Efficacy and safety of oral finasteride versus dutasteride in moderate-to-severe androgenetic alopecia in…

Randomized trialThe Journal of dermatological treatment· Dec 2026

Efficacy and safety of oral finasteride versus dutasteride in moderate-to-severe androgenetic alopecia in males based on trichoscopic and laboratory findings: a clinical comparison in Iran.

Nazila Poostiyan, Zahra Nikyar, Reza Makhmali … Zabihollah Shahmoradi

Hair & NailRandomized trialTreatmentQ1IF 3.6

Dutasteride lowered prostate-specific antigen more than finasteride in androgenetic alopecia treatment.

Efficacy and safety of oral finasteride versus dutasteride in moderate-to-severe androgenetic alopecia in males based on trichoscopic and laboratory findings: a clinical comparison in Iran.

Nazila Poostiyan … Zabihollah Shahmoradi

The Journal of dermatological treatment · Dec 2026 · Q1 in Dermatology

Background

Androgenetic alopecia (androgenetic alopecia) is the most common type of hair loss in men.

Purpose

This study compared their efficacy and safety in Iranian men with moderate to severe androgenetic alopecia.

Methods

This randomized single-blind clinical trial included 46 men aged 20-50 years.

n = 46 men

B = 0.17

Results

B = 0.17

dutasteride lowered PSA more strongly than finasteride

n = 46 men

More results

Both groups improved in hair growth after 24 weeks with no significant difference.

Serum PSA fell in the dutasteride group from 0.63 ± 0.18 to 0.42 ± 0.22 ( p < 0.001).

No significant change appeared in the finasteride group.

Age had no effect on PSA ( p = 0.58).

“

Conclusion

Finasteride and dutasteride improved hair density with similar safety. Dutasteride caused stronger PSA reduction, suggesting more potent 5-alpha-reductase inhibition.

Efficacy and safety of oral finasteride versus dutasteride in moderate-to-severe androgenetic alopecia in males based on trichoscopic and laboratory findings: a clinical comparison in Iran.

Efficacy and safety of oral finasteride versus dutasteride in moderate-to-severe androgenetic alopecia in males based on trichoscopic and laboratory findings: a clinical comparison in Iran.

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