Finasteride Alternatives

Table of Contents

• What is Finasteride and What Is It Used For?
• Why Might You Want to Find a Finasteride Alternative?
• Are There Alternatives to Finasteride?

What is Finasteride and What Is It Used For?

Finasteride belongs to a class of medication called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, also referred to as DHT blockers. It is usually taken by men to treat androgenetic alopecia  (male pattern baldness). It works by blocking the body’s production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone which can stop hair from growing naturally. 

Finasteride 1mg is the usual dosage for treating hair loss and it is only available with a private prescription. It must be taken once a day around the same time with or without food. It can take at least 3 months to a year to see improvements. Finasteride will only work as long as it’s been taken. [1]

Finasteride is known as an effective hair loss treatment. In a clinical study, 86% of men treated with Finasteride for mild to moderate male pattern baldness maintained or showed increased hair regrowth. Ongoing research has also shown that Finasteride stops hair loss or promotes hair regrowth in 9 out of 10 men who take it daily on a long-term basis. [2]

Why Might You Want to Find a Finasteride Alternative?

While Finasteride has shown impressive results, some individuals might want to avoid taking it and find an alternative to combat hair loss. Some reasons for this include:

1. It Is Not Generally Recommended For Women

Finasteride is mainly prescribed to men, it is not generally recommended for women with female pattern baldness. This is because Finasteride works by blocking the enzyme which converts testosterone into DHT. The female body produces much smaller amounts of testosterone and DHT compared to the male body. Therefore, it will not have the same effect on women. It may be prescribed to women in rare cases. 

2. Unwanted Side Effects 

Some individuals may avoid Finasteride due to the unwanted side effects. Like any other medication, Finasteride has some common side effects including decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction and depression. These side effects affect more than 1 in every 100 people, although they may reduce over time. [3]

3. Other Hair Loss Conditions

Finasteride is specially designed to treat androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness). It is not approved to treat other hair loss conditions such as alopecia areata or telogen effluvium. Individuals who suffer from a hair loss condition other than androgenetic alopecia may have to look at alternatives for more effective results.

4. Allergic Reactions

Some individuals can have a serious allergic reaction to Finasteride and need to look at alternatives. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include swollen lips, mouth, throat or tongue, skin rashes, itching, difficulty breathing or swallowing and dizziness. Finding an alternative treatment for hair loss can help avoid the risk of an allergic reaction and provide a safer option for managing hair loss.

Are There Alternatives to Finasteride?

Fortunately, there are several alternatives to Finasteride for treating men and female pattern baldness. Let’s take a closer look at each alternative and explain how they can help you achieve your hair regrowth goals. 

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is another common treatment for mild to moderate cases of hair loss or thinning in men and women. It is available in strengths ranging from 2% to 6%. It comes as an over-the-counter topical solution or foam which is applied twice a day to the affected scalp area. It is also available by prescription in the form of oral tablets. Minoxidil is known as a relatively safe and well-tolerated solution which shows results within 3-6 months with correct usage.

As to how Minoxidil works is still not fully understood, research suggests it increases blood flow around the hair follicles, stimulates each hair follicle to the growth phase and extends the growth phase. It is worth noting Minoxidil is only scientifically proven to treat hereditary hair loss, rather than hair loss caused by stress or an illness. [4]

Dutasteride

Dutasteride is another prescription-only medication used to treat male pattern baldness. It belongs to the same class as Finasteride (5-alpha reductase inhibitors) and works similarly by blocking the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT.  Some studies have compared the efficacy of Dutasteride and Finasteride. In one study, Dutasteride significantly increased hair count, width and growth in men with androgenetic alopecia compared with Finasteride after 24 weeks of treatment. [5]

Regaine

Regaine is the brand name for a medication that contains the active ingredient, Minoxidil. It is clinically proven to treat male and female pattern baldness and promote hair regrowth. It is applied topically to the scalp and works by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles and prolonging the growth phase of the hair cycle. It may take 3 to 6 months of regular use before results are noticeable, and continued use is often necessary to maintain any hair regrowth. [6]

Propecia

Propecia is the brand name of a prescription-only medication that contains the active ingredient, Finasteride. It is commonly used to treat male pattern baldness by reducing the amount of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a hormone that can cause hair follicles to shrink and eventually stop producing hair. By stopping the production of DHT, Propecia helps slow down or even reverse hair loss in men. It is not approved for use in women and should not be used by pregnant women due to the risk of birth defects.

Sources

1. Medline Plus. (2022). Finasteride. Retrieved on 13th August 2024, from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698016.html
2. DermNet. (1998). Finasteride. Retrieved on 13th August 2023, from: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/finasteride
3. NHS. (2023). Side Effects of Finasteride. Retrieved on 13th August, from: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/finasteride/side-effects-of-finasteride/
4. Regaine. (2019). How Minoxidil Works. Retrieved on 13th August 2024, from: https://www.regaine.co.uk/minoxidil/how-minoxidil-works
5. National Library of Medicine. (2013). A randomized, active- and placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of different doses of Dutasteride versus placebo and Finasteride in the treatment of male subjects with androgenetic alopecia. Retrieved on 13th August 2024, from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24411083/
6. Regaine. (2019). How Regaine Works. Retrieved on 13th August 2024, from: https://www.regaine.co.uk/minoxidil/how-regaine-works

Whilst all of our content is written and reviewed by healthcare professionals, it is not intended to be substituted for or used as medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.