Is Avodart Going to Be FDA Approved for Treating Hair Loss?

I read someone’s comment in one of your blog entries from long ago, suggesting that Avodart was seeking approval from the FDA (something about being in Stage 2 trials). We know it hasn’t gotten FDA approval, but are they actually seeking it?

There is a report just published two weeks ago on the U.S. government website ClinicalTrials.gov which indicates that phase III clinical trials are in process for Avodart in Korea. That is great news for us, because the indications are strong that Avodart (dutasteride) will be more effective than Propecia for the treatment of male patterned genetic hair loss. The most pointed questions which need to be answered are the frequency of side effects, particularly sexual libido supression.

There are some studies out there proving the efficacy of Avodart (dutasteride) for prevention of hair loss. It is documented that blocking type one 5-alpha reductase may be as important as type two in treatment of baldness. Unfortunately, the study done at Duke University, published in December 2006, is limited to 24 weeks and we don’t have enough information on the long term effects of dutasteride on hair loss.