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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Finasteride and Minoxidil (oral & topical) are closely matched across evidence, studies, and safety.
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
1 mg once daily for male pattern hair loss (Propecia); 5 mg once daily for benign prostatic hyperplasia (Proscar). A prescription drug — use under a clinician.
any
Oral tablet (1 mg for hair, 5 mg for BPH)
Topical 2–5% solution or 5% foam applied to the scalp (men: 5% twice daily or once-daily foam; women: 2% twice daily or 5% foam once daily). Low-dose ORAL minoxidil is off-label and clinician-titrated, typically 0.25–5 mg once daily. A drug — not an approved supplement regimen.
anytime
Topical 5% foam/solution (OTC) for most; low-dose oral minoxidil under a clinician for poor topical responders
3-12 months to visible effect
Months to years
Throughout use; sometimes persistent
Throughout use
3–6 months
3–6 months
Weeks to months
Throughout use
Finasteride in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (1998) · Rct · n=1553
Pivotal double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled trials of finasteride 1 mg/day for male pattern hair loss
Long-term (5-year) multinational experience with finasteride 1 mg in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia.
European journal of dermatology : EJD (2002) · Rct · n=1553
Five-year placebo-controlled extension of the pivotal Phase III hair-loss trials
The impact of monotherapies for male androgenetic alopecia: A network meta-analysis study.
Journal of cosmetic dermatology (2024) · Meta analysis
Network meta-analysis of monotherapies for male androgenetic alopecia
A randomized clinical trial of 5% topical minoxidil versus 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2002) · Rct · n=393
48-week double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter RCT in 393 men with androgenetic alopecia
A multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of a novel formulation of 5% minoxidil topical foam versus placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2007) · Rct · n=352
16-week double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT of 5% minoxidil foam in 352 men (52-week open-label safety extension)
Efficacy and Safety of Once-Daily Minoxidil Foam 5% Versus Twice-Daily Minoxidil Solution 2% in Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Phase III, Randomized, Investigator-Blinded Study.
Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD (2016) · Rct · n=322
Phase III randomized, investigator-blinded trial in 322 women with female pattern hair loss
Both Finasteride and Minoxidil (oral & topical) are closely matched — the best choice depends on your specific health goals.
No known interactions between Finasteride and Minoxidil (oral & topical) have been documented in our database. However, always consult a healthcare provider before combining supplements.