Comparison of Oral Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Dutasteride for Treating Androgenetic Alopecia

August 2022 in “ Journal of Dermatological Treatment ”

Anik Gupta, Mesbah Uddin Talukder, G. Williams

oral minoxidil finasteride dutasteride androgenetic alopecia AGA 5α-reductase DHT hypertrichosis sexual dysfunction neuropsychiatric side effects Rogaine Propecia Avodart

TLDR Dutasteride is the most effective for hair loss but may cause sexual and mental side effects.

This document compares the efficacy and safety of oral minoxidil, finasteride, and dutasteride for treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Dutasteride (0.5 mg/d) is considered the most effective, followed by finasteride (5 mg/d), minoxidil (5 mg/d), finasteride (1 mg/d), and minoxidil (0.25 mg/d). Oral minoxidil can cause hypertrichosis and cardiovascular symptoms, while finasteride and dutasteride are linked to sexual dysfunction and neuropsychiatric side effects. Dutasteride, with a longer half-life of about 5 weeks, inhibits both type I and II 5α-reductase, reducing DHT levels more effectively than finasteride, which only inhibits type II.

View this study on tandfonline.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

43 / 43 results

Prospective Cardiovascular Evaluation with 24-Hour Holter and Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Men Using 5-mg Oral Minoxidil for Androgenetic Alopecia

research Prospective Cardiovascular Evaluation with 24-Hour Holter and Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Men Using 5-mg Oral Minoxidil for Androgenetic Alopecia

3 citations , May 2022 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

The conclusion is that 24 weeks of low-dose oral minoxidil is safe for men with hair loss, with no significant changes in heart rate or blood pressure.

research Disproportional Signal of Sexual Dysfunction Reports Associated with Finasteride Use in Young Men with Androgenetic Alopecia: A Pharmacovigilance Analysis of VigiBase

4 citations , March 2022 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finasteride use in young men with hair loss is linked to sexual dysfunction.

research Relative Efficacy of Minoxidil and the 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors in Androgenetic Alopecia Treatment of Male Patients

13 citations , February 2022 in “JAMA Dermatology”

Dutasteride is the most effective hair loss treatment after 24 weeks, but finasteride leads to the most hair growth after 48 weeks.

research Post-Finasteride Syndrome

1 citations , January 2022 in “Springer eBooks”

research There Is a Positive Dose-Dependent Association Between Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil and Its Efficacy for Androgenetic Alopecia: Findings From a Systematic Review With Meta-Regression Analyses

2 citations , January 2022 in “Skin appendage disorders”

Low-dose oral minoxidil effectively promotes hair growth but has associated risks.

research Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil Increases Hair Density and Thickness in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Retrospective Analysis of 60 Patients

4 citations , October 2021 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Low-dose oral minoxidil increases hair density and thickness in people with hair loss.

research A Randomized Clinical Trial on Therapeutic Effects of 0.25 mg Oral Minoxidil Tablets on Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss

5 citations , September 2021 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Oral minoxidil effectively treats female pattern hair loss and is a good alternative to topical minoxidil.

research Finasteride for Hair Loss: A Review

4 citations , July 2021 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

Finasteride helps hair growth but may cause sexual side effects and depression.

research Safety of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil for Hair Loss: A Multicenter Study of 1404 Patients

39 citations , February 2021 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Low-dose oral minoxidil safely treats hair loss, with hypertrichosis as main side effect.

research Investigation of Suicidality and Psychological Adverse Events in Patients Treated With Finasteride

40 citations , November 2020 in “JAMA Dermatology”

Finasteride may cause suicidal thoughts and mental side effects, especially in young people with hair loss.

Efficacy and Safety of Oral Minoxidil 5 mg Once Daily in the Treatment of Male Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia: An Open-Label and Global Photographic Assessment

research Efficacy and Safety of Oral Minoxidil 5 mg Once Daily in the Treatment of Male Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia: An Open-Label and Global Photographic Assessment

24 citations , September 2020 in “Dermatology and therapy”

Oral minoxidil 5 mg daily increases hair growth safely in men with hair loss, with minor side effects.

research Efficacy and Safety of Oral Minoxidil in Female Androgenetic Alopecia

14 citations , September 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Oral minoxidil improves hair density in women with androgenetic alopecia, with mild side effects.

research Targeting Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway for Developing Therapies for Hair Loss

86 citations , July 2020 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

Activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway could lead to new hair loss treatments.

research Efficacy and Safety of Very-Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil 1.25 mg in Male Androgenetic Alopecia

19 citations , May 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Low-dose oral minoxidil improves hair growth in male hair loss.

