Comparing Minoxidil-Finasteride Mixed Solution With Minoxidil Solution Alone for Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

October 2025 in “ Frontiers in Medicine ”

Yulong Li, Qianqian Huang, Zhongbao Zhou, Yong Zhang

minoxidil finasteride androgenetic alopecia topical minoxidil-finasteride combination minoxidil monotherapy hair density hair diameter global photographic assessment Rogaine Propecia male pattern baldness

TLDR The minoxidil-finasteride combination is more effective for hair growth than minoxidil alone.

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of a topical minoxidil-finasteride combination (MFX) compared to minoxidil monotherapy (MNX) for male androgenetic alopecia (AGA) across seven randomized controlled trials with 396 participants. The study found that MFX significantly improved hair density, hair diameter, and global photographic assessment scores compared to MNX alone, suggesting its superior efficacy and supporting its clinical adoption. Despite the favorable safety profile, limitations such as observed heterogeneity and sample size call for larger, standardized trials to confirm long-term outcomes and optimize treatment protocols.

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