While not yet licensed for treating hair loss, studies show that Dutasteride 0.5 mg is more efficient than both Finasteride and Minoxidil in curbing male pattern baldness and increasing hair density [1].
This promising new medication can be prescribed off-label for men. Preliminary research shows excellent results even in patients with stubborn androgenetic alopecia, which doesn’t respond to Finasteride. That is because it can reduce your dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels by over 90% [2].
This treatment is also considered safe: only a very small proportion of patients experience Dutasteride side effects. The reported adverse reaction rate is no different from that of Finasteride 1mg, and most symptoms resolve on their own with long-term use.
Keep reading this article to learn all you need to know about:
Dutasteride is a medication approved for a common condition which causes benign prostate enlargement (also called benign prostate hyperplasia, BPH or BPE). However, since it reduces the activity of an enzyme involved in DHT production, it is also very effective for male pattern baldness.
The 0.5 mg dose is suitable for treating androgenetic alopecia. It’s high enough to slow hair loss and promote regrowth, but low enough to be safe and produce minimal side effects.
Dutasteride is commonly sold under the brand name Avodart, but there are also generic options available.
Male pattern baldness occurs when an enzyme called 5 alpha-reductase converts an excessive amount of testosterone into DHT. This resulting androgen binds to specific receptors on your hair follicles, shrinking them and preventing them from producing hair [3].
Dutasteride inhibits the activity of this enzyme, causing it to produce less DHT. This translates to less hair shedding and increased hair density.
Your body produces 3 slightly different variations (isoforms) of 5-alpha reductase, with minor differences in their molecular structure. While Finasteride can bind to and inhibit 2 of these isoforms, Dutasteride can inhibit all 3, making it more effective in lowering the levels of DHT in your blood.
Yes — studies show that Dutasteride is better than Finasteride 1 mg, Finasteride 5 mg, and Minoxidil 5 mg when it comes to efficacy in curbing hair shedding and promoting new hair growth [1].
One study performed on 153 men with male pattern baldness revealed Dutasteride could increase hair density by 12.2/cm2, compared to 4.7/cm2 in the placebo group after only 6 months of treatment [4].
A different study performed on 917 men with androgenetic alopecia, revealed that this medication significantly increased hair count and hair diameter after 24 weeks of use [5].
These findings were confirmed by a study performed on 17 sets of identical twins, where one twin of each pair received Dutasteride treatment, while the other received a placebo [6]. After 1 year, the improved hair growth attained by the brothers who received the drug was clearly visible in comparison to those who had taken the placebo:
Dutasteride 0.5 mg is a soft capsule normally taken once a day with water. The time of day when you choose to take it doesn’t really matter, as long as you do so at approximately the same hour each day.
If you accidentally miss a dose, don’t double up next time; just continue treatment normally the day after. Dutasteride’s half-life is long enough to remain in your system and make up for the forgotten capsule, as long as this doesn’t happen too frequently.
Like most hair loss treatments, Dutasteride only works for as long as you take it. Since there is no permanent cure for male pattern baldness, you’ll need to take this drug indefinitely. If you would like to solve your hair loss problem once and for all, the only permanent solution is a hair transplant.
Yes, research shows that Dutasteride is safe to use in the long term for the vast majority of men [7]. In fact, most unwanted side effects occur during the first year of administration and then subside by the second year.
Some of the most commonly reported Dutasteride side effects include:
DHT plays an important role in your sexual function, so by reducing its blood concentrations, some predisposed patients may experience unwanted sexual side effects. But it’s important to remember these side effects are very rare and usually temporary.
Moreover, several studies have found no statistically significant difference between the proportion of side effects reported by patients who were treated with Dutasteride and those in the placebo groups [8][9]. That means that in some cases, patients who report adverse reactions to this drug may actually be experiencing a nocebo effect. This happens when the expectation of side effects leads to their development (or the perception of their development) [10].
To significantly lower your chances of experiencing side effects, consider trying topical Dutasteride instead of the oral variety. While further research is needed at this time to determine its efficacy, preliminary results are promising and it is unlikely to have systemic side effects.
Researchers deem this treatment “a safe drug with a wide therapeutic window and few known drug interactions” [11].
That said, caution is still recommended when administering some treatments alongside Dutasteride. That’s because Iit was previously theorised that Dutasteride blood concentration can increase when administered at the same time as certain antimicrobial, antihypertensive and anti-HIV medications. Collectively, these drugs are known as CYP3A4 inhibitors.
According to the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, some CYP3A4 inhibitors can increase exposure to Dutasteride, potentially leading to a greater risk of side effects [12].
While studies are limited, controlled trials have shown similar rates of adverse reactions among patients taking Dutasteride only and Dutasteride alongside CYP3A4 inhibitors [11]. This suggests any interactions may be purely theoretical. However, it’s important to talk to your doctor before starting Dutasteride if you are taking any CYP3A4 inhibitors. They can advise you of any risks and side effects to look out for.
Recent studies call for further research into the potential interaction between Dutasteride 0.5 mg and corticosteroids, since there is some emergent evidence that it can worsen the side effects of prednisolone [13]. That is why it is always best to inform your trichologist of all medications that you are taking before they prescribe this treatment.
Just like premenopausal women can’t use Finasteride, they are normally not prescribed Dutasteride either. That is because both of these medications can cause foetal malformations and unwanted hormonal side effects.
Moreover, there is very little research to show whether Dutasteride would be efficient against female pattern hair loss. One study showed very promising results in improving hair thickness and density in women with androgenetic alopecia, but a smaller dose of medication was used (0.15 mg) [14].
However, under certain circumstances, post-menopausal women can take Dutasteride 0.5 mg for frontal fibrosing alopecia. One study performed on 222 women with this condition showed hair loss stabilisation in over 60% of patients (albeit with no hair regrowth) [15].
Yes, you’ll need a doctor or qualified trichologist to prescribe Dutasteride to you. Since it has not yet been approved for hair loss, the prescription will be off-label. This is why you are unlikely to find Dutasteride 0.5 mg on hair growth product websites which sell Minoxidil or Finasteride.
No. Unfortunately, just like you can’t get Finasteride on the NHS for male pattern baldness, you can’t get Dutasteride either.
While Dutasteride is available on the NHS for treating prostate enlargement, this drug isn’t available for hair loss conditions on the NHS, as this is considered a cosmetic use of the treatment.
The price of Dutasteride depends on whether you buy the brand name or generic version. In the UK, you can purchase 30 Avodart capsules for £40-45 (i.e. one month’s supply).
The generic options are usually less expensive, averaging at £20 per 30 capsules. Buying larger quantities will normally get you a better price regardless of the type of Dutasteride you opt for.
The best thing you can do if you have taken Dutasteride for at least a few months and it hasn’t worked for you is to book a consultation with one of our experienced trichologists. After a thorough examination of your hair and scalp, they will be able to establish why Dutasteride isn’t working and develop a more effective course of treatment.
Our trichologists can provide you with the best hair loss treatment for men with your condition. If your male pattern baldness is too advanced, they will determine whether you are a good candidate for a natural-looking hair transplant.
There are many advantages to hair restoration surgery, which is why more and more celebrities choose to get hair transplants. They are performed in just a few hours and you can enjoy a full head of hair more than 10 years after a hair transplant. Our world-class surgeons at the Wimpole Clinic have excellent success rates. See the results for yourself in our before and after hair transplant gallery.
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