Finasteride in the treatment of
men with frontal male pattern hair loss.
Acad Dermatol. 1999 Jun
Leyden J, Dunlap F, Miller B, Winters P, Lebwohl M, Hecker D, Kraus S, Baldwin
H, Shalita A, Draelos Z, Markou M, Thiboutot D, Rapaport M, Kang S, Kelly T,
Pariser D, Webster G, Hordinsky M, Rietschel R, Katz HI, Terranella L, Best S,
Round E, Waldstreicher J.
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA.
BACKGROUND: Finasteride, a specific inhibitor of type II 5alpha-reductase,
decreases serum and scalp dihydrotestosterone and has been shown to be effective
in men with vertex male pattern hair loss.
OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the
efficacy of finasteride 1 mg/day in men with frontal (anterior/mid) scalp hair
thinning.
METHODS: This was a 1-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
followed by a 1-year open extension. Efficacy was assessed by hair counts (1 cm2
circular area), patient and investigator assessments, and global photographic
review.
RESULTS: There was a significant increase in hair count in the frontal
scalp of finasteride-treated patients (P < .001), as well as significant
improvements in patient, investigator, and global photographic assessments.
Efficacy was maintained or improved throughout the second year of the study. Finasteride was generally well tolerated.
CONCLUSION: In men with hair loss in
the anterior/mid area of the scalp, finasteride 1 mg/day slowed hair loss and
increased hair growth.
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