Clinical Effectiveness of Finasteride Versus Hydroxychloroquine in the Treatment of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

September 2023 in “ Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology ”

Mina Saber, Maryam Farokhshahi, Farahnaz Fatemi Naeini, Fatemeh Mohaghegh, Ali Asilian

finasteride hydroxychloroquine frontal fibrosing alopecia FFA Propecia

TLDR Finasteride was more effective than hydroxychloroquine in treating frontal fibrosing alopecia.

The randomized, open-label trial conducted from June 2020 to February 2023 involved 34 female patients with frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA), 17 treated with finasteride and 15 with hydroxychloroquine. Both treatments were found to be effective in managing FFA, with finasteride showing more effectiveness in reducing the severity of the disease. Both treatments were well-tolerated, with only one patient from each group leaving due to poor compliance. The study concluded that finasteride could be a first-line systemic treatment for FFA. However, hydroxychloroquine could be a good alternative for patients who cannot use finasteride due to contraindications or side effects. The study had limitations including a low sample size, a wide age range of patients, and a relatively short follow-up period.

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