Background. Male pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in men, o
ccurs with varying severity and age of onset. Two new treatments widely ava
ilable as alternatives to 2% minoxidil are 1 mg finasteride and topical 5%
minoxidil. Finasteride is a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor available by prescr
iption only; 5% minoxidil is available over the counter.
Methods. We searched MEDLINE to identify all articles on AGA and its pharma
cologic therapies.
Results. We found limited information on AGA in peer review medical journal
s. Associated diseases include psychologic disorders and coronary heart dis
ease. Hair growth is unpredictable and limited for all pharmacologic therap
ies, with the vast majority of treatment studies being industry sponsored.
Conclusion, AGA. is not easy to treat. Finasteride and 5% minoxidil offer n
ew therapeutic options to the balding man. Treatment options may improve as
new drugs are further investigated.