Hair
Dutasteride (Oral)
Outperforms finasteride head-to-head by inhibiting both 5α-reductase isoenzymes — with a longer half-life, so side effects take longer to clear.
Also called: dut · avodart · dutas
Verdict — legit
Does what it claims, with evidence behind it.
Evidence grade B
At least one good randomised trial, or consistent findings across controlled studies.
Mechanism
Inhibits type I and type II 5α-reductase, suppressing serum DHT by roughly 90% versus finasteride's ~70%, with a terminal half-life of weeks rather than hours.
Citations
- Dutasteride versus finasteride in men with androgenetic alopecia: a randomized controlled trialJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2014
The full read
Randomised head-to-head trials show greater hair count increases than finasteride at 24 weeks, and it is licensed for androgenetic alopecia in several countries (off-label in others). The trade is symmetrical to the benefit: more complete DHT suppression means a larger effect and a larger potential side-effect surface, and the long half-life means that if something does go wrong it takes weeks to wash out rather than days. Reasonable second line for finasteride non-responders, under a prescriber, with the fertility and mood questions discussed up front rather than after. Same category as `finasteride`, one step further along.
