Men suffering from Male Pattern Baldness are often recommended Finasteride. 

Your doctor may have prescribed the pills, but you may have a fellow friend or family member who has used its spray form and got good results.

It’s natural to get confused between the two. If you are also unable to make the decision, don’t worry, you are at the right place.

FDA approved Finasteride for treating Male Pattern Baldness in 1997.

It is available in two forms: pills (tablet) and spray (solution).

This article will discuss the difference between the two in detail, helping you decide which is better.

Difference between Finasteride pill and spray

It can be a general misconception that because spray and pill both contain Finasteride, they will work similarly. 

There are some crucial differences which include:

Mechanism of action

Finasteride prevents the body from producing Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a naturally occurring Testosterone derivative that aids in male sexual development.

DHT has been connected to hair loss as It can bind to the receptors in the scalp and lead to the gradual miniaturization of hair follicles 

This process makes the follicles incapable of producing healthy hair.

Thus, lowering DHT levels may be the secret to reversing Male Pattern Baldness.

When Finasteride is consumed orally, it reduces DHT more effectively. 

But in the case of topical application, Finasteride spray only acts as a localized treatment; hence, it does not inhibit DHT as effectively.

Fact
Finasteride does not lead to a 100% reduction in DHT; hair loss is slowed but not completely halted.

FDA-approval

FDA approved Finasteride pill for treating men with pattern baldness at a dose of 1 mg. in 1997.

It is also a prescription medication for treating Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).

Oral tablets are often prescribed along with other medications as it helps in maximizing hair growth.

A study was conducted in 2015 on 50 male patients aged 20-40 years with Androgenetic Alopecia. They were given a combination of Finasteride and Minoxidil.

The result showed that 84.44% of these patients maintained a good hair density throughout the trial.

In the case of Finasteride spray, there has been no approval to date by the US Food and Drug Administration. It may be because more evidence is needed to prove its efficacy.

It is essential to use Finasteride topically only when your doctor or dermatologist prescribes it. 

However, a Swiss pharmaceutical company named Polichem is working towards obtaining FDA approval for topical Finasteride, and they have published a report too. 


Based on the information provided, Polichem’s clinical trial has determined that P-3074, the working name of topical Finasteride compound, performed no better and no worse than oral Finasteride.

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Side effects

The oral consumption of Finasteride is FDA-approved and works better than the topical application of this drug. 

But with all the benefits, it also has some side effects. It includes:

  • Chills
  • Cold sweats
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Lightheadedness when getting up suddenly

Moreover, as DHT is a male sex hormone, a decrease in its level may have side effects like:

  • Impotence
  • Lower sex drive
  • Difficulty achieving orgasm
  • Abnormal ejaculation
  • Gynecomastia (male breast development)

On the other hand, topical Finasteride reduces the risk of systemic side effects, such as sexual dysfunction. 

The adverse reactions restrict to the area of application, which may include the following:

  • Scalp pruritus
  • Burning sensation
  • Irritation
  • Contact Dermatitis
  • Erythema

Usage by women

As mentioned, Finasteride’s oral formulation is FDA-approved only for Male Pattern Baldness. 

It has not yet got approval for treating Female Pattern Hair Loss.

This means that it will only be prescribed to women by their dermatologists in rare circumstances.

A study by the American Academy of Dermatology on 137 postmenopausal women with female Pattern Hair Loss found no effect on hair growth after consuming 1 mg of Finasteride daily for a year.

As we have discussed, the topical formulation of Finasteride has fewer side effects as compared to when consumed orally; the Finasteride spray may have the potential to be used for women. 

However, studies are being conducted to prove the efficacy of topical use of Finasteride for women with pattern hair loss. 

In a study, the efficacies of topical 0.25% Finasteride spray (1-4 sprays; 50–200 ?l/day) and once-daily Finasteride 1 mg oral tablet were similar when given for 24 weeks.

Administration

The administration of the Finasteride pill and spray has to be different by the nature of its formulation. It has to be administered differently in the following ways:

For Finasteride pill:

  • Do not chew, crush, or break the pill; swallow it whole
  • You can have it either before or after the meal
  • Don’t miss a dose, and it is advisable to take it at a fixed time

For Finasteride spray:

  • Hold the spray container about two to three inches from the head
  • Part the hair slightly and spray the recommended number of sprays
  • Apply the sprays where the hairline recedes typically, like the crown, top, and both sides in the front
  • Once sprayed, massage the solution into the scalp and let it rest
  • Don’t forget to wash your hands afterward
Warning
Finasteride in any form is strictly not recommended for use during pregnancy.

Takeaway

The administration of the Finasteride pill and the spray has to be different by nature. 

When orally consumed, it has better effects than when applied topically.

There are more side effects of the Finasteride pill than the spray. 

The tablet can have systemic side effects due to oral consumption, while spray only has mild localized effects.

Finasteride is not approved for women, but studies are being conducted to prove its efficacy for Female Pattern Hair Loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Finasteride spray as effective as pills?

Finasteride spray and pill work similarly, but the effect can be different. The oral pill has comparatively higher systemic exposure. It more effectively reduces DHT, the hormone responsible for hair loss in men. Spray only has a localized effect and doesn’t reduce DHT as effectively.

Is Finasteride spray safer than the pill?

Finasteride spray is only applied on the scalp. Thus its side effects are limited to a specific area of its application. But Finasteride pill is consumed orally and has a higher chance of systemic exposure, thus reducing safety.

What is the safest way to take Finasteride?

The safe way to take the Finasteride pill is to consume it as a whole without breaking or crushing it. Do not chew it; swallow it with water. In the case of Finasteride spray, apply it from two to three inches away from the scalp and then massage it gently.

Is Finasteride a pill or liquid?

Initially, Finasteride was only used in its oral form for treating men with pattern baldness. Later, its topical form was also introduced. People with Androgenetic Alopecia can use Finasteride pills and spray on the doctor’s recommendation.

Citations:
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