Minoxidil vs Finasteride

Minoxidil (S-tier) vs Finasteride (S-tier). mechanism, trials, evidence boundaries, dosing literature. side-by-side reference.

Minoxidil · tier S

Minoxidil has separate evidence lanes: FDA-reviewed topical products for pattern hair loss and an oral tablet labeled for severe hypertension. Oral hair use is off-label.

Labeled topical minoxidil increases hair counts and regrowth in specified pattern-hair-loss populations while treatment continues. A 24-week male trial did not show oral minoxidil superiority on the primary hair-density comparisons, and oral hair use remains off-label.

45% more reported regrowth with topical 5% versus 2% at week 48 · half-life 4.2 h mean plasma value for the oral severe-hypertension tablet, not topical products · skin

Finasteride · tier S

Finasteride is an oral type-II 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor with an FDA-approved male-pattern-hair-loss indication in men and large randomized hair-count trials.

Oral finasteride 1 mg slows progression and improves measured scalp-hair outcomes in men with androgenetic alopecia while treatment continues. That record does not transfer to compounded topical products, women, children, or every pattern of hair loss.

+107 hairs placebo-adjusted one-year vertex-area difference · half-life about 5 to 6 h in adults aged 18 to 60 after oral tablets; longer in older adults · skin

at a glance

• Minoxidil: tier S · 45% more reported regrowth with topical 5% versus 2% at week 48
• Finasteride: tier S · +107 hairs placebo-adjusted one-year vertex-area difference

reptides grades the research record and cites the literature behind every call. research reference only; not medical advice.