Month: January 2023

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Switching from ScalpMed to Generic Minoxidil

I was unable to access your link that campares Rogaine to ScalpMed. The link is broken. Therefore, my question to you is this: Is the only ingredient in Scalp Med, (when mixed with “Vitadel” which is simply minoxidil) that actually effects hair growth Minoxidil? I suspect that all these similar products are merely inactive ad-ons since the only common ingredient ALL the products have is that they must be mixed with minox.

Is that so? In other words, if the product works for me-and it does so remarkably, would I see the same results by simply using the $20 a bottle minox and not spend the extra $100+ on the Scalp Med or Follicare, etc.?

I’d be very grateful if you could clear this up for me as I love the results but simply cannot afford their prices anymore. And stopping using will cause the new hair to fall out. Also, do
you think that a DHT blocker is important and/or effective in combo with minox? I look forward to your kind reply. Thanks much.

ScalpMed, as we stated before, does not have any scientifically proven ingredients besides minoxidil and I do not see any reason why minoxidil should not be as effective, possibly even better.

There has been some research done on topical DHT blockers (mostly by Japanese researchers), which shows effectiveness of these products. I guess I would like to see more research on larger groups of patients before recommending them to my patients on a regular basis.

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Switching from Rogaine to Propecia

Hello sir,
I am currently 20 and have over the past year and a half witnessed my hair line gradually recede. I am finding it hard to keep positive and confident, although it is not at an extreme. I am in constant fear of what the future could hold. There is no sign of baldness on my mother’s side yet my father and my grandfather are both completely bald. My brother who is only four years older than me started wearing a wig at the age of 21. I am not completely sure of what kind of level baldness he is at but I’m sure it’s not pretty. I fear that I am to walk the inevitable genetic path placed in front of me, which is getting me rather down.

I am currently using rogaine extra strength for men, which I’ve been using for around 5 months now and am still seeing a gradual thinning of the hair line and am not sure if it is working or not, or even going to work at all. I was thinking of perhaps using propecia, yet if I do I cannot afford to maintain using both treatments. I’d be very interested in what you’d have to say about my situation and whether making the jump from rogaine to propecia could have consequences.

Thank you very much.

Propecia has been shown to have better results than Rogaine in treatment of hair loss from male pattern baldness in young men. You need to get your hair and scalp mapped out for miniaturization to have a proper diagnosis, so that your doctor can develop a Master Plan for your overall situation. Both Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia are good treatments, but the actions are different. As you have been on Rogaine for 5 months, I would hold off until you get the examination complete. Then add Propecia (assuming the diagnosis is confirmed and metrics are in hand), and then follow-up with another examination 8 months after to see where your hair loss is at.

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Switching from Cut Proscar to Propecia

Hi,

I’ve been going for hair transplant surgery last 2 months and after the surgery the doctor recommend me to take propecia to maintain my existing hair as i was indicated of suffering from Male pattern hairloss. Just 3 days ago i start to apply Proscar and split it into quarter 1.25 mg as financial problem and use it daily without side effect so far. Surprisingly my hair stop to fall off immediately as only used for 3 days..

My question is now i am taking 1.25 mg of proscar daily, and i plan to switch to Propecia 1 mg after 2 years from now on. Is there any case of intensive shedding happened if switching from Proscar 1.25 mg to Propecia 1 mg? As most of the cases is only mentioned switching from Propecia to Proscar for cost saving.

Thanks for your sincere advice.

Cheers.

Proscar and Propecia are both the drug finasteride just at different doses. Switching between them is no problem at all. The difference in the 1.25mg dose and the 1mg dose is relatively insignificant.


2009-07-01 15:27:15Switching from Cut Proscar to Propecia

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Switching Finasteride from Generic to Proscar

First of all I am very thankful for the information you provide on this subreddit, it is invaluable to me and a lot of other people. About two months ago I got prescribed a generic propecia 1 mg from my dermatologist here in Sweden. As a student at university I can cover the cost but Im interested in changing to Proscar 5 mg and then splitting them. After a lot of reading I´ve understood that there is no difference between the two except that Proscar is a lot cheaper.

My concern is that I read about people claiming that swapping between difference finasterides ruined their hair. Personally I have difficulties seeing it making a difference, but I would of course never forgive myself if my chase after saving a couple of dollars ended up making my hair even worse. So my question to you is, do you have any personal experience from your patients changing medicine? If yes, did it harm their hair in any way or did it just continue as usual?

Thank you for taking your time,

No problem. Switch it without worry!


