What is more effective when it comes to hairloss, Finasteride or dutasteride?

Hello, good question. Dutasteride theoretically has more potency for hair preservation than Finasteride but a higher side effect profile as well.  The use of dutasteride for hair loss is an off-label use according to the FDA.  Typically regrowth of both agents occurs in areas where the hair is miniaturized and not where slick baldness occurs.  Consider the use of regenerative techniques such as PRP and others and the use of nutraceuticals such as Nutrafol which have a much better side effect profile.Best, Dr. Anil Shah

Careful studies have not been done. Dutasteride at high doses in some trials appears better than finasteride. But that's not the doses we presribe!Dutasteride is not FDA approved for hair loss - so any such use is what we call "off label". Finasteride is FDA approved. Anyone who is considering dutasteride for hair loss needs to be aware of four things:1. It is not FDA approved for hair loss2. It has a higher chance of side effects, especially sexual dysfunction3. It has a potential for permanent reduction is sperm counts, which is an important fact for young men. Sperm counts can be reduced with finasteride, but it appears reversible when the drug is stopped. 4. Dutasteride has a long half life- meaning it hanga around in the body a long time once it is stopped. It may take longer for side effects to go away if one does experience side effects. Taken together, it seems super hight doses of dutasteride are probably better than finasteride. But we really can't confidently say 0.5 mg of dutasteride is better than 1 mg finasteride yet. 

Dutasteride is a better competitive blocker for the enzyme 5 alpha reductase but it is only slightly better than finasteride

Dear tommy10,Androgen blockade is one of several medical therapeutic
interventions for patients suffering from male pattern hair loss. Androgen blockade, through the use of
propecia, proscar, finesteride or dusteride will reduce the amount of
circulating androgen that circulates locally in the scalp and, as a result,
there will be less androgen converted to dihydrotestosterone from the relative
enzymatic deficiency that exists.
Dusteride is not FDA-cleared for hair loss. There are some studies that do suggest that
at higher levels, it may be more effective than finesteride, but this would
have to be prescribed to you off-label here in Canada. In general, it is important to realize when
using androgen blockade there are several side effects that need to be
considered. There is some loss of libido
and reduced sexual function. There may
be potential for permanently reducing the sperm count, especially in dusteride
patients. There are some papers that
show that a small subset of patients may be at higher risk for prostate cancer
using androgen blockers for benign prostatic hypertrophy and presumably that
may be the case for male pattern hair loss.
Used in combination – androgen blockade with a vasodilator such as a
high concentration of minoxidil and high-fluence, low-level light therapy and
medicate shampoos is the four-pronged attack to nonsurgical male pattern hair
loss. Because of the side effects of
androgen blockade, it is very important you seek the expertise of your
physician prior to embarking. Remember
to always track your prostate-specific antigen Finesteride has more clinical
data and efficacy in the literature for male pattern hair loss, but dusteride
may be more efficacious at higher doses.

At SpaMedica, we have been performing hair restoration with
follicular unit extraction technique for almost seven years, having abandoned
the strip graft surgical technique. NeoGraft® and ARTAS® are the follicular
unit automated and robotic devices we use to avoid a linear scarless
approach to harvest. With aesthetically
artistic implantation, very natural hair transplantation can be achieved. The medical management is often combined with
surgical to try and minimize ongoing hair loss and then the risks and benefits
of the oral and transcutaneous medications need to be reviewed.

For more information, please review the link below.

I hope this information has been of some assistance and best
of luck.

Sincerely,

R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.

Certified Plastic SurgeonYorkville, Toronto