Dutasteride for treatment of baldness

[Dr. William Rassman1530037930]

One of the patients of this site has asked about dutasteride for prevention of hair loss. Here is my answer:

 

Avodart is not a FDA approved medication for treatment of hair loss because of it has more side effects in comparison with Propecia (finasteride). I need to know why you are not taking Propecia, which has less side effects and is studied more extensively for hair loss treatment.

 

I usually examine all my patients thoroughly with mapping their miniaturization before starting them on any kinds of hair loss medications. This allows us to follow the progress of your hair loss/gain and to be able to have a better understanding of your response to the medications.

[the B spot]

Doc, do you agree with prescribing Duta's to treat hairloss?

 

If so, is it only after the patient has shown little response to Propecia?

 

What type of criteria do you use, and what do you believe should be the criteria for prescribing Dutasteride?

 

I know several HT Docs are prescribing Dut before finasteride if the patient desires, so I would like to get your take on this subject.

 

Thanks,

J

[Dr. William Rassman1530037930]

Although there may be suggestions that Dutasteride is more powerful than finasteride, I wonder about the powerful impact on the sex drive. There are suggestions that Dutasteride has higher side effects. For that reason alone, finasteride should be the first choice medication. If it fails to control the hair loss, the option to switch to Dutasteride is always there.

 

I have only prescribed Dutasteride when Propecia is failing, or the patient has DUPA with no response to finasteride. There is an FDA study going on in Korea now that will shortly tell us the important issues like (1) effectiveness, and (2) side effects statistics) When that is out, we will know better how to manage this drug.

[Bill - Seemiller]

Dr. Rassman,

 

So I guess it's safe to say that many who are using this drug are simply HOPING that it will do something for them, but there's no hardcore evidence that supports its effectiveness on combating hair loss? It appears that the majority of the evidence at this point is suggestive rather than scientific.

 

Hopefully there will be more empirical data on this drug in the future.

 

Bill

[Dr. William Rassman1530037930]

You are correct. I think that the FDA study under way will be just like the Propecia study which is much more scientific.