Finasteride More Effective for Hair Loss in Young Men than Elderly: Study
Finasteride-based drugs like Propecia popularly used in treating hair loss are often in news for negative reasons- mainly because of their side effects. Some of the earlier reports have indicated that Propecia can cause serious side effects ranging from sexual dysfunction to prostate cancer in men. Despite these, the treatment is gaining popularity because it helps men overcome male pattern baldness.
Recently Elise A. Olsen, M.D., of the Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C., with the help of his colleagues, conducted a study on the efficacy of finasteride in treating male pattern baldness. The randomized, double-blind, multicenter study involved men with vertex hair loss who were given finasteride (1 mg/d) or matching placebo for 24 months.
To perform the study, the candidates were divided into two groups based on age (18-41 years) and (41-60 years). The study analyzed the pattern of hair loss and subsequent hair growth on the vertex, anterior/mid-scalp regions, and frontal and temporal hairline. The results were photographed for more accurate analysis.
The result has proven that finasteride resulted in statistically significant hair growth in all four scalp regions after 24 months of treatment. Further, the study also found that younger men treated with finasteride experienced less hair loss in all four regions, while older men had less hair loss in the vertex and anterior/mid-scalp regions.
The study also noted that drug-related sexual side effects were at a slightly higher rate with finasteride treatment compared with placebo in both age groups.
"In conclusion, treatment with finasteride (1 mg) improves scalp hair growth and decreases hair loss in the four regions of the scalp affected with male pattern hair loss. The greatest effects were seen in the vertex and anterior/mid-scalp regions, with greater efficacy seen in younger compared with older men," the researchers at the Duke University Medical Center said.
Meanwhile in December, the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), the world's leading medical authority on hair loss and hair restoration, released a statement that said the recent anecdotal reports of persistent sexual dysfunction by some men who have used finasteride 1mg (Propecia) to treat hair loss should not define the safety and effectiveness of this drug.
Based on scientific facts, ISHRS argued that there are no evidence-based data substantiating the link between finasteride and persistent sexual side effects after discontinued use of the drug. The finding
was based on the study conducted in numerous, double blinded, placebo controlled studies conducted evaluating the use of Propecia 1mg for hair loss.
Propecia is the only oral medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of hair loss in men.
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