Can Dutasteride Be Used for Hair Loss?

The idea of a medication that can reverse the effects of hair loss may seem too good to be true, especially for the 80% of men who experience at least some form of hair loss within their lifetime. [1] The good news is there are medications available to help regrow those fallen strands – one of them being dutasteride.

So, can dutasteride actually grow back hair? This guide teaches you all you need to know about dutasteride hair loss medication.

What is Dutasteride?

Dutasteride is a medication used to treat several conditions. Most commonly, it’s prescribed to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men, also known as an enlarged prostate.

Dutasteride works by reducing DHT levels in the body. It does this by blocking 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT, which can lead to an enlarged prostate.

Does Dutasteride Stop Hair Loss​?

Yes – as well as helping men reduce symptoms of an enlarged prostate, therefore reducing the risk of high grade prostate cancer, dutasteride is often prescribed by doctors as an effective treatment for hair loss. It works because dutasteride inhibits the amount of DHT produced in the body, a hormone that contributes to male pattern hair loss. It can be taken both orally and topically for this purpose.

Who Can Take Dutasteride for Hair Loss?

Dutasteride for hair loss is only available to men over the age of 18 exhibiting symptoms of either an enlarged prostate or significant hair loss. It cannot be taken by women or children. The reason women cannot take it is that it can lead to serious side effects, such as hormonal imbalances and birth defects.

However, it should be noted that this isn’t always the case, and there have been some studies looking into the effectiveness of dutasteride for hair loss in women. For example, in one study comparing finasteride to dutasteride, it was observed that hair thickness increased in 83.3% of the women participants that took dutasteride. [2]

Dutasteride Side Effects

It’s always important to be aware of potential side effects before taking a new medication. Here are some common symptoms patients experience when taking dutasteride:

• A Decrease in Sex Drive
• Erectile Dysfunction
• Sexual Dysfunction
• Fatigue
• Mood Disorders
• Chest Pain
• Weight Gain
• Swelling
• Irregular Heartbeat
• Changes to Breathing

In some cases, patients might experience an allergic reaction after taking dutasteride. This may lead to symptoms such as a skin rash, redness, itching, and swelling – if this occurs, it’s crucial to speak to a medical professional as soon as possible and discontinue use.

It’s also important to note that most dutasteride symptoms go away within a couple of weeks. So, if you experience some mild symptoms early on, you may still wish to continue using the medication as these symptoms way dissipate and lead to hair regrowth.

What About Drug Interactions?

Dutasteride is a relatively risk-free medication for treating hair loss, but there are some risks with drug interactions. There are many drugs that may impact how dutasteride works, including Darunavir, Ceritinib, and Aprepitant. Even grapefruit can interrupt how dutasteride works, so it’s best to avoid consuming too much of the fruit when taking it.

To get a dutasteride prescription, you will need to speak to a doctor, and they will ask you about any medications you are currently taking.

Dutasteride Versus Finasteride: What’s the Difference?

When researching effective hair loss treatment, you will likely come across another, arguably more popular one: finasteride.

Both finasteride and dutasteride work quite similarly. They are both responsible for inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase, which leads to the reversal of male pattern baldness. However, dutasteride is slightly more effective than finasteride as it reduces DHT levels by 98%, compared to finasteride, which only reduces DHT levels by 71%. [2]

Most men looking to treat hair loss will try finasteride before dutasteride – for many, this less potent option is enough to help stimulate the hair follicles and regrow the locks, but others need the effectiveness of dutasteride for better results.

How to Get Hold of Dutasteride

To get hold of dutasteride in the UK, you will need to book an appointment with your doctor and get it prescribed. Most people who get a dutasteride prescription have issues with an enlarged prostate or have experienced male pattern baldness.

Go to your doctor and explain your symptoms, asking specifically for dutasteride as a treatment. You will likely be prescribed oral dutasteride capsules, which you can take daily.

How Long Does Dutasteride Take to Work?

