Long-term finasteride. treatment decreases visible hairloss

[bornthisway]

Long-term treatment with finasteride 1 mg decreases the likelihood of developing further visible hair loss in men with androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss)

Eur J Dermatol. 2008 Jun 23;18(4):400-406.
Kaufman KD, Rotonda J, Shah AK, Meehan AG.
Merck Research Laboratories, 126 East Lincoln Avenue, RY34-A248, Rahway, NJ 07065, USA.

There are no reports on the effects of pharmacologic treatment on the likelihood of developing further visible hair loss in men with androgenetic alopecia (Androgenetic Alopecia). Our objectives were to examine whether finasteride 1 mg treatment decreases the likelihood of developing further visible hair loss in men with Androgenetic Alopecia. We conducted an analysis of global photographic assessment data from two Phase III trials in which 1553 men with Androgenetic Alopecia received finasteride 1 mg/day or placebo for up to 5 years. Finasteride 1 mg treatment led to a 93% decrease relative to placebo in the 5-year likelihood of developing further visible hair loss (95% CI: 89-97%; p < 0.001). We conclude that, in men with Androgenetic Alopecia, treatment with finasteride 1 mg/day over 5 years led to a marked and sustained decrease in the likelihood of developing further visible hair loss.

PMID: 18573712

 

[DoctorHouse]

I must be in the 7 percent bracket that lost hair on 1mg of finasteride. :sobbing:

 

[abcdefg]

What does visible mean? Visible to the person taking finasteride? visible to other people? visible to my mom? What kind of stupid study even is that? How about spending your time trying to figure out how the wnt protein works, or the molecular pathways, or how all these hormones are interconnected? Where is the real science?

 

[JayB]

wow, what a suprise. study was done by merck.

 

[jambri]

I think the study is fair enough, very straightforward and not cutting edge science... but useful to hear about anyway.

Since being on finasteride, (about 18 months now) my hair has recovered and shows very little visible signs of loss anymore. When I speak to people in the real world, some of whom have been on finasteride for 8-10 years, they say their hair has consistently improved the entire time they have been on the drug.

 

[toivonen]

Ehmm...a Merck study about finasteride efficacy...with positive results, very positive should i say....strange.... :jackit:

 

[Lucky_UK]

I would have more confidence in the trial if it was totally independant