Efficacy: Topical Versus Oral Finasteride And Dutasteride

[bluecyclone]

I’ve been using 1% Topical Finasteride for about a year and half. No slow down in shedding. Switching to topical Dutasteride.

Had terrible sides on Propecia.

What is the truth about the efficacy of topical A5RI’s?

I’ve been to 5 top dermatologist with mixed opinions. Unger in NYC thought topicals were useless because of a need to metabolize the drug. Colavincenzo said the same. Greco and Feinberg both believe topical is a viable option for those facing sides just less predictable due to variable absorption.

I have regressed in topical but think it’s my only route. Also using RU daily (2 weeks). I’m thinner than ever, a ton of regrow this that is far thinner and shorter at the hairline.

Thoughts? Truth about the mechanism of action for topicals?

Right now considering topical Dutasteride 1-2 times a week after a Keto wash, topcial Finasteride daily, 5 mg oral minoxidil daily.

HCG and Alchemy, Selenium to reduce sides. Maybe Cabergoline to lower prolactin which has spiked on Finasteride.

 

[Anatoly]

Right now considering topical Dutasteride 1-2 times a week after a Keto wash, topcial Finasteride daily, 5 mg oral minoxidil daily.

I've tried to dig into this Q. It was a waste of time. Some points that reflect my experience and subjective opinion:
1) there is no point in combining Dutasteride and finasteride (whether topical or oral), opting for a stronger drug will raise your chances of regrowth in deceased areas
2) you're unlikely to avoid sides if use a topical solution, as it will inevitably get into your blood and affect you systemically - this is why in prescription info for Avodart pregnant women are not allowed to even touch a damaged capsule, as dutasteride absorbs well through skin and will affect their baby
3) it's useless to predict effectiveness unless you try and compare: some experience a good regrowth, taking a capsule per week while others have to combine oral and topical dutasteride daily to get regrowth
4) it's hardly useful to measure your T and DHT levels to evaluate the effect, a lot depends on your receptors' sensitivity (one may have high DHT levels and no alopecia while others may have very low drug-induced level of DHT and still see a progression of baldness)
5) if you consider a topical, you may discuss with your doctor a choice of conductors to help better absorption (it's known that dutasteride capsule content absorbs through skin); for me this is inconvenient, therefore I take a capsule daily and do not care

6) I started with a TEVA finasteride 5mg daily and could not tolerate it, the sides seemed to be real, after I switched to dutasteride (Avodart) these problems disappeared. A more potent drug does not necessarily imply stronger sides

 

[bluecyclone]

6) I started with a TEVA finasteride 5mg daily and could not tolerate it, the sides seemed to be real, after I switched to dutasteride (Avodart) these problems disappeared. A more potent drug does not necessarily imply stronger sides

Interesting. Urologist said the same basically that he had far less reported dudes from avid art users than Finasteride users. Still worried about oral route. Wish there was a better method to quantify success via hair count and sides via labs.

this should be a simple framework.

 

[Anatoly]

Interesting. Urologist said the same basically that he had far less reported dudes from avid art users than Finasteride users.

This is because dutasteride and finasteride sides have been compared. Just surf relevant academic articles that discuss these statistics. Avodart is better tolerated than finasteride. Human body is complex, straightforward logic (more potent = more sides) does not work here - this is common for other drugs.

 

[bucksins6x]

I’m starting topical finasteride soon I’ve heard some people with great results and no sides so hopefully mine goes better. If I were you I’d give topical dutasteride a shot. Did you experience any sides on topical finasteride?

 

[topicalthunder]

Finasteride is metabolised by the liver, however it’s metabolites have 20% 5AR inhibitory affect of finasteride, therefore finasteride does most (if not, all) of the work.

We have studies proving it works, and big companies have trialed topical finasteride and have even put in marketing approval in Europe. They wouldn’t do so if it didn’t work.

There’s even proof you only need 0.25mg topically compared to the usual 1mg oral to get an equal affect on scalp 5AR inhibition/DHT reduction, showing its local effect.

 

[INT]

Interesting. Urologist said the same basically that he had far less reported dudes from avid art users than Finasteride users. Still worried about oral route. Wish there was a better method to quantify success via hair count and sides via labs.

this should be a simple framework.

That is obviously because there are way more men on finasteride than duta

 

[bluecyclone]

I’m starting topical finasteride soon I’ve heard some people with great results and no sides so hopefully mine goes better. If I were you I’d give topical dutasteride a shot. Did you experience any sides on topical finasteride?

Mild sides, maybe a drop in libido and some tiredness but nothing as painful or obvious on the pill where I had horrible ache, ED, depression. I think it’s the best route and going to take a stab at Topical Dutasteride.

 

[bluecyclone]

That is obviously because there are way more men on finasteride than duta

That was my response. He waive red a little but said of the 156 men he treats none on Dutasteride (25%) complain about sides or PFS like issues. Not a good sample or data set but just his impression. He’s the Andrology lead at a top Chicago health system.

 

[Anatoly]

That was my response. He waive red a little but said of the 156 men he treats none on Dutasteride (25%) complain about sides or PFS like issues. Not a good sample or data set but just his impression. He’s the Andrology lead at a top Chicago health system.

1) apparently, one cannot rely on one's doctor's private statistics, you can only rely on large randomised samples with statistically significant p-values for side effects
2) more men on dutasteride than finasteride: a good point about selection bias, but irrelevant
3) my point was exactly about statistically justified comparison: I myself read the data, there are articles that compare dutasteride and finasteride trials and sides in particular: despite larger sample in some dutasteride trials sides were less frequent than sides on finasteride + finasteride samples were smaller there - you can do your homework - and study the original data - all in public access