Thoughts on Topical Finasteride in Addition to Ru-58841?

[SuperDPAsteve]

My derm is willing to write me a prescription for a topical Fin/Min compound. Do you think it would be safe to use and the efficacy would be increased by also applying topical RU-58841 before or after applying the Fin compound? I currently have a two month supply of RU.

From what I understand, RU is thought to either go systemic in negligible amounts or that it is broken down harmlessly upon absorption, thus the lack of systemic involvement in monkeys.

On the other hard, the two largest studies of topical finasteride seem to indicate that systemic absorption is anywhere between 5-30% with systemic DHT levels seen to be reduced by as little as 5%(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/29972712/) and as much as 70%
(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/26636418/).

My concerns are as follows:

1.) would the seemingly increased tendency of topical Finasteride to go systemic also encourage RU to do the same? Would Fin “hold the door open” for RU?

2.) I’ve read studies that show total androgen deprivation of the heart muscle can lead to heart failure and death, as seen in patients with prostate cancer who are put on a near-total androgen blocker regimen. Because we know RU58841 is a non-selective androgen blocker, is it possible that systemic RU +Fin could reduce androgen in vital organs enough to cause damage, or even death?

3.) Thus far I have no sides on RU. I did however get bad sides on 0.25mg ED oral Finasteride. I’m willing to try topical Fin and stop again if sides present. Should I therefore start with just the topical Fin/min and stop RU to watch for sides? I’ve heard that any change in regimen can induce TE which I’m already experiencing due to starting minox 5%.

Yikes that’s a long post but hopefully others are in a similar situation and are equally curious.

Cheers