Zeitschrift für Kosmetologie und Trichologie

Topical Finasteride in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men and Women: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Dutra Duque

Oral finasteride is a wellestablished treatment for men with androgenetic alopecia (AGA), but patients do not always tolerate longterm therapy. A topical finasteride formulation has been developed to reduce systemic exposure by targeting hair follicles specifically. To compare the efficacy and safety of topical finasteride to placebo, as well as the systemic exposure and overall benefit to oral finasteride. This 24-week randomised, doubleblind, doubledummy, parallelgroup study in adult male outpatients with AGA was conducted at 45 sites across Europe. The efficacy and safety of the treatment were assessed. Finasteride, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels were determined.