2019-11-22 15:33:23Switching Finasteride from Generic to Proscar

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Switching brand of finasteride

I’ve been prescribed finasteride by my dermatologist and I’ve been taking it since the 1st of Jan, about more than 3 weeks ago. I’ve also been using Ketoconazole 2% since then for my dandruff & itchiness. Helps alot! So far I’ve been shedding and hair seems thinner, but im being optimistic & hoping for regrowth at the 6-8 month mark. My crown feels like its thickening up, but my temples & the frontal area seem thinner now, could even see my scalp under light…. Anyways, I was just curious if I could use another type of brand of finasteride once the one I’m currently taking is finished in March.

In theory, all drugs cleared by the FDA should be the same as the label states; however, I have heard complaints from some men who switched brands find that the effectiveness has changed. I don’t understand this other that some of these brands could be counterfeits, something more common than most of us realize.


2021-01-23 08:56:41Switching brand of finasteride

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Switched from topical to oral minoxidil

I have been on topical minoxidil for about 6 months, switched to Oral about a month ago and I am shedding right now. I am honestly surprised as I thought that the shed that occurred when I started topical would mean that I won’t shed now.

The shedding is a sign that the oral is working much better than the topical. About 40% of men respond to topical minoxidil but better than 90% respond to the oral so what you are seeing is a vigorous response to the oral minoxidil.

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Switched from Propecia to 1/2 Proscar Each Day and Now My Hair Is Falling Out Rapidly

Hello again Doctor,

About 3 months ago, I switched from taking Propecia to Proscar. I found the pills to be difficult to slice into 4 pieces, so I just took 1/2 of one instead (the pharmacist only charges me a $10 co-pay, so I can live with spending an extra $5 a month). I asked Dr. Bernstein if this was OK, and he said yes. The problem is my hair has been falling out more rapidly and I’ve become extremely frustrated. My question is this – is this coincidental or should I go back to taking Propecia? or is it possible that I am taking too much?. Thank you for this website and for your time.

I doubt that the higher dose (2.5mg finasteride) that you’re taking will work less effectively than the lower dose of Propecia (1mg finasteride) and cause you to rapidly lose hair. It might just be a coincidence, but you should discuss this with your prescribing doctor.

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Switched from Old Rogaine to Rogaine Foam — Now I’m Losing Hair!

Rogaine FoamI received 2 recent emails relating to the same thing, so I’ve combined them into one post…

Email 1:

Hi here is my question. I have been using rogaine from costco for the past 2 years, during that time regrew alot of hair and was very happy with the result. However 3 months ago i started using the Rogaine Foam and my hair started falling, now i can clearly see my scalp it’s horrible and very stressful, if the content of the foam is thesame minox 5%, why am i loosing more and more hair. Thanks.

Email 2:

I tried liquid minoxidil 5% and Rogaine Foam. I think I had better results with the liquid. Is it possible? Everyone is raving about the Foam!?

Honestly, I don’t know. It is the same medication, just in a different formulation. There is no medical reason why you would be noticing more hair loss. It may be just coincidental.

If any other readers want to discuss their experiences between the liquid and foam (positive or negative), please feel free to leave a comment.

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Sweting after hair transplant, is it safe?

I’m 9 weeks into my hair transplant journey. Resumed going to the gym at the 8 week mark. I’ve noticed my donor area start to get itchy. I sweat profusely while working out. My heart rate during a HIIT session can also climb to ~200bpm. Should I be worried that this will negatively impact my hair transplant at this stage? Side-question: sometimes I don’t get the chance to wash my head after a workout until at least some hours later. Is that an issue? Is it possible that the itching on my donor area is completely unrelated to the exercise and has more to do with my minoxidil/finasteride use? I’ve only been on topical min- oral fin for 20-ish days so far.

Feeling really panicky and paranoid so any answers help!

9 weeks after a hair transplant means that you are now normal. Do whatever you did before the transplant. The transplant should be undetectable at this stage. Any medical health issues should bring you to see your primary doctor, not your hair transplant doctor. At this time (actually 3 weeks out), you can wash your hair normally and sweat all you want without worrying about the hair transplant.

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Swelling of face from minoxidil

Do you have advice for someone who gets water retention in the face even from 1.25 mg oral? I had no other side effects but stopped due to the puffy face. Is there a safe/simple way to mitigate that?

Maybe this medication is not for you. Theoretically, swelling can occur in hidden areas of your body, like around the heart. Speak with your doctor.