If you've ever gone through that terror-inducing moment when you
realize that you're losing more hair than normal, it can be a frightening, lonely, and
stressful experience.
Luckily, several products have been proven to help treat male pattern
hair loss.
You may have heard of two medications used to treat hair loss:
finasteride vs dutasteride. In this article, we'll break down the
differences between the two so you can make an informed decision about
what works best for you and
order finasteride
or dutasteride.
Let's dive in.
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Table of contents:
What are Dutasteride and Finasteride, and How Do They Work?
Finasteride
(also known by its popular brand name
Propecia) and dutasteride (commonly sold as Avodart) function very similarly in
the human body.
They are both drugs that fall under a class called 5-alpha reductase
inhibitors (5-ARIs). They slow and can even reverse hair loss by
blocking testosterone from converting into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in
the body.
DHT plays key roles in the male body development — both in good and bad
ways. As a male grows, it helps them develop their features, such as
their bone structure, genitals, voice, muscles, and hair.
However, if your genetics are prone
to male pattern hair loss, DHT actually damages the hair follicles on
your scalp. It shrinks the hair follicles and eventually stops hair
production altogether. This results in a receding hairline and less hair
on the crown of your head.
Both dutasteride and finasteride work
by blocking the enzyme
that creates DHT. Doing this reduces DHT levels in your bloodstream,
which helps slow down and even reverse male hair loss.
How Do They Differ From Each Other?
Despite their similarities, there are some key differences between
dutasteride and finasteride.
First, it's important to know the history of finasteride. It was
actually originally developed as a treatment for benign prostatic
hyperplasia (BPH) and is sold under the brand name Proscar.
BPH, like male pattern hair loss, is caused by factors regarding DHT.
Dutasteride, on the other hand, was patented later
as Avodart — but ONLY for BPH.
Read more: Finasteride Drug Interactions
So, to sum up: finasteride is approved for both BPH and hair loss,
while dutasteride has only been FDA-approved for BPH. Because of this,
dutasteride is only prescribed as an "off-label" treatment for hair loss, as it has not yet been FDA-approved for hair loss.
With that said, dutasteride has actually been shown in several studies
to be just as, if not more, effective as finasteride.
Let's take a look at dutasteride vs finasteride for hair loss.
This article is written for informational purposes only and does
not constitute medical advice. The information provided in the
articles cannot and should not replace advice from a healthcare
professional. Talk to your healthcare provider about any physical or
mental health concerns or the risks and benefits of any treatment or
medication.
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How Do You Take Dutasteride and Finasteride?
Finasteride is taken
as a tablet once a day by mouth. You can take it with or without food.
Make sure to swallow the tablet whole without crushing or breaking
it.
For
finasteride dosage, it
is available in 5 milligrams and 1 mg doses, taken once per day. The finasteride cost
for each dosage may differ.
If you miss a dose
of finasteride, just skip the dose and go back to your regular schedule
without taking a double dose.
The same directions go for dutasteride. The only difference is that it
is available in other doses, with the most common dosage being 2.5 milligrams (mg).
Finasteride or Dutasteride: Which Is Better?
When it comes to comparing the two drugs side-by-side, it might just be
splitting hairs (no pun intended).
Although finasteride is the only one that's approved for hair loss by
the FDA, both medications are effective at blocking DHT production and
helping men regrow hair.
In this 2014 study, researchers compared the two drugs side by side among 917 men from
ages 20 to 50 and analyzed
before and after finasteride
and dutasteride usage. They found that both dutasteride and finasteride results
were great and they were both effective at increasing hair growth.
However, it is believed that dutasteride is slightly more effective
than finasteride.
In another study, researchers compared both drugs and focused solely on
their effect on DHT in the bloodstream. They found that finasteride
blocks around 70% of DH, while dutasteride blocks more than 90% of DHT.
Although this study was conducted in regard to prostate enlargement, it
still showed that dutasteride was more effective at lowering DHT in
subjects.
So which is better, finasteride or dutasteride?
While there is data that suggests that dutasteride is better than
finasteride at helping hair growth in men, remember that it hasn't been
FDA-approved for hair loss, and it might not be the best option for
you.
Always take your doctor's direction on what medication and dosage to
use.
Dutasteride vs Finasteride: Side Effects
Although they are rare, side effects of finasteride
and dutasteride are somehow similar as they reducing DHT
in the body.
More common side effects of finasteride and dutasteride that have been
reported include:
-
Erectile dysfunction
-
Testicular discomfort
-
Lower semen volume and problems ejaculating
-
Reduced sexual desire
-
Depression
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Key Takeaways: Finasteride vs Dutasteride
That's all you need to know finasteride vs dutasteride. Although
several studies nitpick the details of the drugs, they are both similar
drugs that can help maintain hair growth as a male pattern baldness
treatment.
Whether you pick finasteride or dutasteride or even minoxidil, know that you have to
commit to the drug for the long run to be able to see any lasting benefits.
Although it might take a while, seeing the results for your hair can be
an amazing confidence booster.
If you want to be like millions of other men that have found hope and
happiness with hair growth products like finasteride, make sure you
check out our products to find what could be a life-changing medication.
