Comparison of the Effect of 2% Finasteride Topical Solution Versus 5% Minoxidil Topical Solution in the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia in Men: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Introduction: About 50% of men experience different types of hair loss by the age of 50. To treat this problem, based on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the aim of this study was to compare the effect of 2% topical finasteride solution versus 5% topical minoxidil solution in the treatment of androgenic alopecia in men. Materials & Methods: The study was quasi-experimental and was conducted on 194 men with the initial complaint of hair loss in the dermatology clinic of Imam Reza Hospital in Ardabil during September 2020 and June 2021, who were randomly divided into two equal groups by the random block method. Data were collected by a checklist and then analyzed by using descriptive statistical methods in SPSS V.21. The significance level was considered less than 0.05. Results: In the minoxidil and finasteride group, the pull test was negative in 17.7% and 24.5% of patients during the first month, respectively. In 2-3% of patients in the minoxidil group, tension headache and scalp irritation were reported, but no such side effects were found in the finasteride group. In general, reduction of hair loss and hair regrowth during six months of continuous use of the drug was observed in 65.6% of patients in the minoxidil group and 85.4% of patients in the finasteride group. Conclusion: Topical solutions of finasteride and minoxidil were effective and safe in the treatment of mild to severe androgenetic alopecia in men.