What Is Your Opinion of Replacing Propecia With Avodart?

Written by Peter Panagotacos, MD on September 7, 2008

I was wondering what your opinion is on the idea of replacing Propecia (finasteride) with the newer drug Avodart (dutasteride). Both Finasteride and Dutasteride have originated as Prostate medications. Dutasteride reduces the two enzymes responsible for the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Finasteride only blocks one enzyme. By blocking both with Dutasteride, could the results be better?

Thanks for your input,
Stephen
- - - - - - - - - - - -

Avodart the brand name for dutasteride does lower the DHT by 90% whereas Propecia only lowers it by 65% so it would seem there is no argument as to which one is better for protecting the hair from DHT. I routinely prescribe Avodart for men who are in the 15% who do not respond well to Propecia as well as to young men such as the 20 year old who is showing signs of extensive baldness with a father with only a one inch fringe of hair. That young man wants to do everything possible now to prevent the balding genes from being expressed. Even with Avodart a young man of 20 and with an inherited Norwood type VII pattern can expect to get thin just as his sister might with the same inherited balding genes but with less Testosterone and therefore less DHT.

DHT is the bad guy. Dutasteride works better to lower the DHT and gives better results for protecting the hair and increasing density.

Peter Panagotacos, MD
Member, International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons
Member, American Hair Loss Association