A Clinical Study of the Effects of Finasteride on Androgenetic Alopecia

Kim, Seung Il; Yoo, Jae Hak; Kim, Kea Jeung

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The 5Î±-reductase inhibitor finasteride blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone(DHT), the androgen responsible for androgen- etic alopecia in genetically predisposed men.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of finaster- ide treatment according to the type of androgenetic alopecia in Korea.
METHODS
196 patients with finasteride(1.25mg/day) were registered in this study and 68 patients were followed over 8 months. Efficacy was evaluated by globa1 photographs, investigator assessment of clinical change,and patients' self assessment via self administered hair growth questionnaire.
RESULTS
Patients' self-assessment demonstrated that finasteride treatment slowed hair loss, increased hair growth, and improved appearance of hair. These improvements were corroborated by objective assessments after 4 months of treatment. Adverse effects such as sexual dysfunction were minimal.
CONCLUSION
Oral finasteride 1.25mg/day slowed the progression of hair loss and increased hair growth in clinical tria1s of men with androgenetic alopecia over 8 months. With its generally good tolerability profile, finasteride is a new approach to the management of this condition, for which treatment options are few.