Comparative analysis of low-dose oral minoxidil with spironolactone versus finasteride or dutasteride in female androgenetic alopecia management

Arch Dermatol Res. 2024 Sep 14;316(9):622. doi: 10.1007/s00403-024-03361-x.

Abstract

LDOM has enhanced treatment options for female AGA, yet its combined efficacy with therapies such as spironolactone, finasteride, or dutasteride remains inadequately explored. This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of LDOM in combination with spironolactone versus LDOM with finasteride or dutasteride in women with AGA. Our analysis revealed that both combination therapies produced similar improvements in hair growth and had comparable safety profiles. Although the LDOM with finasteride/dutasteride group showed a greater average increase in hair width and density, these differences were not statistically significant. These results endorse the use of LDOM in combination with either spironolactone or finasteride/dutasteride for female AGA, and underscore the necessity for further research to validate these findings and assess long-term treatment outcomes.

Keywords: Alopecia; Dutasteride; Finasteride; Hair loss; Minoxidil; Spironolactone.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Alopecia* / drug therapy
  • Drug Therapy, Combination* / methods
  • Dutasteride* / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Finasteride* / administration & dosage
  • Hair / drug effects
  • Hair / growth & development
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Minoxidil* / administration & dosage
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Spironolactone* / administration & dosage
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Finasteride
  • Dutasteride
  • Spironolactone
  • Minoxidil
  • 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors