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Dutasteride vs TUDCA: side-by-side comparison

Ancillary

Avodart · Dut · Duta

A dual 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that blocks both Type I and Type II isoenzymes, reducing serum DHT by roughly 90-94% at steady state (FDA trial median; some sources cite up to ~98%), versus ~70% with finasteride. More potent than finasteride for hair loss prevention but with a very long half-life of ~5 weeks. Clinically superior to finasteride for hair count and growth in head-to-head trials. Same caveats apply: only works with testosterone-based compounds, not DHT derivatives, and worsens nandrolone-related hair loss.

1.0/10 natty
Full breakdown →
VS
Ancillary

Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid · Taurursodiol

A bile acid used for extreme liver protection during oral steroid cycles. Provides hepatoprotection by improving bile flow and reducing cellular stress.

1.0/10 natty
Full breakdown →

1 / 10 natty scale / 1

Same lane

Both sit in the same class and are run for health. This is a like-for-like comparison: read the gaps as real trade-offs.

The tape

Core ratings

The same three rulers every entry on the site is scored with, read head to head.

DutasterideTUDCA
1.0

Natty scale

1 natural · 10 heavy

1.0
4.5

Effectiveness

Documented effect · of 5

4.5
2.5

Side-effect severity

Documented burden · of 5Δ1.5

1.0

Cost side

Body-load fingerprint

Where each one actually lands its strain, on the calculator's thirteen channels. Tap a row for what it means and which labs track it.

DutasterideTUDCA

Hormonal

Systemic

Bars show strain at each one's typical protocol, not your dose. ≈ marks values inferred from side-effect data or category rather than hand-graded. For your numbers, run the calculator.

Logistics

The vitals

DutasterideTUDCA
Ancillary
Classmatch
Ancillary
Oral
Routematch
Oral
0.5 mg/dayOnce daily, or 2-3x weekly (both effective due to long half-life)
Typical dose
250-1000 mg/dayDaily oral, split doses
~5 weeks
Half-life
Not established
24-52 weeks
Typical run
4-8 weeks
Prescription only
Legal status
OTC supplement
Not prohibited
WADAmatch
Not prohibited

Benefit side

What each is for

Shared goals carry both dots; a goal with one dot belongs to that side alone.

DutasterideTUDCA
Health

Run for

Superior Hair Loss PreventionA 917-man phase III trial (Gubelin Harcha et al., 2014, J Am Acad Dermatol) found dutasteride 0.5mg significantly superior to finasteride 1mg for hair count (P=.003), hair width (P=.004), and investigator photographic assessment (P=.002).
Maximum DHT SuppressionReduces serum DHT by roughly 90-94% (FDA trial median; up to ~98% in some sources) vs finasteride's ~70%. For those who need maximum DHT suppression.
Prostate ProtectionReduces prostatic DHT by 97-99%. FDA-approved for BPH.
Less Frequent Dosing OptionDue to 5-week half-life, twice or thrice weekly dosing is effective and may reduce side effect frequency.

Documented upside

  • Reduces serum DHT by roughly 90-94% (FDA trial median; up to ~98% in some sources), vs ~70% with finasteride
  • Inhibits both Type I and Type II 5-alpha reductase
  • Commonly cited as ~3x more potent than finasteride at Type II inhibition, ~100x at Type I
  • Clinically superior hair count results vs finasteride in a 917-man phase III trial (P=.003)
  • Can be dosed 2-3x weekly due to long half-life
+2 more on the full page

Run for

Liver ProtectionEssential support during hepatotoxic oral steroid cycles.
Liver RepairHelps repair liver damage from previous cycles.
Bile FlowImproves bile production and flow.

Documented upside

  • Significant liver protection
  • Improves bile flow
  • Reduces liver enzyme elevation
  • Can help repair existing damage
  • Generally well-tolerated

The downsides

Side effects, aligned

Each entry's documented side effects, sorted onto the same body systems so the gaps and the overlaps are visible. Tap any effect for the detail.

DutasterideTUDCA
Estrogenic

None documented

Mood, sleep & CNS

None documented

Suppression & fertility

None documented

Other documented effects

The exit

Hormonal fallout & recovery

What each does to your own hormone axis while on, and what leaving it costs.

DutasterideTUDCA
none
HPTA suppression
No data
none
Aromatization
No data
none
Liver toxicity
No data
none
Hair-loss risk
No data
No
DHT-derived
No data
No
19-nor / progestogenic
No data
Not required
PCT
Not required
Support role
What sticks
Support role

Dutasteride

Does not affect HPT axis directly. No PCT required. Very long half-life means effects persist months after stopping.

TUDCA

Not hormonal. This is a support supplement.

Read-out

How they separate

  1. 01

    Enhancement

    They land at almost the same point on the natty scale (1/10 vs 1/10): a similar distance beyond natural.

  2. 02

    Side-effect bill

    Dutasteride's documented side-effect severity is heavier (2.5/5 vs 1/5). The body-load fingerprint above shows where that weight actually lands.

  3. 03

    Body load

    The widest gap at typical protocols is shutdown depth (Dutasteride 3.2/10 vs 0/10), then mood & sleep (Dutasteride 3.2/10 vs 0/10).

  4. 04

    Coming off

    Neither requires PCT: both leave the natural testosterone axis running.

  5. 05

    Logistics

    typical runs are 24-52 weeks vs 4-8 weeks.

Generated from each entry's data file. Descriptive, not a recommendation; nothing here is medical advice.

Full breakdownDutasteride→Full breakdownTUDCA→

More matchups

Dutasteride vs FinasterideDutasteride vs NAD+Dutasteride vs GlutathioneTUDCA vs NAD+TUDCA vs Glutathione