Category: Drugs

I have decided to half the dosage to see whether this will help. But my problem is that out of the 7-8 months that I have been on propecia, the first 4 were on proper propecia and then I bought a year’s supply of Dr Reddy’s Finax (generic version) during a visit to India in December. I have been very happy with that. So basically I stopped going to the doctor who initially prescribed me the Propecia here in the UK. I was just being over charged and I felt I was being taken advatange of.

So all I need advice on is how to switch from taking 1mg pill a day to half a pill a day. I don’t want to suffer from shock hair loss and loose all the gains plus more if I stop. But I need to stop for a week perhaps or slighlty longer maybe so that my erections and libido issues have a chance to normalise.

I would really appreciate your guidance on this.

Best regards !

I don’t feel comfortable giving you prescription advice, as I’m not your prescribing physician. Generally speaking, to switch from 1mg to 0.5mg a day, just get a pill cutter and take only half a pill each day. Libido issues should get back to normal on their own with the half dose, and if not, I’d see your doctor again to find out if there’s any other issues at play.

Dear Doctor:

This is a follow-up to the post I had sent regarding Cytochrome P-450 enzymes as they relate to drug metabolism, specifically Finasteride and Dutasteride.

As i had mentioned earlier, grapefruit juice is a potent inhibitor of CYP3A4 in the intestines, however, research indicates that it also inhibits hepatic CYP3A4 when 3 250ml (3 8-oz cups) are consumed daily. This is of particular importance to those takeing statin drugs, antihypertensives, antihistamines, and antiepileptics, as GF juice will significantly RAISE serum levels of these drugs. As a result, side effects are magnified.

Now broccoli has been identified as a potent dual inhibitor of both intestinal and hepatic CYP3A4. More precisely, it is the sulforophanes contained within broccoli. As Dutasteride is actively metabolized by CYP3A4, consumption of GF juice and broccoli will elevate serum levels of the drug considerably, as well as Finasteride, as both are substrates of CYP3A4.

I’m sure there are many who are looking for an inexpensive way to elevate serum levels of Dutasteride to get the “better clinical efficacy”. Caution should be taken however. Yes, it would be great to get .5mg of Avodart to be as effective as the 2.5mg through enzyme inhibition. However, most drugs are metabolized by CYP3A4. Those who are considering this approach must take into serious consideration the effect this approach will have on any and all other medications currently being used.

As i stated above, statins, antihypertensives, allergy medications, antiepileptics, and most other drugs are metabolized by the enzyme that GF juice and broccoli inhibit. Elevation of serum concentration of drugs with a low margin of safety may increase negative side effects, or worse, cause death. I would love to get the effect of 2.5mg of Avodart out of only .5mg, however, I would not want to trade my life for it.

Thanks!

Good review of an interesting subject. Thank you for sending this.

I developed nerve pain and my doctor thought it might be related to Propecia. So with the advice of my doctor, I stopped the Propecia. Naturally, my thinning has progressed though after I stopped it, so now I am considering starting it again if my doctor approves. I am going to speak with him first of course, but, after stopping taking the medication for the past 5 months after taking the medication for 1 year before that, what I want to know is will it still be effective if i restart it? Your response would be extremely appreciated. Thank you for your time.

I am unaware of peripheral neuropathy being a known side effect of Propecia. Your response on restarting it will not be as good as when you originally started it, but it should still have value. Only time will tell.

Thanks for all you great help and advice Dr. Rassman & Dr. Pak…Its obvious how much your site is appreciated by all the balding males and females…

Anyways, my question revolves around the application of rogaine to the scalp. I have a decent amount of hair on my head and find it hard to get rogaine directly to the scalp – especially the foam…..I part my hair but still find that it seems my scalp becomes more saturated with the medication rather then my scalp…Does rogaine get absorbed to the scalp systemic circulation and cause hair growth across the scalp or rather just in the area applied? Do you have any advice for the application of minoxidil or rogaine foam? I have read the information that comes with the actual foam but its not that informative…just tells you to part your hair and apply to the crown (from what I understand though is that Rogaine has shown growth all over the scalp except the temporal region). I apply to the frontal region and crown myself…

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again

I suppose having trouble applying Rogaine because you have too much hair is a good thing. You can try parting your hair and applying around the part. Or applying it when your hair is damp and shows more scalp area. I would apply the foam anywhere you want hair to grow. It may not work as well on the temporal or frontal region, but it does not hurt to try.

Dear Sir/Madam
I have been using minoxidil for more than year and i am happy with it, since the results are great so far!I have been pretty concerned lately though, given that i seem to be developing some kind of gynecomastia. Perhaps it is due to high levels of prolactine (just a guess)… Could minoxidil increase the level of prolactine and thus lead to gynecomastia?
Thanks a lot in advance

There are many possible causes of gynecomastia and you should certainly see a doctor to rule them out. I have answered the question of minoxidil and gynecomastia before, and there is no connection between the two that I’m aware of.