Comparison of Efficacy of Topical Finasteride Versus Topical Minoxidil in Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: Topical Finasteride Versus Topical Minoxidil in Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

Farah Humera; Tahir Hassan; Muhammad Khurram Shahzad; Mohib Ullah; Noureen Kauser; Nazish Rani

doi:10.54393/pjhs.v7i9.3937

Authors

Farah Humera Department of Dermatology, Sheikh Zayed Medical College and Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan
Tahir Hassan Department of Dermatology, Sheikh Zayed Medical College and Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan
Muhammad Khurram Shahzad Department of Dermatology, Sheikh Zayed Medical College and Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan
Mohib Ullah Department of Dermatology, Sheikh Zayed Medical College and Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan
Noureen Kauser Department of Dermatology, Sheikh Zayed Medical College and Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan
Nazish Rani Department of Dermatology, Sheikh Zayed Medical College and Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v7i9.3937

Keywords:

Androgenetic alopecia, Topical Finasteride, Topical Minoxidil, Hair Density, Global Photographic Assessment Score, Randomized Comparative Trial

Abstract

Comparative monotherapy data on topical finasteride versus topical minoxidil in androgenetic alopecia remain limited. Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of topical finasteride 0.25% and topical minoxidil 5% in adults with androgenetic alopecia. Methods: This assessor-blinded, parallel-group randomized comparative clinical trial was conducted at the Department of Dermatology, Sheikh Zayed Medical College and Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan, from 21-03-2024 to 20-09-2024. Fifty-eight participants aged 18-45 years were randomized by an opaque-slip lottery method to topical finasteride once nightly or topical minoxidil twice daily for 24 weeks. Normality was assessed with the Shapiro-Wilk test. Categorical variables were compared using Pearson chi-square or Fisher exact tests, between-group continuous outcomes with the Mann-Whitney U test, and within-group baseline versus week-24 changes with paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test as appropriate. Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. Responder rate was higher with minoxidil than finasteride (13/29, 44.8 vs 2/29, 6.9; p=0.001). Hair density improved significantly within both groups from baseline to week 24. The between-group difference in week-24 hair density was not statistically significant (p=0.184), but percent change in hair density (p=0.020) and Global Photographic Assessment Score (p=0.046) favored minoxidil. Adverse effects were mild and comparable, and no sexual side effects were reported. Conclusions: Over 24 weeks, topical minoxidil achieved a higher response rate and better photographic improvement than topical finasteride, although absolute week-24 hair density did not differ significantly between groups. Both treatments were generally well tolerated.

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