Migration Inhibitory Factor in Conditioned Medium from Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Stimulates Hair Growth

research Migration Inhibitory Factor in Conditioned Medium from Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Stimulates Hair Growth

19 citations , May 2020 in “Cells”

Substance from human umbilical cord blood cells promotes hair growth.

research Very-Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil in Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Study with Quantitative Trichoscopic Documentation

24 citations , September 2019 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Low-dose oral minoxidil improved or stabilized hair loss in some patients, but higher doses may be needed for significant effects.

research Minoxidil 1 mg Oral Versus Minoxidil 5% Topical Solution for the Treatment of Female-Pattern Hair Loss: A Randomized Clinical Trial

53 citations , August 2019 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Oral minoxidil and topical minoxidil 5% both effectively improve female-pattern hair loss with safe side effects.

research Effectiveness and Safety of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil in Male Androgenetic Alopecia

52 citations , May 2019 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Low-dose oral minoxidil effectively improves male hair loss with mild side effects.

research Assessing Finasteride-Associated Sexual Dysfunction Using the FAERS Database

24 citations , March 2017 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Finasteride use linked to increased risk of sexual dysfunction, especially in younger people.

Superiority of Dutasteride Over Finasteride in Hair Regrowth and Reversal of Miniaturization in Men With Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Controlled Open-Label, Evaluator-Blinded Study

research Superiority of Dutasteride Over Finasteride in Hair Regrowth and Reversal of Miniaturization in Men With Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Controlled Open-Label, Evaluator-Blinded Study

33 citations , August 2016 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”

Dutasteride is more effective than finasteride at increasing hair count and reversing hair thinning in men with hair loss, but both have similar side effects.

research Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Dutasteride in the Treatment of Male Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia

32 citations , February 2016 in “Journal of Dermatology”

Dutasteride safely promotes hair growth and reduces hair loss, with mild side effects.

research Safety and Tolerability of the Dual 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor Dutasteride in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

19 citations , January 2016 in “Annals of Dermatology”

Dutasteride is safe and effective for treating hair loss, but may decrease libido.

A Randomized, Active- and Placebo-Controlled Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Different Doses of Dutasteride Versus Placebo and Finasteride in the Treatment of Male Subjects with Androgenetic Alopecia

research A Randomized, Active- and Placebo-Controlled Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Different Doses of Dutasteride Versus Placebo and Finasteride in the Treatment of Male Subjects with Androgenetic Alopecia

97 citations , January 2014 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Dutasteride 0.5 mg works better than finasteride and placebo for increasing hair in men with hair loss.

research Nonsurgical Therapy for Hair Loss

14 citations , August 2013 in “Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America”

Some nonsurgical hair loss treatments are effective, especially if started early.

research Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Thoughts Among Former Users of Finasteride With Persistent Sexual Side Effects

134 citations , August 2012 in “The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry”

Former finasteride users with persistent sexual side effects have higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts.

research Minoxidil Activates β-Catenin Pathway in Human Dermal Papilla Cells: A Possible Explanation for Its Anagen Prolongation Effect

88 citations , February 2011 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

Minoxidil helps hair growth by activating the β-catenin pathway.

research Hair Growth and Rejuvenation: An Overview

81 citations , June 2010 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

The document concludes that minoxidil and finasteride are proven for hair growth, herbal remedies show promise, but more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness.

Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Dutasteride 0.5 mg Once Daily in Male Patients with Male Pattern Hair Loss: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase III Study

research Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Dutasteride 0.5 mg Once Daily in Male Patients with Male Pattern Hair Loss: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase III Study

92 citations , June 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Dutasteride 0.5 mg daily improves hair growth safely in men with hair loss.

research Effect of 1-Mg Dose of Finasteride on Spermatogenesis and Pregnancy

11 citations , March 2010 in “International Journal of Andrology”

Finasteride 1-mg doesn't harm sperm or pregnancy chances.

research Human Hair Follicles Contain Two Forms of ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels, Only One Sensitive to Minoxidil

102 citations , February 2008 in “The FASEB Journal”

One minoxidil-sensitive potassium channel exists in human hair follicles.

research The Effect of 5α-Reductase Inhibition with Dutasteride and Finasteride on Semen Parameters and Serum Hormones in Healthy Men

195 citations , February 2007 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Dutasteride and finasteride may reduce sperm count and volume but don't affect movement or shape; effects are reversible after stopping.

