahantigh, Amir Mohammad Beyzaee, Aseem Sharma, Lidia Rudnicka, Mohamad Goldust

oral isotretinoin topical tacrolimus oral finasteride frontal fibrosing alopecia Physician Global Assessment FFA isotretinoin tacrolimus finasteride

TLDR Isotretinoin with tacrolimus may be more effective short-term for treating frontal fibrosing alopecia than finasteride with tacrolimus.

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of oral isotretinoin and topical tacrolimus (group A) versus oral finasteride and topical tacrolimus (group B) in treating frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) in 31 patients over 12 weeks. Group A showed significantly better Physician Global Assessment (PGA) scores at 4 weeks (p=0.038) and higher, though not statistically significant, patient satisfaction at 8 and 12 weeks. No serious adverse effects were reported. The study suggests that isotretinoin combined with tacrolimus may be more effective in the short term for FFA treatment compared to finasteride with tacrolimus.

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Research cited in this study

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