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Research Suggests Avodart is not a Desirable Hair Restoration Option
by Alexandra Kilpatrick
Are you pregnant or planning to become pregnant? If so, medical advisers warn you to avoid the drug dutasteride- Avodart- since the drug can cause serious birth defects and risks can continue several months after stopping use.
Simply handling the drug can expose pregnant women to Avodart’s risks, which include abnormalities in male fetuses. Even if pregnancy is not a concern, research shows little evidence that Avodart is effective in treating female pattern hair loss.
Avodart is approved for treating enlarged prostates in men and sometimes prescribed as an off label treatment for male and female pattern hair loss. The hormone inhibitor drug blocks type I and type II of the enzyme 5a reductase, which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, a hormone that contributes to hair loss in men and prostate enlargement. Avodart reduces dihydrotestosterone levels in the scalp, which, in turn, slows hair loss and increases hair growth.
Trials provided evidence that Avodart can effectively treat male pattern baldness, but side effects included sexual problems like decreased libido and erectile dysfunction, as well as male breast enlargement, depression and skin reactions.
However, it is difficult to determine how well Avodart would work in treating hair loss in women, due to limited evidence from clinical trials and the multiple hair loss causes and contributing factors, including a diet lacking in protein, certain medications like antidepressants and blood thinners, low estrogen and potentially damaging hairstyles.
Although numerous studies examining Avodart’s effectiveness in treating hair loss in women, whether alone or in combination with other medications like Propecia, have yielded some positive results, most of these studies were small. The long-term safety and effectiveness also remain unclear.
Minoxidil 2 percent, including both Rogaine and generic, remains the only FDA-approved treatment for female pattern hair loss in the United States.
“Topical minoxidil is the gold standard treatment for women,” Paradi Mirmirani, M.D., a dermatologist with Vallejo, California’s Permanente Medical Group and adjunct professor at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, told Fox News.
Any woman with thinning hair or significant hair loss should speak with a doctor about possible underlying causes like iron deficiency, lupus, skin disorders and such hormonal conditions as thyroid disease. If such conditions are ruled out, a specialist might recommend treating the hair loss with minoxidil.
Experts suggest using either 2 or 5 percent minoxidil products for 12 months before judging its effectiveness. Benefits may appear sooner, but evidence shows that once you stop using minoxidil, any new hairs fall out within three to four months.
If you or someone you know would like to learn more about treating hair loss, please feel free to schedule a consultation or contact one of our representatives today!
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