Drugs – Page 100 – Balding Blog

July 16, 2010

A Limited Physician Survey About Finasteride – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Survey I belong to an email group of hair transplant physicians who communicate regularly to share information. Most recently, the group was polled to determine the side effects that these doctors see with finasteride.

Most doctors reported sexual side effects (range from 2-5%), breast enlargement (very rarely, seems like substantially less than 1%), reduction in ejaculate volume (substantially less than the 20% I have seen when I ask about it), bouts of testicular pain (rare), and mood swings (rare). All side effects have been reversed by stopping the medication in 100% of the experience of these doctors.

This was an informal survey, but the general numbers seem to be similar to the instance of side effects reported by Merck. If someone in our group hopefully formalizes this possibly in a publication, I will post the results.

Many of our questions posted on BaldingBlog relate to Propecia/finasteride issues, which we point out may reflect the panic of some posters on the internet. Those in panic mode or those who are very fearful do not reflect the majority of men taking this drug.

July 16, 2010

Preventive Propecia? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have read many articles and questions on Propecia, but one think I never see is if propecia can be used as preventitive measure. For example Im 22 years old and still have a pretty thick heas of hair with a small receiding hairline, but my father is bald and so was my mother’s father so it is more then likely I will also go bald, so I was mainly wondering, is it ever to early with the hair loss stage to start using propecia even if I’m not sure if I will actually go bald.

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You should not use Propecia (finasteride 1mg) for preventive measures. It’s a prescription medication, and you’d use it after you are examined by a doctor who can diagnose you with androgenic alopecia, prescribe it to you, and discuss all its risks and benefits. You have to know what you are treating first.

July 15, 2010

I Can’t Take Medication During Military Basic Training, But I’m on Finasteride! – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Quick Question:

I am joining the military, slighted to leave for boot camp in a few months. I JUST started taking finasteride about a week ago (experiencing lots of shedding, which I am fine with), but I am not allowed to ingest any medication for the duration of basic training, which lasts a minimum of 11 weeks.

Should I continue the treatment, knowing I have to stop? Will the shedding I have encountered even grow back without treatment? Will stopping, then starting again, effect future treatment (the drug’s potency)? Thank you in advance!

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Army training I do not believe 11 weeks in and of itself should have a detrimental effect on your hair loss issue.

I have had patients in the military that didn’t have issues with taking Propecia during training, particularly since it is a medication prescribed by a doctor. Even in boot camp I believe it would be against the law for the government to flat-out keep you from taking a physician-prescribed medication. Now if you are taking Propecia obtained from the Internet without a valid doctor’s prescription that would be another issue entirely.

About.com has more on taking prescription medication in basic training — “Over-the-counter medication is not allowed in basic training. If you bring any with you, it will be taken away. All prescription medication will be re-evaluated by a military doctor upon arrival. If the doctor determines that the prescription is necessary, the civilian medication will be taken away, and the recruit will be re-issued the medication by the military pharmacy.”

So I guess it depends on what the military doctor believes is a necessary prescription. Since it is a cosmetic issue, there might be some resistance… but perhaps you should talk to your recruiter about meeting with a military doctor ahead of time to find out for sure.

July 14, 2010

Hair Loss InformationKeeping My Hair Short After FUE? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have been on propecia – Generic for about 7 months. I am bald on my crown. I am 43. I have not seen any hair growth. Should I stop. I am interested in FUe and not FUT. I keep my hair really short. I am happy with not having a full head of hair, and have successfully used a hair fiber to conceal my bald spot.

Can you provide me any advice on the propecia and also what I need to get FUE. FUT is just not an option for me due to the pain, healing time and the inability to exercise for 30 days.

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I don’t know your medical history, you’re not my patient, and I didn’t prescribe you Propecia. Any one of those would be reason enough to make me uncomfortable giving you personalized medical advice about your prescription drug regimen. You should discuss any changes with your medication with your doctor. That being said, Propecia might not regrow your crown, but could be preventing it from getting worse. Like I said though, I don’t know your history so I’d just be making complete guesses if I continue.

