Androgenetic alopecia; drug safety and therapeutic strategies.

Androgenetic alopecia; drug safety and therapeutic strategies. Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2018 Jan 24;: Authors: Motofei IG, Rowland DL, Baconi DL, Tampa M, Sârbu MI, Păunică S, Constantin VD, Bălălău C, Păunică I, Georgescu SR Abstract INTRODUCTION: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a benign condition with variable psychosocial impact, with some individuals adapting well while others needing therapeutic support. Although 5α-reductase inhibitors like finasteride and dutasteride have proven effective in ameliorating AGA, their use/selection is currently a subject of debate. Areas covered: Treatment of AGA with 5α-reductase inhibitors lead to variable adverse effects and relatively unstable results (therapeutic efficacy ending with treatment cessation), so the choice of optimal therapy is not straightforward. This paper presents a general perspective regarding AGA based on studies listed in PubMed, to better understand/appreciate the opportunity for long term use of medication for a biological condition having non-life threatening implications. Studies focussed on adverse effects suggest that finasteride should be used with caution in AGA, due to considerable and persistent side effects induced in some men. In contrast, efficacy data indicate that dutasteride (a stronger inhibitor) presents superior therapeutic results compared to finasteride. Expert Opinion: This paper argues that finasteride should be preferred to dutasteride in th...
Source: Expert Opinion on Drug Safety - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Expert Opin Drug Saf Source Type: research