Determination of Finasteride in Human Plasma by HPLC-MS and Study on the Bioequivalence of Domestic and Imported Finasteride Tablets

A user shared their baseline bloodwork results before starting Finasteride 1mg every other day, seeking comparison with others who have done similar tests. They are interested in any changes observed after beginning the treatment.

Topical finasteride results in plasma levels 100 times lower than oral finasteride, potentially reducing systemic side effects. Users report similar efficacy with fewer side effects, suggesting a preference for topical application.

Topical finasteride may have higher systemic absorption and lower efficacy when using a Propylene Glycol/Ethanol formulation compared to the hydroxypropyl chitosan (HPCH) formulation. The safety profile of topical finasteride relies heavily on the HPCH formulation, and using standard solutions might lead to different pharmacokinetics.

Topical finasteride concentrations are likely much higher than necessary for effective follicular DHT suppression, with current standards being 100-1000 times above the theoretical minimum. Lower concentrations (0.001-0.0025%) might still work locally while minimizing systemic exposure.

A dutasteride simulator predicts that daily 0.5 mg dosing results in higher DHT suppression compared to less frequent dosing. Twice-weekly dutasteride may be as effective as finasteride 5 mg, providing a balance between efficacy and ease of use.

User experienced good results with topical finasteride, noting reduced DHT and increased testosterone. They plan to revert to a lower dosage after observing slight libido reduction.