Dutasteride is a drug that the human 5-alpha-reductase (present in the hair follicles), and the peripheral conversion of testosterone to the androgenic (and more potent) blocks dihydrotestosterone (DHT). As a result, the amount of DHT levels in the blood, which would have to inhibit the process of hair loss. The relationship between the concentrations of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone will change within the normal range. Dutasteride should be effective in the control of androgenetic alopecia in men. However, GSK has never officially published research results. Based on theoretical models can be expected that the use of dutasteride would have a positive effect and would both counteract the loss of hair on the head as to stimulate regrowth. It is assumed as soon as possible to begin with the treatment in order to stabilize the property of the hairline. Furthermore, it allows for a reduction in the size of the prostate gland after one to six months.
Genesis
The substance dutasteride was developed by the pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). The results of finasteride at the condition benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH, benign prostatic hyperplasia) fell against; GSK therefore wanted to develop an alternative means. At BPH plays, as with androgenetic hair loss, the male hormone DHT a large role. It means that there had to come had to reduce the DHT-values more efficiently than finasteride.
Dutasteride vs Finasteride
Although finasteride and dutasteride have a comparable effect, dutasteride is more effective in reducing DHT-values. This is for two reasons.
When daily intake of 0.5mg, the production of DHT by 93% on average (compared finasteride causes a decrease of 70% DHT). The substance remains much longer in the blood. Is half of the substance finasteride already degraded within 8 hours, dutasteride this takes on average 240 hours (10 days).
In November 2001, dutasteride by the US FDA as a drug against BPH, and it came on the market under the name Avodart. In the Netherlands, the drug was only in 2003 on the market. The agent has also been tested successfully by GSK for treatment of alopecia, but never in the absence of commercial potential placed on the market as such.
Genesis
The substance dutasteride was developed by the pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). The results of finasteride at the condition benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH, benign prostatic hyperplasia) fell against; GSK therefore wanted to develop an alternative means. At BPH plays, as with androgenetic hair loss, the male hormone DHT a large role. It means that there had to come had to reduce the DHT-values more efficiently than finasteride.
Dutasteride vs Finasteride
Although finasteride and dutasteride have a comparable effect, dutasteride is more effective in reducing DHT-values. This is for two reasons.
- Dutasteride is about three times as effective as finasteride in the suppression of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase type 2. This type is thought to play the largest role in the conversion of testosterone to DHT in the hair follicles.
- Dutasteride inhibits the action of 5-alpha-reductase type 1 Finasteride arrested only type 2 and type 1 allows almost untouched.
When daily intake of 0.5mg, the production of DHT by 93% on average (compared finasteride causes a decrease of 70% DHT). The substance remains much longer in the blood. Is half of the substance finasteride already degraded within 8 hours, dutasteride this takes on average 240 hours (10 days).
In November 2001, dutasteride by the US FDA as a drug against BPH, and it came on the market under the name Avodart. In the Netherlands, the drug was only in 2003 on the market. The agent has also been tested successfully by GSK for treatment of alopecia, but never in the absence of commercial potential placed on the market as such.