A cross-sectional randomized comparative study of topical minoxidil solution with and without finasteride in male pattern androgenetic alopecia in South Indian patients

Background: Finasteride is one of the common drugs used in androgenetic alopecia. Literature speaks about sexual side effects in about 2% of the patients. To overcome this, we used topical finasteride. The objective of the study was to know the efficacy of topical minoxidil solution with and without finasteride. Methods: We randomized about 300 subjects, aged 18-45 years, who came for outpatient consultation for male pattern androgenetic alopecia into two groups. One group (group A) treated with 0.1% topical finasteride with 5% minoxidil solution and another group (group B) treated with 5% minoxidil solution after informed consent from both of them. Results: Analysis of the extent of bald area, hair count and number of terminal hair showed no significant difference in both the groups. Conclusions: No significant difference in the therapeutic response of topical minoxidil solution whether its plain or added with topical finasteride. So, adding topical finasteride in the minoxidil solution found to be of no value. It only adds up the cost and also creates the unnecessary fear of sexual side effects in the mind of the patients.