"Dutasteride is a medication that blocks an enzyme known as 5-alpha reductase (5-AR)," explains Dr. Simon Pimstone, founder, and director, at XYON Health Inc. "This enzyme is responsible for the production of dihydrotestosterone (or DHT), which is the androgen hormone that plays a key role in prostate development and male pattern hair loss."
Dutasteride is often used in situations where hair loss is extensive or not responsive to another treatment known as finasteride.
Both of these treatments block 5-AR, however, Pimstone points out that dutasteride inhibits two forms of the enzyme known as isoforms I and II, whereas finasteride only acts on isoform II.
Finasteride also only blocks about 70% of the conversion of testosterone into DHT. Dutasteride can block more than 90%Trusted Source.
Taking dutasteride orally works by stopping the conversion of testosterone to DHT in the body so that the DHT doesn't have the chance to reach the hair follicles.
When applied topically, it works by stopping DHT conversion in the hair follicles.
