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

Abstract

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.