Efficacy and safety of twice- or thrice-weekly dutasteride versus daily finasteride in men with androgenetic alopecia: A randomized, investigator-blinded, active-controlled, parallel-group pilot study.

BACKGROUND

Dutasteride is sometimes used in treating male androgenetic alopecia; however, published data on intermittent regimens are scant.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate efficacy and safety of twice-weekly and thrice-weekly regimens of dutasteride, and to compare with finasteride, in men with androgenetic alopecia.

METHODS

Sixty men, aged 21 to 60 years, were randomized to receive dutasteride 0.5 mg twice weekly, dutasteride 0.5 mg thrice weekly, or finasteride 1 mg daily for 24 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated by changes of hair density and diameter using videodermoscopy, and global photographic assessment.

RESULTS

Hair density and diameter significantly increased after treatment in 3 groups (all P < .05), showing a dose-dependent manner among dutasteride groups. Mean changes of terminal hair count from baseline in twice-weekly dutasteride, thrice-weekly dutasteride, and once-daily finasteride were 7.74, 17.43, and 12.81 hairs/cm2, respectively. Thrice-weekly dutasteride showed a greater moderate-to-marked improvement than once-daily finasteride (35% vs 21%). Sexual adverse events were similar among 3 groups.

LIMITATIONS: Unblinded participants to treatment allocation.

CONCLUSION

Twice-weekly and thrice-weekly regimens of dutasteride increased hair growth and were well-tolerated. Although thrice-weekly dutasteride was significantly superior to twice-weekly dutasteride, in terms of hair density and diameter, thrice-weekly dutasteride did not significantly increase hair count over finasteride 1 mg daily.