Long-term (5-year) multinational experience with finasteride 1 mg in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia.
BACKGROUND
Finasteride 1 mg (Propecia) is indicated for the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss, MPHL). However, the long-term (> 2 years) efficacy and safety of finasteride in this population has not been previously reported. Objectives. To assess the efficacy and safety of finasteride in men with MPHL compared to treatment with placebo over five years.


METHODS
In two 1-year, Phase III trials, 1,553 men with MPHL were randomized to receive finasteride 1 mg/day or placebo, and 1,215 men continued in up to four 1-year, placebo-controlled extension studies. Efficacy was evaluated by hair counts, patient and investigator assessments, and panel review of clinical photographs.


RESULTS
Treatment with finasteride led to durable improvements in scalp hair over five years (p 3/4 0.001 versus placebo, all endpoints), while treatment with placebo led to progressive hair loss. Finasteride was generally well tolerated and no new safety concerns were identified during long-term use.


CONCLUSIONS
In men with MPHL, long-term treatment with finasteride 1 mg/day over five years was well tolerated, led to durable improvements in scalp hair growth, and slowed the further progression of hair loss that occurred without treatment.
D000328:Adult; D000505:Alopecia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000097:blood; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018120:Finasteride / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006197:Hair / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015990:Placebo Effect; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone; D018120:Finasteride