Finasteride Topical Delivery Systems for Androgenetic Alopecia

The document reviewed various topical delivery systems for finasteride, a compound used to treat androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness), to mitigate the systemic side effects associated with its oral use, such as sexual disorders. The literature indicated that topical formulations, including polymersomes, vesicular nanocarriers, liposomes, and gels, could enhance localized skin penetration of finasteride. Notably, finasteride liposomal gel with 2% methyl cellulose and a gel system with poloxamer P407 showed the highest permeation rates, with flux values of 28.4 ± 1.3 µg/cm²h and 23.1 ± 1.4 µg/cm²h, respectively. The study suggested that future research should explore additional topical delivery techniques like microneedles, nanoemulsions, and emulsifier-free formulations.