Finasteride in the treatment of men with frontal male pattern hair loss☆☆☆★★★

These data were originally presented at Dermatology 19th World Congress, Australia, June 1997.

Accepted 8 January 1999.

Abstract

Background: Finasteride, a specific inhibitor of type II 5α-reductase, decreases serum and scalp dihydrotestosterone and has been shown to be effective in men with vertex male pattern hair loss. Objective: This study evaluated the efficacy of finasteride 1 mg/day in men with frontal (anterior/mid) scalp hair thinning. Methods: This was a 1-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled study followed by a 1-year open extension. Efficacy was assessed by hair counts (1 cm2 circular area), patient and investigator assessments, and global photographic review. Results: There was a significant increase in hair count in the frontal scalp of finasteride-treated patients (P < .001), as well as significant improvements in patient, investigator, and global photographic assessments. Efficacy was maintained or improved throughout the second year of the study. Finasteride was generally well tolerated. Conclusion: In men with hair loss in the anterior/mid area of the scalp, finasteride 1 mg/day slowed hair loss and increased hair growth. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1999;40:930-7.)

Philadelphia and Hershey, Pennsylvania; Tucson, Arizona; Portland, Oregon; Indianapolis, Indiana; New York and Brooklyn, New York; Atlanta, Georgia; Paramus and Rahway, New Jersey; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Palm Harbor, Florida; Beverly Hills, California; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Norfolk, Virginia; Minneapolis and Fridley, Minnesota; and New Orleans, Louisiana

From the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphiaa; Argus Research, Inc, Tucsonb; Dermatology Associates, P.C., Portlandc; WCE Clinical Evaluations, Indianapolisd; The Mount Sinai Medical Center, New Yorke; Georgia Clinical Research Center, Inc, Atlantaf; TKL Research, Inc, Paramusg; State University of New York, Brooklynh; Piedmont Research Associates, Winston-Salemi; Florida Pharmaceutical Research Corp, Palm Harborj; Hershey Medical Centerk; Beverly Hillsl; University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arborm; Virginia Clinical Research, Inc, Norfolkn; Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphiao; University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolisp; Ochsner Clinic, New Orleansq; Minnesota Clinical Study Center, Fridleyr; and Clinical Researchs and Clinical Biostatistics,t Merck Research Laboratories, Rahway

☆ The reported clinical study was entirely supported by Merck Research Laboratories, Merck & Co, Inc. Merck & Co, Inc is the company that manufactures and markets finasteride.

☆☆ A full conflict of interest statement from each of the authors has been submitted to the Editor. One or more of the authors have received payment for conducting the study, acted as consultants to the sponsoring company, received honoraria for lecturing, or owned stock in the sponsoring company.

★ Reprint requests: Joanne Waldstreicher, MD, Clinical Research RY33-508, Merck Research Laboratories, 126 E Lincoln Ave, Rahway, NJ 07065.

★★ 0190-9622/99/$8.00 + 0 16/1/96937

PII: S0190-9622(99)70081-2

11 of 35