As for your interest in follicular unit extraction (FUE), short hairstyles are possible without revealing any linear scarring (because there is no line), but if you shave your head you will still be able to see some tiny pinhole scars. I don’t know how short of a haircut you’re talking about.

You are correct in that healing time is quicker with FUE compared to the traditional strip technique, but the biggest trade-offs are price (FUE is more labor intensive and thus more expensive) and with the strip, we have the ability to get more hair in a single session. Those may be non-factors though, depending on your hair requirements and finances. For more info about FUE, see here and here.

July 13, 2010

How Long Before Propecia Is Out of My System? – Balding Blog

I have been consistently taking propecia for 3 months and starting noticing sexual side effects one day away from completing my first 3 months of consumption of the drug. Obviously, that was the same day that I stopped taking drugs. It’s been four days since I have stopped taking the drug and I want to know if the “no erection” (erectile dysfunction) sexual side effect of propecia will go away, and how long does it take for propecia to get out of my body?

Thanks in advance for your help

Propecia (finasteride 1mg) lasts about one day in your body. The half life (the time it takes for half of the medication to be cleared by your body) of Propecia is about 4 to 6 hours. Some have said there are still traces of Propecia that are left that can linger for about one week in general, thus the side effects should be dissipated by one week timeframe.

On a separate note, having a side effect appear after 3 months of consistent use is fairly rare and there are also other possibilities of sexual issues. These things can be discussed with your physician. Good luck.

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July 13, 2010

Shedding After Switching from 1mg to 1.25mg Finasteride – Balding Blog

It seems like you have prescribed 1.25 mg of Finasteride (Proscar cut in fourths) to many people who were previously taking 1 mg Propecia. Have any of these people expressed concerns of temporary increased shedding after this switch? Do you believe that its possible that such a small increase in Finasteride could be the cause of increased shedding?

I was taking Propecia for approximately 15 months with great results. However, I am now experiencing shedding that began approximately three weeks after making the switch from daily 1 mg Propecia to 1.25 mg daily generic Proscar (from a reputable pharmacy). It seems unlikely that such a small change could increase effectiveness of the drug, and thus cause shedding.

Of course, I am aware that the effects of progressive hair loss very well could be the culprit of my sudden shedding…

Thanks for your time.

I randomly get these questions and reports from my patients, but I do not see any pattern or change as patients switch from brand name Propecia (1mg finasteride) to the 5mg generic finasteride split into four pieces. It is very difficult to pinpoint and establish a direct relationship, as most patients are very happy with the cost savings and same effectiveness of the medication.

July 9, 2010

Can Lasers or Home Remedies Thicken Hairs? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello Doc,

Thanks a lot for the blog. I’m 22 and I have a full head of hair, but all the hairs are very thin. Moreover, there is distance between my hairs. Also, I have a problem of small acne kind of thing which keeps popping all over my head. However, I have started using betadine scalp and skin cleaner which has resolved the problem but I have tiny round scars all over my scalp. The main problem is my hairs are very thin. When I make them long, it covers my whole head but it gives a see-through look. When I get a buzz cut, no body knows that im balding.

IN YOUR OPINION,

1.Is there a way that each hair of my head can be thickened? Is it possible for thick-hair-promising hair oils and home remedies (egg yolk, etc.) to penetrate the scalp and nourish the hair from the roots? what about lasers, i know they cannot grow new hair, but can they make thin hair thicker (many doctors on tv say they can)?

2. Any update from lexington? They said something like they were going to publish their results in the scientific journal?

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LLLT You can put styling products (pomade) to make your hair “feel” thicker. Medically, you can take Propecia (finasteride) to thicken the shaft size, but it is not a permanent solution. Herbal products and shampoos that claim hair thickening may accomplish this by adding water to the hair shaft. There is no scientific proof that Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT lasers) work in my experience.

There was a study published in Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy last year that an insightful BaldingBlog reader wrote a response to — Reader Checks in with His Thoughts on the Latest LaserComb Study. I can’t seem to find the actual study online anymore though.

