Combined treatment with oral finasteride and topical minoxidil in male androgenetic alopecia: a randomized and comparative study in Chinese patients

Dermatol Ther. 2015 Sep-Oct;28(5):303-8. doi: 10.1111/dth.12246. Epub 2015 Jun 2.

Abstract

Finasteride at 1 mg/day and 5% topical minoxidil are effective in male androgenetic alopecia (MAGA). However, studies describing their effects in Chinese individuals are scarce. 450 Chinese MAGA patients were randomly assigned to receive finasteride (n = 160), minoxidil (n = 130) and combined medication (n = 160) for 12 months. The patients returned to the clinic every 3 months for efficacy evaluation. And efficacy was evaluated in 428 men at treatment end, including 154, 122, and 152 in the finasteride, 5% minoxidil, and combination groups, respectively. All groups showed similar baseline characteristics, including age at enrollment, and duration and severity of alopecia (p > 0.05). At 12 months, 80.5, 59, and 94.1% men treated with finasteride, 5% minoxidil and the combination therapy showed improvement, respectively. Adverse reactions were rare (finasteride, 1.8%; minoxidil, 6.1%), and disappeared right after drug withdrawal. In conclusion, finasteride is superior to 5% minoxidil, while the combined medication showed the best efficacy.

Keywords: androgenetic alopecia; finasteride; minoxidil.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Administration, Oral
  • Administration, Topical
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Alopecia / drug therapy*
  • Asian People
  • China
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Finasteride / administration & dosage*
  • Finasteride / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Minoxidil / administration & dosage*
  • Minoxidil / adverse effects
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vasodilator Agents / administration & dosage
  • Vasodilator Agents / adverse effects
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Finasteride
  • Minoxidil