Finasteride in Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

The document from 2007 examined the effectiveness of finasteride in treating androgenetic alopecia in men, a common condition leading to hair loss. Finasteride, which inhibits the enzyme 5-alpha reductase responsible for converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), is administered at a daily dose of 1 mg and has been found to stop hair loss and promote hair regrowth in men. The treatment begins to show reduced sebum production after 3 months, halts hair loss by 4 months, and initial regrowth is seen after 8-12 months, with improvements in hair quality continuing over the next year. The drug is effective in 70% of patients for stopping hair loss and induces partial regrowth in 37% of patients, particularly those with less advanced hair loss. Side effects are generally mild and reversible, including sexual dysfunction and changes in body hair, but they are not common enough to frequently require discontinuation of the drug. Continuous treatment is necessary to maintain results, and patient awareness of potential side effects is important. Other treatments like dutasteride and minoxidil are also mentioned as potential adjunct therapies.