I have been taking finasteride for a year with no benefit, should I switch to Dutasteride?

Dutasteride has been shown to be about 85% effective in blocking the enzyme 5-alpha reductase which is the active enzyme where DHT causes hair loss. Finasteride (Propecia) is about 70% effective. If you decide to take Dutasteride instead of Finasteride, don’t take the two together, no need. There are more side effects from Dutasteride than Finasteride. Initial shedding has been reported with both drugs but the shedding rarely lasts more than a few months and reverses the hair loss when it occurs. As hair takes time to grow out (1/2 inch per month), you don’t see the regrowth very quickly.