The Importance of Dual 5α-Reductase Inhibition in the Treatment of Male Pattern Hair Loss: Results of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study of Dutasteride Versus Finasteride

research The Importance of Dual 5α-Reductase Inhibition in the Treatment of Male Pattern Hair Loss: Results of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study of Dutasteride Versus Finasteride

215 citations , November 2006 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Dutasteride more effective for hair growth, but has more side effects than finasteride.

research Androgens and Alopecia

165 citations , December 2002 in “Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology”

Male hormones, particularly DHT, are linked to male pattern hair loss, and treatments like finasteride can help, but they don't work for postmenopausal women's hair loss, which may have different causes.

research Finasteride Increases Anagen Hair in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

129 citations , October 2000 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Finasteride helps increase hair growth in men with hair loss.

research Clinical Dose Ranging Studies with Finasteride, a Type 2 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, in Men with Male Pattern Hair Loss

46 citations , October 1999 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finasteride effectively treats male pattern hair loss with a 1 mg daily dose.

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Frontal Male Pattern Hair Loss

187 citations , June 1999 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finasteride effectively treats frontal hair loss with few side effects.

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

581 citations , October 1998 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finasteride safely and effectively treats male pattern hair loss, but may cause reversible sexual issues and harm male fetuses.

research Minoxidil Upregulates the Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Human Hair Dermal Papilla Cells

192 citations , March 1998 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil boosts growth factor in hair cells, potentially promoting hair growth.

research Minoxidil Sulfate Is the Active Metabolite That Stimulates Hair Follicles

166 citations , November 1990 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Minoxidil sulfate stimulates hair growth.

research The Effect of Topical Minoxidil on Hair Follicular Cycles of Rats

53 citations , May 1990 in “Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil speeds up hair growth in rats without prolonging growth phase.

research The Pharmacokinetics of 2.5- to 10-mg Oral Doses of Minoxidil in Healthy Volunteers

25 citations , February 1989 in “The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology”

This document studied minoxidil in healthy volunteers. Minoxidil is quickly absorbed and eliminated from the body.

research Topical Minoxidil for Hair Growth in Alopecia Areata and Androgenetica

24 citations , February 1987 in “Drugs”

Minoxidil promotes hair regrowth, but more research needed for effectiveness and response factors.

research Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics of Minoxidil

57 citations , January 1980 in “Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology”

Minoxidil treats high blood pressure and side effects can be managed.

Related Research

10 / 10 results

research What's New in Therapy for Male Androgenetic Alopecia?

2 citations , September 2022 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

research Comparison of Oral Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Dutasteride for Treating Androgenetic Alopecia

1 citations , August 2022 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

Dutasteride is the most effective for hair loss but may cause sexual and mental side effects.

research Combination Therapy with Oral Minoxidil and Dutasteride in the Treatment of Male Patterned Baldness: A Case Report

January 2022 in “Cosmoderma”

Using oral minoxidil and dutasteride together can quickly increase hair growth and volume with minimal side effects.

research Male Androgenetic Alopecia

100 citations , April 2010 in “Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy”

Hair loss in men treated best with early medication or transplant, new treatments researched.

research The Importance of Dual 5α-Reductase Inhibition in the Treatment of Male Pattern Hair Loss: Results of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study of Dutasteride Versus Finasteride

215 citations , November 2006 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Dutasteride more effective for hair growth, but has more side effects than finasteride.

research Effective Treatment of Female Androgenic Alopecia with Dutasteride

33 citations , September 2005 in “PubMed”

Dutasteride successfully treated a woman's hair loss when other treatments failed.

research Current Management of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

4 citations , December 1999 in “PubMed”

Minoxidil and finasteride are promising drugs that can prevent hair loss and promote new growth in people with common hair loss condition.