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 November
11, 2002 - Hairlosshelp previously reported the news that
Glaxo would be resuming Phase 3 hair loss trials. According
to our sources they had already selected the sites for the
studies and the trials were scheduled to begin in March 2003.
However
late last week we received word that Glaxo has now called
off the Phase 3 hair loss trials. This is now the second time
that Glaxo has pulled the plug on its Phase 3 hair loss trials.
According
to our source, the reason for this is that Glaxo's management
does not think that Dutasteride will be able to be sufficiently
differentiated from Propecia in the consumers mind to make
the drug significantly profitable. We do not have any confirmation
from Glaxo as to their reason why they pulled the plug.
Fortunately
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Dutasteride,
also known as under its brand name Avodart®, for the treatment
of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with
an enlarged prostate.
This
means that hair loss sufferers can still get this drug if
its prescribed for off-label purposes by their physicians.
Dutasteride,
a second-generation 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, is the first
and only medicine to inhibit both the type 1 and type 2 enzymes
responsible for the conversion of testosterone to DHT (dihydrotestosterone),
the primary cause of prostate growth. Dutasteride's dual inhibition
decreases levels of DHT by 90 percent at two weeks and 93
percent at two years.
According
to Glaxo, Dutasteride will be available in pharmacies in December
2002.
For more
information about Dutasteride (Avodart®)
visit www.dutasteride.org.
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