Kaufman Finasteride 5-Year Study: Key Findings Explained in Plain Language
90% of men on finasteride maintained or regrew hair over 5 years, while 100% of the placebo group continued losing hair.
Study overview
Conducted by
Dr. K.D. Kaufman et al., Merck Research Laboratories
Patients
1,553 men with male pattern hair loss
Duration
5 years (extension of original Phase 3 trial)
Published in
European Journal of Dermatology
Year
2002
Key findings
90% maintained or improved hair at 5 years
Combining the patients who maintained their hair with those who regrew hair, 9 out of 10 men on finasteride did not continue losing hair over the full 5-year period.
100% of placebo group lost more hair
Every single patient in the control group experienced continued hair loss over 5 years. This starkly illustrates the progressive nature of untreated male pattern baldness.
Hair count increased from baseline in the treatment group
On average, men on finasteride had more hair at year 5 than when they started, measured by standardized photography and hair counts in target areas.
Side effects remained low and stable
The incidence of sexual side effects (reported in approximately 2% of users) did not increase over the 5-year period and reversed upon discontinuation.
What this means for you
This is the longest and largest finasteride hair loss study ever published. The message is clear: finasteride stops the process and can reverse it, but only if you keep taking it. The comparison to the placebo group -- every single person continued losing hair -- demonstrates that male pattern baldness is guaranteed to progress without intervention.
Limitations
The study used oral finasteride (1mg daily), not topical. Topical formulations like LYV's may have different systemic absorption and therefore different side effect profiles. The study was sponsored by Merck, the manufacturer. Results were in men only.
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