Finasteride and Its Potential for the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss: Evidence to Date

Abstract

Wimolsiri Iamsumang, Kanchana Leerunyakul, Poonkiat Suchonwanit Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, ThailandCorrespondence: Poonkiat Suchonwanit Email [email protected]: The currently approved treatment for female pattern hair loss (FPHL) includes topical minoxidil administration; however, this treatment fails to achieve hair regrowth in some patients. Finasteride, a selective 5α-reductase inhibitor (5-ARI), may be considered as an alternative treatment. However, because of its potential teratogenic effects, clinical studies and use of finasteride for FPHL are limited. In this review, we aim to summarize the literature regarding the pharmacology, clinical efficacy, and adverse effects of oral finasteride for the treatment of FPHL and to provide novel therapeutic options including topical finasteride and dutasteride, a new generation 5-ARI, for the treatment of FPHL.Keywords: alopecia, androgenetic alopecia, dutasteride, hair loss, topical finasteride, therapy

Keywords

• alopecia
• androgenetic alopecia
• dutasteride
• hair loss
• topical finasteride
• therapy