Effect of dutasteride 0.5 mg/d in men with androgenetic alopecia recalcitrant to finasteride.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Finasteride at a dose of 1 mg/d has been reported to show no significant improvement in 30-50% of patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Dutasteride, a dual inhibitor of both type I and type II 5 alpha-reductase, inhibits the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, which is the key contributor of AGA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Our aim is to evaluate clinical efficacy and tolerability of dutasteride in men with AGA who do not show clinical improvement to the conventional finasteride treatment. A total of 35 Korean men with AGA who had not shown significant clinical improvement when treated with finasteride 1 mg/d for at least six months received dutasteride at a dose of 0.5 mg/d for six months. Efficacy was evaluated by global photograph assessment and phototrichogram. Safety assessment was performed through physical examination and adverse event report.

RESULTS:

Of the 31 patients who completed the treatment, 24 patients (77.4%) were improved by the global photography (17 were slightly, six moderately, and one markedly improved) compared with the post-finasteride treatment. There was no significant change in seven patients (22.6%), and aggravation was not reported. Hair density and thickness significantly increased by 10.3% (87 ± 12-96 ± 12/cm(2)) and 18.9% (0.053 ± 0.012-0.063 ± 0.011 mm), respectively, in phototrichogram assessment. Side effects included transient sexual dysfunction in six patients (17.1%).

CONCLUSIONS:

Dutasteride is suggestive to be an alternative treatment option to patients with AGA who do not clinically respond to finasteride in six months.

• Authors: Jae Yoon Jung, Je Ho Yeon, Jee Woong Choi, Soon Hyo Kwon, Beom Joon Kim, Sang Woong Youn, Kyoung Chan Park, Chang Hun Huh
• Journal: International journal of dermatology (Int J Dermatol) Vol. 53 Issue 11 Pg. 1351-7 (Nov 2014) ISSN: 1365-4632 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 24898559 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2014 The International Society of Dermatology.

Chemical References

• 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors
• Azasteroids
• Finasteride
• Dutasteride

Topics

• 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Adult
• Alopecia (drug therapy)
• Azasteroids (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Dutasteride
• Finasteride (therapeutic use)
• Hair (pathology)
• Humans
• Male
• Photography
• Retreatment
• Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological (chemically induced)
• Treatment Failure