Dawaa Reference

Clinical reference

Androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss)

Treatment options, dosing, cautions and Egyptian brands from the shipped Dawaa Reference card.

Evidence status

Checked against the sources named below

Sources3 sources

BAD Guidelines for Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss · Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Endocrine System 2024 (finasteride monograph) · Regaine 5% Cutaneous Solution SmPC section 4.2 (eMC product 5765)

Verified against2 documents
  • Regaine 5% Cutaneous Solution SmPC section 4.2 (eMC product 5765)
  • Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Endocrine System 2024 (finasteride monograph)

Verified date2026-08

Presentation reference

Is it this?

Reference only, to read alongside your own examination.

Symptoms — what the patient reports (4)

  • Hair loss develops gradually and predictably after puberty [hair loss]
  • In men it usually starts with thinning at both temples of the front scalp, later involving the crown
  • In women the thinning is more spread out, often centered on the crown while the front hairline is preserved
  • Early-onset disease in men is defined as starting before age 30

Signs — what you find (1)

  • The Norwood-Hamilton scale grades severity in men, and the Ludwig scale grades it in women

Tests (6)

  • Dermoscopy can show miniaturized hairs and brown perihilar casts, helping separate this from alopecia areata
  • Alopecia areata instead shows exclamation-point hairs with a tapered fracture pattern on dermoscopy
  • A biopsy is usually not needed unless the diagnosis is unclear
  • Thyroid tests, a complete blood count, and iron studies such as serum iron, TIBC, and ferritin may be added to check for other causes
  • Syphilis screening can be considered if there is clinical suspicion
  • A brief mental-health screen for depression or other psychiatric conditions is suggested for hair-loss patients

If not this — what else fits (5)

  • Alopecia areata is a mimic to distinguish from pattern hair loss
  • Anagen effluvium, hair loss during the growth phase, is on the differential
  • Syphilis can cause hair loss and belongs on the differential
  • Various systemic illnesses are considered as alternative causes
  • Telogen effluvium is a differential, and can also unmask underlying pattern hair loss

SourceStatPearls "Androgenetic Alopecia" - disease-level clinical article

Presentation findings are traced to the source above.

1

MINOXIDIL

1st line

Formtopical

Adult dose and duration

A dose of 1 ml Regaine for Men Extra Strength Scalp Solution 5% w/v Cutaneous Solution should be applied to the total affected areas of the scalp twice daily (total dosage should not exceed 2 ml). - long-term (continuous)

Paediatric dose

Not indicated in children under 18 years

Choice

Alternatives. Topical minoxidil is the first-line agent that carries no systemic sexual side effects, which matters when the treatment is cosmetic and indefinite.

Dose source

Regaine 5% Cutaneous Solution SmPC section 4.2 (eMC product 5765)

Why

Topical vasodilator that prolongs the growth phase of hair follicles and increases follicle size in pattern hair loss; the exact mechanism is not fully understood, and any benefit is only maintained with continued use.

Cautions
  • Initial transient shedding of hair during first 2-6 weeks of treatment is expected.
  • Must be continued indefinitely; hair loss recurs within 3-4 months of stopping.
  • Scalp irritation, contact dermatitis, and facial hypertrichosis (especially in women) may occur.
  • Avoid in patients with scalp inflammation or breakdown.
  • In women, the 5% strength is licensed as a once-daily foam; the twice-daily 5% solution is the men's regimen. Twice-daily 5% solution in a woman raises the risk of facial hypertrichosis.
  • Contraindicated during pregnancy or lactation.
Egyptian brands
Egyptian brandManufacturerIndicative price
MINOXIDIL FORTE 5% TOPICAL GEL 60 GMEGPI > PHARMACARE127.00 EGP
2

FINASTERIDE

1st line

Strength1 mg

Formoral.solid

Adult dose and duration

1 mg once daily (men only) - Continue for 3-6 months to assess full effect; continuous use is recommended to sustain benefit

Paediatric dose

CONTRAINDICATED in children and women

Dose source

Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Endocrine System 2024 (finasteride monograph)

Why

Selective 5-alpha reductase inhibitor for male pattern androgenetic alopecia

Cautions
  • STRICTLY CONTRAINDICATED IN WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING POTENTIAL: pregnant women must not touch crushed/broken tablets (teratogenic risk to male fetus).
  • There are rare reports of persistent sexual side effects and depression post-discontinuation.
  • Impotence occurs in >10% of patients; decreased libido and ejaculatory disorders occur in 1-10%.
Egyptian brands
Egyptian brandManufacturerIndicative price
PROHAIR 1 MG 30 TAB.SIGMA24.00 EGP (0.80/unit)
NOPECIA 1 MG 30 CAPS.ADWIA36.00 EGP (1.20/unit)

Prices are indicative (dataset snapshot 2026-06); verify with the pharmacy.