Efficacy and Safety of Topical Finasteride Spray Solution for Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Phase III, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial

October 2021 in “ Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology ”

Bianca Maria Piraccini, Ulrike Blume-Peytavi, F Scarci, J M Jansat, M. Falqués, R Otero, M L Tamarit, J Galván, V. Tebbs, Eric Massana

topical finasteride finasteride spray solution male androgenetic alopecia AGA placebo oral finasteride plasma finasteride concentrations systemic side effects adverse events Propecia

TLDR Topical finasteride is an effective and safer treatment for male hair loss.

The 24-week phase III clinical trial involving 458 patients demonstrated that topical finasteride spray solution significantly increased hair count in male androgenetic alopecia (AGA) compared to placebo, with efficacy similar to oral finasteride but with over 100 times lower plasma finasteride concentrations and fewer systemic side effects. The incidence of adverse events was comparable between the topical finasteride and placebo groups, with no serious treatment-related adverse events. The study concluded that topical finasteride is an effective and safer alternative for treating AGA.

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