Finasteride vs Dutasteride: Which One Is Better for Hair Loss?
Hair loss is a common problem that affects many men, especially as they get older. It can have a negative impact on your self-esteem, confidence, and appearance. Fortunately, there are some treatments that can help you slow down, stop, or even reverse hair loss.
Two of the most popular treatments for hair loss are finasteride and dutasteride. They are both medications that belong to a class of drugs called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, or 5-ARIs. They work by blocking the production of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, which is responsible for shrinking your hair follicles and causing hair loss.
But which one is better for hair loss? Finasteride or dutasteride? In this blog post, we will compare these two medications and help you decide which one is right for you.
What is finasteride?
Finasteride is a medication that was first approved by the FDA in 1992 for treating prostate enlargement, a condition that affects many older men. In 1997, it was also approved for treating male pattern baldness, the most common type of hair loss in men.
Finasteride comes in two forms: Proscar and Propecia. Proscar is a 5 mg tablet that is used for prostate problems, while Propecia is a 1 mg tablet that is used for hair loss. You need a prescription from your doctor to get finasteride.
How does finasteride work?
Finasteride works by blocking the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT. By doing this, it lowers the level of DHT in your body and prevents it from damaging your hair follicles. This can help you keep the hair you have and even regrow some of the hair you have lost.
Finasteride usually starts working within a few months, but it may take up to a year to see the full results. You need to keep taking finasteride to maintain the benefits. If you stop taking it, your hair loss will resume within a few months.
What are the side effects of finasteride?
Finasteride is generally well tolerated, but it can have some side effects, mainly related to your sexual function. These include:
- Erectile dysfunction (difficulty getting or keeping an erection)
- Decreased libido (reduced interest in sex)
- Decreased ejaculate volume (less semen when you ejaculate)
- Gynecomastia (enlargement of breast tissue in men)
These side effects are usually mild and reversible. They affect only a small percentage of men who take finasteride. Most men who take finasteride do not experience any sexual side effects.
Finasteride may also increase the risk of a rare but serious type of prostate cancer called high-grade prostate cancer. However, this risk is very low and may be outweighed by the benefits of finasteride for preventing prostate enlargement and lower-grade prostate cancer.
Finasteride may also affect your PSA test, a blood test that is used to screen for prostate cancer. Finasteride can lower your PSA level by about 50%, which can make it harder to detect prostate cancer. You should tell your doctor if you are taking finasteride before you have a PSA test.
These side effects are usually mild and reversible. They affect only a small percentage of men who take finasteride. Most men who take finasteride do not experience any sexual side effects.
What is dutasteride?
Dutasteride is a medication that was first approved by the FDA in 2001 for treating prostate enlargement. It is similar to finasteride, but it is more potent and effective. It is sold under the brand name Avodart.
Dutasteride comes in a 0.5 mg capsule that you swallow. You need a prescription from your doctor to get dutasteride.
How does dutasteride work?
Dutasteride works by blocking both types of the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT. Finasteride only blocks one type of the enzyme. By doing this, dutasteride lowers the level of DHT in your body more than finasteride. This can help you shrink your prostate more and improve your urinary symptoms more than finasteride.
Dutasteride is not approved by the FDA for treating hair loss, but some doctors may prescribe it off-label for this purpose. There is some evidence that dutasteride may be more effective than finasteride for hair loss, especially for men who do not respond well to finasteride.
Dutasteride usually starts working within a few weeks, but it may take up to six months to see the full results. You need to keep taking dutasteride to maintain the benefits. If you stop taking it, your hair loss will resume within a few months.
What are the side effects of dutasteride?
Dutasteride has similar side effects to finasteride, but they may be more frequent and severe. These include:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Decreased libido
- Decreased ejaculate volume
- Gynecomastia
These side effects are usually mild and reversible. They affect about 5% of men who take dutasteride. Most men who take dutasteride do not experience any sexual side effects.
Dutasteride may also increase the risk of high-grade prostate cancer, but this risk is very low and may be outweighed by the benefits of dutasteride for preventing prostate enlargement and lower-grade prostate cancer.
Dutasteride may also affect your PSA test, but more than finasteride. Dutasteride can lower your PSA level by about 90%, which can make it very hard to detect prostate cancer. You should tell your doctor if you are taking dutasteride before you have a PSA test.
Finasteride vs dutasteride: Which one should you choose?
Both finasteride and dutasteride are effective treatments for hair loss, but they have some differences that you should consider before you choose one.
Finasteride is more widely used and has more evidence to support its use for hair loss. It is also cheaper and easier to get than dutasteride. It has fewer side effects and less impact on your PSA test than dutasteride.
Dutasteride is more potent and may be more effective than finasteride for hair loss, especially for men who do not respond well to finasteride. It may also be better for men who have severe prostate problems. However, it is more expensive and harder to get than finasteride. It has more side effects and more impact on your PSA test than finasteride.
The best way to decide which one is right for you is to talk to your doctor. Your doctor can assess your condition, review your medical history, and recommend the best option for you. You may also need to try both medications to see which one works better for you and has fewer side effects.
Conclusion
Finasteride and dutasteride are both 5-ARIs that can help you treat hair loss by blocking DHT. They are both effective, but they have some pros and cons that you should weigh before you choose one. You should consult your doctor before you start taking any medication for hair loss. You should also monitor your progress and report any side effects to your doctor. With the right treatment, you can improve your hair and your confidence.