Question about Topical Finasteride

[Baldin´]

Hi all, i'm new in the forums, and i would like to make a question about topical finasteride. I know, as of today, topical finasteride is not proven to have a local effect, so it goes systemic, just like oral finasteride. But, i think i may be still interested in that, because i have some digestive issues (i have slight Chron's), and i think my stomach doesn't like oral finasteride a lot. So, the question would be...even knowing that it goes systemic, does it have the same effect on hairloss?

By the way, i know it's not proven, but why there isn't more interest in topical finasteride? I mean, even if systemic, you bypass the Stomach and it may be also easier for the Liver?

The only problem i see is if you are living with a pregnant woman...But it's not my case.

Thanks in advance

 

[zzzzz]

This study suggests they are exactly the same in terms of effectiveness and sides

Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2014 Jul 30. [Epub ahead of print]
A novel finasteride 0.25% topical solution for androgenetic alopecia: pharmacokinetics and effects on plasma androgen levels in healthy male volunteers.

Caserini M, Radicioni M, Leuratti C, Annoni O, Palmieri R.
Abstract

Objective: Finasteride, a selective inhibitor of type 2 5-alpha reductase isoenzyme, inhibits the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and is indicated in the treatment of male androgenetic alopecia. The study objective was to evaluate a newly developed finasteride 0.25% topical solution in comparison to the marketed finasteride 1 mg tablet, with respect to finasteride pharmacokinetics and suppressive effects on plasma DHT. Methods: 24 healthy men with androgenetic alopecia were randomized in a single center, open-label, parallel-group, exploratory study, and received either multiple scalp applications of the topical solution b.i.d. or oral doses of the reference tablet o.d. for 7 days. Plasma finasteride, testosterone and DHT concentrations were determined. Results: After multiple doses, mean (± SD) finasteride Cmax and AUC00-t corresponded to 0.46 ± 0.28 ng/mL and 6.64 ± 7.50 ng/mL x h for the topical solution and to 6.86 ± 1.78 ng/mL and 57.93 ± 29.38 ng/mL x h for the tablet. Plasma DHT was reduced by ~ 68 - 75% with the topical solution and by ~ 62 - 72% with the tablet. No relevant changes occurred for plasma testosterone with either treatment. No clinically significant adverse events occurred. Conclusions: A strong and similar inhibition of plasma DHT was found after 1 week of treatment with the topical and tablet finasteride ormulations, albeit finasteride plasma exposure was significantly lower with the topical than with the oral product (p < 0.0001).

 

[Baldin´]

Thanks for the answer zzzzz,

Anyone knows what would be good vehicles in order to achieve a good efficacy? Maybe ethanol? I won't have trouble getting a presciption. And i will go to a pharmacy where i know they can make it. Maybe i can even ask for chitosan, but i think that may be too complicated for them to make. Or maybe i can buy some brand that sells topical finasteride, or minoxidil+finasteride...i think there are already a few brands...

BTW, i have some news about the new 0.25% topical with nano particles (chitosan) from Polichem: they told me it will be available in a few years.

 

[kissmyscalp]

BTW, i have some news about the new 0.25% topical with nano particles (chitosan) from Polichem: they told me it will be available in a few years.

Years ???

How do you know that ?

 

[zzzzz]

why would you still want to take topical finasteride after reading that? There is no benefits of taking it topically vs orally. Also, the efficacy with the given vehicle is already excellent considering enough gets into the blood to make it the same as oral finasteride