Topical Finasteride Gel as Effective as Oral Drug?

A recently published clinical study from Iran shows that topical finasteride in the form of a topical gel is as effective in treating male pattern baldness as oral use of this drug. This double blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted over a period of 6 months on 45 male subjects who had been balding for 1.5 - 2 years.

Serial measurements indicated a significant increase in hair thickness and terminal hair counts in both groups. The study concluded that as a result of the treatment there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of hair thickness, hair counts and the size of the balding area, hence the therapeutic effects of both, finasteride gel and finasteride pill, could be considered relatively similar to each other. However, no comparison was provided regarding the side effects. Further independent studies on a larger scale will be needed to confirm the positive findings from this report.

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