Category: Drugs

I have been using Propecia for about 8 years. Though no measureable regrowth, I feel it slowed or haulted the hair fallout and have been able to keep what I have. I do not believe I have sufferred from any of the “male concerning” side effects. My question is, is there a thing such as a maintenance phase? Meaning, instead of taking the 1mg tablet daily, can I take one every other day and still be alright?

Thanks

The need to take the same dose over and over again for life should continue. If you drop the dose, you run the risk of losing hair. If you do go for every other day, that’s your call to make… but I wouldn’t recommend it. Unlike your case, some patients have reported that after 5 years or so some hair loss picks up again, and in those patients I have been recommending an increase in the dose to 2.5mg each day, provided that there are no side effects. Discuss any prescription medication changes with your prescribing doctor.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

I’ve seen where you said generic propecia will not be available till 2011. I’ve recently been laid off, as I know many are struggling now during the roller-coaster economy.

You did say that the 5mg Fin tablets are available in generic though.. Problem is, I can’t convince my Derm to give me the prescription for that. I hinted and he lectured me about dosage, etc..

So, my question: Any tips on how to convince a Doc that we are perfectly capable of splitting a tablet into 1/5’s? Or any other user suggestions on how to get the cheaper medicine.. I don’t really want to lose my hair and job at the same time!

Just to make sure all readers are on the same page, Proscar (5mg finasteride) is available in generic, but Propecia (1mg finasteride) is not at this point. Actually, many Indian drug manufacturers do have a generic 1mg finasteride, but it is not legally sold in the United States due to patent laws. The cost savings are quite significant, particularly in these harsh economic times.

I’d see another dermatologist. You can go back to your original dermatologist and harp on him about it, but it might not make a difference if his mind if set. So if you see another dermatologist, make sure he/she understands that you are fully aware of how to split a pill. You can even bring your own pill cutter with you — you can get one at your local pharmacy for a few bucks (sometimes they’re free promotional items, too).

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

I am anaphylactic to dairy, and I noticed that in the ingredients of Propecia and Proscar it contains Lactose. Is it safe for me to take this medication, or should it be avoided at all costs? I have had other medications in the past that contained Lactose. All of my research indicates that medication in the form of the pill is usually unlikely to lead to an allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock.

But if I am unable to to take this medication would you have any other recomendations as to what I could possibly due in order to prevent my receding hairline, or slow down the process.

Thanks.

I have never heard of anaphylaxis in association with Propecia, but if you are concerned about it, I found the following site which might educate you in the symptoms of this life emergency — common causes of anaphylaxis

I am not your doctor so I will not be able to make recommendations as I have not examined you, and it would be a blind process for me to get directly involved in your health.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

Hey Doc,

I came across a interesting article recently related to Merck, I thought I would pass it your way. It’s about Merck creating a doctor “hit list” for doctors who were against prescribing there medications.

Vioxx maker Merck and Co drew up doctor hit list

I wanted to get your thoughts. Thanks

Clearly, the facts that will be presented at trial will reflect the truth of any claims. I’d like to see the outcome before I render an opinion.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

First I want to thank you for this wonderful site which is really interesting and a genuine source of information about androgenetic alopecia. I am from latinoamerica and its really difficult here to find any good information about this.

I have read that you have a lot of patients who have been taking Finasteride for over a decade and succeeded in maintaining most of their hair. My question is: do these people still (today) maintain their hair, almost 12 years later?

There are many men who have been taking Propecia (finasteride) and have maintained their hair for the 12 years it has been on the market. And some for even longer than that. Propecia itself has been available since 1997, but the drug finasteride was being prescribed for off-label use (it was a prostate treatment initially) for years prior to that to treat hair loss… much in the same way Avodart (dutasteride) has been.

It’s really unique for each patient, though. Will you retain all of your results for the next dozen years if you take the medication? I have no idea.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

are rogaine and propecia chemical based or herbal? will long term exposure to these oils have drastic effect on one’s kidneys? kindly let me know if these oils will stop hairfall or enhance growth,or the efeect will be only as long as one continues its use? i am just 24 years old, and a male. i am afraid i am shedding hair.i just want to be forearmed. that is all. thank you in advance for your advice.

Nope. Neither minoxidil nor Propecia are herbal medications, although finasteride (Propecia) was discovered in the Amazon rainforest amongst natives who showed problems with penis development and hermaphroditism. Yes, strange but true.

I don’t know of any link between Rogaine (minoxidil), Propecia (finasteride), and kidney problems. The benefits of either medication will disappear if you discontinue use. The reports of shedding are highly overrated by a small number of individuals on the internet and the shedding is not reported to last more than a couple of months. It should not produce any significant balding (just increased cycling of the hair).

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

Greetings
I’m a bit confused as I’m planning to start using Proscar ( cut into 4 parts) to treat my male pattern hairloss. I’ve read that some people cuz they can’t cut the pill in the same size let’s say (1.25, 1.50…etc) so there’s no stability in the size of the pills, they said they faced shedding… is that right? and what to do in that case

There is no real scientific way to answer this question. My opinion is that the small daily variations should not make a difference if you cut a 5mg finasteride pill (Proscar) into 4 parts compared to the 1mg pre-made finasteride pill (Propecia).

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

Just a quick question. I read on a previous post that a rare known side effect of Propecia is the reduction of body hair. Will this hair grow back after Propecia has been stopped?

If Propecia caused a loss of body hair, when you stop the medication the body hair should return.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

i’m a norwood 2ish 28yr old wondering is propecia would work for me. i’m perfectly ok with where my hairline is at currently, but don’t want my widows peak going any deeper. my dermatologist gave a script for propecia without much of an examination. i’ve read several things about shedding, and propecia not working on the hairline that have scared me away from actually getting my script filled. i guess my two questions are, can propecia keep my hairline where it is at if i’m a good responder? and if i experience a shed, is it something that can be cosmetically significant?

Propecia is not known to work on the hairline or reverse hair loss on the hairline (it happens in extremely rare cases). Without an examination (especially a miniaturization study) I really cannot tell you that if you are even a candidate for Propecia, as we need a diagnosis. You may not be balding! Do not let your fear of balding dictate your treatment.

With regard to Propecia shedding, I have only rarely seen or heard about this, mostly on comments here on the BaldingBlog and on other hair forums. I am virtually certain that this phenomenon is blown out of proportion and I would doubt that when it appears, it would be cosmetically significant.