Avodart and the Hair Market

Dear Dr Rassman
You wrote an answer to someone yesterday saying this:

“The issues of safety and effectiveness have not been fully explored in the youth like you with Avodart. Without that information in a research controlled, FDA approved study, there is no way to tell the answer to your question. Unfortunately, the manufacturer has not elected to sell into the hair market, despite the good blocking effect that Avodart has on the targeted enzyme. The FDA has certified this drug for prostate disease and I suspect based upon this, the drug should have no impact on the egg fertilized by the sperm of a man taking the drug, or when having unprotected sex during pregnancy”

Does that mean that they do not want to put Avodart on the market for hair loss after all? Please Advise!!! Thanks

The answer you’re referencing is something I wrote way, way back in February 2006, before official trials for using Avodart as a hair loss treatment took place. I’ll know much more about Avodart after the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons (ISHRS) meeting next month in Amsterdam and will post what I find on the blog.