Dutasteride in Androgenetic Alopecia: An Update

Background: Androgenetic alopecia is a common condition characterized by thinning of scalp hair. Conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, a more potent androgen, by the enzyme 5-α-reductase is responsible for underlying pathogenesis. Dutasteride, a synthetic 4-azasteroid, is a selective and competitive inhibitor of both type-1 and type-2 isoenzymes of 5-α-reductase. Finasteride and minoxidil are the only approved drugs for androgenetic alopecia. Dutasteride has been demonstrated to be effective in several randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trials in androgenetic alopecia. In this review, after the pharmacology of dutasteride, the authors have discussed the status of dutasteride in androgenetic alopecia and have compared its efficacy with that of finasteride. Keywords: Androgenetic alopecia, dutasteride, finasteride, minoxidil, 5-α-reductase, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone.