Niramoy Speciality Clinic
Hair loss is a symptom of great importance for patients who suffers from it because it plays a tremendous role in their social and psychological wellbeing. Once the cause is known, treatment should be individualized to achieve satisfactory regrowth of hair. 2% Minoxidil is still the best and safest topical treatment. Twice a day application with gentle massage helps to achieve desirable hair regrowth. 5% Minoxidil has only marginal advantage over 2% minoxidil, and it also causes more irritation.
Finasteride is a selective antagonist of 5 alpha reductase receptor. It is a non-competitive antagonist, therefore binds the receptor irreversibly, and blocks the conversion of testosterone into DHT. When given in a dose of 1mg per day, it reduces scalp DHT by 64% and serum DHT by 68%. At the end of 1 year treatment, the terminal hair count increases by 10%. Combining topical Minoxidil 2% and finasteride 1mg per day gives synergistic effect.
Loss of libido,erectile dysfunction, hives or welts, itching, skin rash, breast enlargement and tenderness, allergies, etc. are common to less common side effects of finasteride.
In female patients with MPB,limited studies have been done with drug like cyproterone, spironolactone and flutamide.
Cyproterone can arrest the hair loss but is unable to induce hair growth.Lassitude,breast tenderness, weight gain, nausea and loss of libido are commonly observed side effects.
Treatment of Androgenetic alopecia is still unsatisfactory in many cases.
