Dutasteride ( Avodart / Avolve ) versus Propecia


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Dutasteride is similar to Finasteride, the active ingredient in Propecia. They both help reduce the amount of the male hormone, DHT, in the scalp area. However, Dutasteride inhibits the activities of two types of 5-alpha-reductase enzymes. In contrast, Propecia (Finasteride) only inhibits one type. This makes Dutasteride a more powerful and faster-acting weapon against hair loss than Finasteride.


Dutasteride versus Propecia: DHT hormone suppression


Effectiveness of Dutasteride has been evaluated at different daily dosages, ranging from 0.5mg to 2.5mg and 5.0mg per day.

At a daily dosage of 2.5mg or 5.0mg, Dutasteride suppresses close to 100% of DHT. This compares favourably with 5.0mg daily dosage of Propecia (Finasteride) which suppresses only 70% of DHT.

However Dutasteride is very effective at small doses. At a daily dose of 0.5mg, DHT inhibition is close to 90%. Also, the level of DHT suppression is not significantly greater between 2.5mg and 5.0 mg.


Dutasteride versus Propecia: increasing hair count


Phase II trials of Dutasteride showed that after six month of treatment, the hair counts measured in a 1 inch diameter circle increased by an average 96 hairs with 0.5mg Dutasteride, compared to an average 72 hairs with 5mg Propecia (Finasteride).

So these initial trials show that Dutasteride is around 30% more effective than Propecia in promoting hair regrowth.