Can I take Finasteride and Dutasteride together? What about mg?

Question

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Hello,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

Joyce Davis, MD · Answer

There is no reason for this.  Dutasteride is the stronger drug, blocking both forms of 5 alpha reductase.  If needed, I have occasionally prescribed more than 1 tablet of dutasteride daily, with improved results.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

Finasteride and dutasteride can be used together but only in special circumstances. Finasateride is an inhibitor of the enzyme 5 alpha reductase type 2  and dutaseride is an inhibitor of both 5 alpha reductease type 1 and type 2. Dutasteride is more potent and leads to greater reductions of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Side effects are also greater with dutasteride than finasteride and likely greater when combining than using alone. One needs to be used FIRST to determine how well ONE works (and generally this is finasteride given that it is FDA approved for hair loss and approved in most countries as well). Studies have shown that some men using finasteride can have enhanced responses by adding small doses of dutasteride (0.5 mg) on the weekend. These were studies by Rod Sinclair and colleagues in 2013. He reported a 47-year-old man who was initially treated with finasteride for male pattern balding. Despite continuous treatment, after year 4 his hair density was not as good as previous years, and low-dose dutasteride at 0.5 mg once per week was added to the finasteride therapy. Interestingly, this resulted in a dramatic increase in his hair density, demonstrating that combined therapy with finasteride and dutasteride can improve hair density in patients already taking finasteride.
 
 
ReferenceBoyapati et al.  Australas J Dermatol. 2013 Feb;54(1):49-51.

Sean Behnam, MD · Answer

You can but they do essentially the same thing so I'm unsure why someone would need to take both. For exact dosing you need to have an actual meeting with a doctor, especially if you do plan on mixing the two together.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

taking dutasteride and finasteride togehter makes no sense to me. Both of these drug block the DHT receptors in the hair follicle, but dutasteride is no approved safe by the FDA

Can I take Finasteride and Dutasteride together? What about mg?

Answers (5)

Answer: Finasteride and Dutasteridde

Answer: Finasteride and Dutasteridde

Answer: Taking dutasteride and finasteride togehter

Answer: Taking dutasteride and finasteride togehter

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Hair Loss Treatment

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Can I take Finasteride and Dutasteride together? What about mg?

Answers (5)

Answer: Finasteride and Dutasteridde

Answer: Finasteride and Dutasteridde

Answer: Taking dutasteride and finasteride togehter

Answer: Taking dutasteride and finasteride togehter

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Hair Loss Treatment

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.