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Propecia
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Propecia the only FDA approved
pill to treat Male Pattern Baldness.
Approx $60/£42 per Month
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UK and Europe |
Worldwide
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Oral Treatment for Male Pattern Hair Loss Shows
Promise
March 23, 1997
New data on Propecia (finasteride 1 mg), an investigational oral
treatment for men with male pattern hair loss, show it increased hair
growth significantly in a majority of treated men. Results were
announced today at the annual meeting of the American Academy of
Dermatology.
Phase III clinical trials presented today consisted of two large,
multicenter, placebo-controlled studies of 1,553 men with male pattern
hair loss. Men in clinical trials had mild-to-moderate, but not
complete, hair loss. They received either oral Propecia once daily or
placebo for one year.
Scalp hair growth was measured by counting hairs in a 1-inch diameter
circle of active hair loss located at the top of the head, which is also
known as the vertex. After 12 months, there was a 107-hair improvement
in men taking Propecia compared to those receiving placebo, according to
Keith Kaufman, M.D., director, Clinical Research, at Merck & Co., Inc.,
developers of the drug.
The clinical significance of this increased hair growth achieved with
Propecia was assessed by patients, clinical investigators and by review
of patient photographs by a panel of dermatologists with expertise in
hair loss.
These other three efficacy measures at 12 months showed:
-- Patient self-assessment, obtained at each clinic visit from a
validated self-administered questionnaire, demonstrated significant
increases in hair growth, decreases in hair loss and improvement in
appearance in men treated with Propecia. Overall improvement was seen as
early as three months with continued improvements over the 12-month
trial.
-- Clinical investigators rated 65% of men treated with Propecia as
having increased hair growth versus 37% of men in the placebo group.
-- A panel of experienced dermatologists rated 48% of men treated with
Propecia as having increases in hair growth compared to 7% of men
receiving placebo. The panel assessed photographs of patients' scalps to
evaluate increases or decreases in hair growth from baseline.
Dr. Kaufman said that the efficacy of Propecia was assessed through this
comprehensive set of endpoints. "The clinical relevance of the increased
hair growth measured by hair counts was substantiated by the significant
improvements perceived by patients and through complementary measures
such as the investigator and expert panel assessments," he said.
Safety was evaluated in more than 3,200 men through clinical and
laboratory monitoring, as well as an analysis of adverse events reports.
Propecia was generally well-tolerated and side effects were uncommon.
Discontinuation of therapy in Phase III trials due to any clinical
adverse experience occurred in 1.7% of 945 men treated with Propecia and
2.1% of 934 men treated with placebo. A small number of men experienced
decreased libido (1.8% for Propecia vs. 1.3% for placebo), difficulty in
achieving an erection (1.3% for Propecia vs. 0.7% for placebo) and/or a
decrease in the amount of semen (0.8% for Propecia vs. 0.4% for
placebo). According to Dr. Kaufman, resolution of these side effects
occurred in men who discontinued therapy with Propecia and in many who
continued therapy.
Propecia inhibits the action of the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase, thereby
blocking the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Propecia decreases DHT concentrations in the scalps of treated men by
approximately 60%.
"Finasteride inhibits a key factor responsible for miniaturization of
scalp hair follicles. This leads to a reversal of the balding process,"
Dr. Kaufman said.
The studies presented today confirm the role of DHT in hair loss. "An
important step in the development of Propecia was understanding the
biology of male pattern hair loss and DHT's role in it," said Dr.
Kaufman. "This knowledge has led to a new paradigm in treating men with
the condition."
Merck submitted a new drug application for Propecia to the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration on December 19, 1996.
SAN FRANCISCO |
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