Finasteride in the Treatment of Japanese Men with Male Pattern Hair Loss

In this study, the researchers aimed to determine the optimal dosage of finasteride and evaluate its effectiveness and safety in treating Japanese men with male pattern hair loss. A total of 414 Japanese men participated in the double-blind randomized study, receiving either finasteride 1 mg, finasteride 0.2 mg, or a placebo once daily for 48 weeks. The efficacy of the treatment was assessed through global photographic assessment, patient self-assessment, and investigator assessment. The results showed that all efficacy endpoints significantly improved with finasteride therapy by 12 weeks compared to the placebo group. At 48 weeks, 58% of men in the finasteride 1 mg group, 54% in the finasteride 0.2 mg group, and 6% in the placebo group showed improvement based on global photographic assessments. The 1 mg dose of finasteride was found to be more effective than the 0.2 mg dose. Overall, finasteride treatment was well tolerated and resulted in slowed hair loss and improved hair growth in Japanese men with male pattern hair loss.