It is slightly different for everyone. Generally speaking, it should take between three to six months to see real results after taking dutasteride, at which point you will notice new hair growth coming through. However, that’s not the case for everyone – in some cases, patients do not notice any hair growth at all until about a year. So, it is best to keep on taking it, even if you haven’t experienced hair regrowth in ten months, as results may be around the corner. It helps to use a hair track app to monitor your growth over the weeks and months, taking note of any significant changes.

If you have passed the twelve-month mark and haven’t seen even a slight difference, it may be that dutasteride does not work for your male pattern baldness. In this case, it’s best to speak to a doctor or hair restoration specialist about other options.

Tips for Boosting Dutasteride Effectiveness

Have you been prescribed dutasteride for hair loss and want to learn how to increase its effectiveness? Dutasteride works brilliantly at regrowing hair in some but not others, and there isn’t much you can do about that. However, there are some habits you can use to increase the chances of the medication working well:

Take it Regularly

Most people who are prescribed dutasteride are told to take a specific amount every single day. To ensure its effectiveness, you must follow this instruction to a tee. It helps to set an alarm every day at the same time to ensure you always take the medication.

Use it Alongside Another Hair Restoration Option

Using dutasteride alongside another hair loss treatment can increase its effectiveness. Some good options include minoxidil and microneedling – two effective hair restoration solutions that can lead to a full head of healthy hair.

Give it Time

If you haven’t noticed any improvement after three to six months, don’t give up – your new hair growth may be just around the corner. Always give it at least a year before deciding it doesn’t work for you.

Should You Take Dutasteride? What to Consider

Dutasteride is a strong medication that can effectively reverse male pattern baldness, but that doesn’t mean it should be taken by everyone. Here’s what to consider before taking it:

The Cause of Your Hair Loss

Dutasteride works specifically for androgenetic alopecia. If something else has caused your hair loss, it will not work. For example, if you have telogen effluvium, dutasteride is not a good solution – in this case, it’s best to target the cause of the telogen effluvium.

The Extent of Your Hair Loss

Dutasteride is a very effective treatment for hair loss. If your hair loss isn’t extensive, it may be better to choose a milder option, such as minoxidil, which doesn’t require a prescription or lead to as severe side effects.

Other Treatments You Have Tried

Have you tried other hair restoration solutions? If not, it may be best to start with another before leaping to dutasteride, especially if your hair loss isn’t extensive.

Other Hair Loss Solutions that Work

Dutasteride is certainly not the only hair loss solution available – here are other options that work:

Minoxidil: This topical medication is often known by its brand name Rogaine. It can be purchased over the counter and works by restoring blood flow to the hair follicles, leading to hair growth.

Low-level Laser Therapy: Low-level laser therapy uses lasers to target the hair follicles. This stimulates them, and after several sessions, many patients find their hair starts to grow back.

Finasteride: Finasteride is a men-only hair loss solution that’s very similar to dutasteride, but isn’t quite as potent. Many men who have experienced hair loss find this medication very effective.

A Hair Transplant: For those who do not finxd medications to be useful for hair restoration, a hair transplant is an excellent option. It takes healthy hair follicles from one area of the scalp and transplants them to the area experiencing hair loss – once these follicles take root, new hair growth can begin.

Dutasteride Hair Loss: Final Thoughts

Dutasteride for hair loss treatment is undeniably effective, having already helped many men regrow their locks after experiencing androgenetic alopecia. Be aware, however, that dutasteride is only available to adult men, may produce unpleasant side effects, and can take up to a year for results to show through.

Are you interested in starting your hair restoration journey? You’re in the right place – we are hair specialists here at Harley Street Hair Clinic, offering high-quality hair transplants with the best surgeons in the business. Check out our patients gallery to see the type of results we achieve!

Sources:

1. https://nyulangone.org/news/most-men-experience-hair-loss-it-isnt-inevitable
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1472914/#:~:text=Finasteride%20selectively%20inhibits%20the%20Type,do%20not%20confirm%20this%20finding.