July 9, 2010

If I See Finasteride Side Effects, Do I Need to Consult a Doctor? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I took Proscar (1/4 of pill per day) for 2.5 years for my hair loss problem .I haven’t seen a clearly any side effects in the past 2 years but lately I read that Proscar causes erection dysfunction so I stopped using it three days ago and I tried to masturbate but I ejaculate quickly and before that my penis get rigid enough(I ejaculate before get hard) but just last week my sexual life was normal but now I have difficulty to achieve a correct erection . I still have nocturne erection while sleeping and in the morning so do you think this problem is caused by Proscar or just due to stressful situation after knowing that Proscar could causing irreversible sexual disabilities .

are the sides effects of Proscar irreversible? do I have to consult a Doctor? how much time I need to take a ride of the side effects(testicles pain,libido,ED.. ? can I take other medicines to heal theses sides effect are they effective ?

This seems more like a psychological problem rather than an effect of the finasteride. You took the medication for quite a while without issues, then after reading about possible side effects you suddenly developed them. Ever hear of the power of suggestion? That’s what is sounds like to me.

At any rate, this is a prescription drug… so definitely see your prescribing doctor if you feel you’re having issues with libido or any pain and let him know of your recent issues.

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July 8, 2010

Impotence After a Few Days on Propecia — Is it The Drug or Anxiety? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi

I’ve just started on finasteride, and I’m wondering if it is possible to see side effects (impotence) after only a couple of days on the drug. I’m not sure if it’s just my anxiety and over-analysis causing the problem, or if it’s actually the drug itself. I’d really really appreciate a private answer.

Thanks!

(24 year old male)

What you’re experiencing may be due to anxiety and what I generally tell my patients is to continue the medication for a month and try to ignore the erection problem if it is there. I do not know anything about you. I would need to get to know you to assess the anxiety element. The power of suggestion could certainly be in play here.

If you got the drug over the internet, this means that there is likely no professional guiding you on your problem. Consider seeing a good doctor if you do not have one… or if you do, then go back to him/her and ask the questions you posed here.

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July 7, 2010

My 17 Year Old Son Has Been Taking Finasteride – Balding Blog

My son is 17 and he has been receding and thinning significantly on top for the past 12 months. We took him to our derm and he rxed propecia which he has been on for 7 months today. Not only has he not seen any re-growth but has lost even more hair. We put him on generic finasteride because its cheaper. Should we move him to brand propecia?

Do you have someone in Utah that you would recommend we take him to? And last…how do we know if his hair loss is from MPB or accutane? He was on a low does of accutane for 12 months and that is when his hair loss became noticeable. His derm said MPB but I am skeptical.

Pills In the U.S. generic finasteride is only legally sold in a 5mg dose due to patent laws, so the pill must be cut into pieces to get close to the proper dosing found in the 1mg Propecia. Aside from the difference in size (1mg to 5mg), generic finasteride has the exact same active medication as Propecia. Changing to brand name Propecia will likely not solve your son’s hair loss issue. It just may be that your son has genetic male pattern baldness (MPB) and it is running its course. Remember that there is no cure for MPB, and medication only goes so far. Having a HairDX Test for Finasteride Response may have value in that this genetic test will give insights into his overall sensitivity to the drug.

Sometimes Accutane (isotretinoin) can precipitate hair loss, but Accutane alone is not likely the cause. If there is a “pattern” to his balding, then it is likely to be MPB. The various patterns can be found here.

I don’t have any Utah-based physician recommendations, but you can try the physician search at ISHRS.org to find a doctor in your area. These are going to be transplant docs, but they’ll know hair loss. At 17 years old, no doctor should be even suggesting surgery anyway.

Your son should have his hair mapped for miniaturization, as the microscopic view will point one way or the other to the cause of the hair loss. Mapping the hair will give you the opportunity to follow any progress (or lack thereof) as it extends the science to measurement of the miniaturization process.