Q. Xandrox15 already contains 5% azelaic acid to decrease DHT in the scalp. Why add finasteride?
A. Although topical azelaic acid will prevent the synthesis of DHT in the scalp where it is applied, it does not protect the hair follicles from DHT circulating in the bloodstream. Finasteride applied topically can and does decrease the serum DHT and, although the 5-alpha reductase enzymes in the scalp is primarily Type I, there are also Type II 5AR's in the scalp that the topically applied finasteride can inactivate.
Q. Since finasteride inhibits only the Type 1 5-alpha reductase, how do you know that the serum DHT is decreased with the use of topical finasteride?
A. Independent studies from other researchers (e.g. Rushton and Ramsay in an article in the British Journal of Medicine) have shown that topical finasteride lowers the serum by inhibiting the synthesis of DHT in the prostate. "A 0.05% formulation of topical finasteride was well absorbed and lowered the serum dihydrotestosterone concentration by up to 40%".
Q. Should Xandrox15-PLUS be used by patients who are, or who are not taking oral finasteride?
A. Xandrox15-PLUS can be used as the sole treatment for treating male pattern baldness or as a supplement to patients who are already using the oral finasteride, as oral finasteride 1mg/daily lowers the amount of DHT in the scalp by only 38% (Roger S. Rittmaster, M.D. at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) meeting in San Francisco, March 2000).
