Hair Loss Medications - Avodart vs Propecia

Hair loss is a common problem that many people worry about. As a solution, various hair loss medications have been introduced to the market. Hair loss medications are an easy and less burdensome approach compared to hair transplantation, making them one of the most accessible methods for hair loss treatment, and they are also effective.

Types of Hair Loss Medications

According to many medical experts, the first and most effective method to consider for hair loss improvement is taking hair loss medications.

Hair loss medications can be classified into two main types based on their primary ingredients: Dutasteride and Finasteride. Avodart and Propecia are the representative products of each category. Since the patent period has expired, other companies are also manufacturing and selling generic versions with the same active ingredients. Although both medications work by inhibiting the impact of male hormones on hair follicles, there are slight differences between them.

Avodart vs Propecia

Both Avodart and Propecia work on the same pharmacological mechanism, preventing the conversion of testosterone, a male hormone, into DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which causes hair loss. DHT shrinks hair follicles, leading to male pattern baldness and enlarged prostate.

DHT is produced from testosterone by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase (5aR). This 5aR enzyme exists in two types.: type 1, predominantly present in sebaceous glands, and type 2, found in the sheath that surrounds the hair.

Dutasteride inhibits both type 1 and type 2 of the 5aR enzyme. On the other hand, Finasteride only blocks type 2.

You may wonder if the Dutasteride category is a more effective medication, right?

However, it's not necessarily the case because type 2 accounts for about 80% of the main cause of male pattern baldness. While the Dutasteride category may be slightly more potent in terms of efficacy, Finasteride can be considered a better choice from the perspectives of stability and side effects.

Dutasteride

The representative hair loss medication of the Dutasteride category is Avodart from GSK. Interestingly, it was initially developed as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate). Similar to the Finasteride category, hair loss medications do not create new hair but prevent hair loss from occurring.

• Avodart™ (GlaxoSmithKline)
• Dutas (Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd.)
• Duprost (Cipla Limited)
• Dutagen (Ranbaxy)

There are also many other medications available.

피나스테리드

The well-known brand in the Finasteride category is Propecia. It requires at least 3 months of continuous use to see results.

• Propecia (MSD)
• Finpecia (Cipla Limited)
• Finax (Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd.)
• Finalo (Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd)

There are also many other medications available.

Precautions for Usage

• Hair loss medications should not be used by children or women.
• Especially for women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, even skin contact with these medications can lead to absorption, so caution is necessary.
• Hair loss medications are metabolized in the liver, so they should be used with caution in individuals with impaired liver function.