A dutasteride solution applied directly to the scalp may out-perform the standard finasteride pill for hair regrowth, potentially with less systemic hormone exposure -- an encouraging early finding, but the product is not yet approved or widely available.
What they did
Indian men (20-60 years) with androgenetic alopecia were randomized to one of three strengths of topical dutasteride solution (0.01%, 0.02%, 0.05%), oral finasteride 1 mg, or placebo, once daily for 24 weeks, with hair counted at the vertex via standardized macrophotography.
What they found
All active treatments beat placebo. Target-area hair count increases were: 0.01% dutasteride +32.3, 0.02% +27.5, 0.05% +75.5 hairs/cm², versus oral finasteride +41.2 and placebo +0.07 hairs/cm². The highest-dose topical dutasteride (0.05%) significantly beat oral finasteride (P=0.0083); 69% of the 0.05% group showed marked photographic improvement versus 21% on finasteride. No serious adverse events occurred in any group; only minimal skin irritation was seen.
Limitations
All participants were Indian men; the entire study team, including all named authors, were employees of the sponsoring company, which also holds a patent on the product -- a significant industry-funding conflict of interest; only 24 weeks of follow-up; no trichoscopy used; needs independent Phase III confirmation before being considered proven.
Who paid for it
Shilpa Medicare Limited (manufacturer); all authors are company employees; company holds patent US 10,993,934 B2 on the product
Read the original
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo and Active Controlled Phase II Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Novel Dutasteride Topical Solution (0.01%, 0.02%, and 0.05% w/v) in Male Subjects With Androgenetic Alopecia ↗ · Panuganti VK, Madala PK, Grandhi VR, Alluri CV, Mohammad J, Sanyasi Rao KSSVV, Dundigalla MR · DOI 10.7759/cureus.89309
Discussion
Share your experience or ask a question. New members' posts are reviewed before they appear.