HAIR TRANSPLANT FORUM

The treatment of androgenetic alopecia is not an FDA-approved indication for Avodart (dutasteride). Therefore, GlaxoSmithKline may not make recommendations on the sue of Avodart for this purpose.


A phase II multi-center, double blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 416 males with AGA , ages 21 to 45 years, to evaluate the dose response relationship of Avodart on hair growth. Repeated doses of Avodart (0.05 mg, 0.1mg, 0.5mg, and 2.5 mg daily) were compared to placebo for 6 months. Safety and tolerability of the varying dose of Avodart and fiansteride 5 mg daily compared with placebo were also investigated.

The most common drug-related adverse events were decreased libido experienced by 13% of subjects receiving Avodart 2.5 mg/day, followed by howdahes experienced by 8% of the Avodart 0.1 mg/day group and 6% of the Avodart 0.5 mg/day and 2.5 mg/day group.

In studying a 0.79 square inch target mean hair counts decreased for placebo treated patients. At 24 weeks hair counts were 62 for Avodart 0.05 mg/day, 66 for Avodart 16.8 mg/day, 95.5 for Avodart 0.5 mg/day, 109.8 for Avodart 2.5 mg/day, 73.2 for finasteride 5 mg/day, and -29.6 for placebo.

Avodart was discontinued at the 24 week mark. Hair counts were then reassessed at the 36 week mark (12 weeks after stopping Avodart and Finasteride). Mean hair counts decreased for Avodart 0.05 mg/day, Avodart 0.1 mg/day, Finasteride 5 mg/day and placebo during the drug free time. Improvement in hair counts was maintained for Avodart 0.5 mg/day and Avodart 2.5 mg/day 12 weeks after discontinuing the medication.

In studying a 0.79 square inch target mean hair counts decreased for placebo treated patients progressively.

At 36 weeks hair counts were -17.1 for Avodart 0.05 mg/day, 16.8 for Avodart 16.8 mg/day, 84.3 for Avodart 0.5 mg/day, 119.8 for Avodart 2.5 mg/day, 13.2 for finasteride 5 mg/day, and -37.3 for placebo.

Hi Dr Cole,

Ok, can I just uncrunch some numbers with you here, the + side of avodart is as follows[
In studying a 0.79 square inch target mean hair counts decreased for placebo treated patients. At 24 weeks hair counts were 62 for Avodart 0.05 mg/day, 66 for Avodart 16.8 mg/day, 95.5 for Avodart 0.5 mg/day, 109.8 for Avodart 2.5 mg/day, 73.2 for finasteride 5 mg/day, and -29.6 for placebo. ]


So, 2.5 p/d does of Avordart resulted in a gain of 109.8 hairs per sq inch? While the placibo lost 29.6 hairs? This is fantastic news and a great result? How come no one else is postin on this thread?!?[/quote]

Thank you hairtec,

As a proscar user for a number of years now, (With slow thinning continuing despite my Dr Lee mega Xandrox, topical spiro & general vitamins) I would be a good candiate to move over to duasteride?

Also, I seem to remeber Dr Cole posting to say that using both proscar and duasteride together may be of some use? The price of proscar in the UK is quite cheap at the moment so I am happy to continue with it!


Is it possilbe to get private perscriptions for duasteride, ether in the UK or US?

Many thanks

Tim

Switching to Avodart might stimulate your regrowth. It is like a body building...if you do the same exercise for years, your muscle will get use to them and you will not increase the mass. if you will change exercise and the sets every know and then , you will stimulate the muscle and have more results.

Noval, since you are our patient you can get prescription for either Propecia or Avodart...just call the office and ask for one of the patient coordinators.

Is there any way to get the dosage (mg) increased on my current advodart prescription?

some feel a higher dosage of proscar is more effective, but it has not been shown in clinical trials to achieve and added benefit. i'd use proscar or propecia 1mg to start. if you do not repsond to this, you might consider avodart. the least expensive way to take finasteride is to cut the proscar tabs in quarters. this is how i might begin. the only problem i see with this method is that some days you are taking more than 1.25 mg and other days you are taking less than 1.25 mg. its a crap shoot.

certainly some patients take higher dose avodart. we can always discuss this.