Category: Drugs

Dear Dr. Rassman,

I started using Proscar (5 Mg. divided into 2, 1 part daily) about 3 years ago. 6 months ago I added the use of Minoxidil just once daily (every morning), opposed to the recommended 2x daily, since it is only to aid the Proscar. Am I doing the right thing?

Best

The recommended dose of finasteride is 1mg for treating hair loss, sold under the brand name Propecia. Taking 5mg or 3mg or 2mg will not grow more hair, but will produce more negative side effects. Changing doses from 5mg or 2.5mg to 1mg will not likely affect hair growth. Merck’s research has shown that 1mg is as good as a higher dose, so if you are taking a higher dose and then bring it down to the normal 1mg does, there should be no negative effect.

Hi doctor.
I have been using Minoxil (only minoxil, no Finestride ect.) for about 11 month now because I loss a lot of hair in the bath ect. The first 7 month went really well, and i stopped loosing hair, and my hair was also getting thicker. But after the 7 month, i started loosing hair again, and have done that for 4 hole month, while still using minoxil twice a day. My hair is now really thin. Why? And what should I do to stop this thing before i’ve lost all my hair? Please help me. thx

You need to see an expert to understand what is going on with your hair. I can not tell very much from your question. Minoxidil is not a hair thickener, so I am not sure what you have been observing. If the hair got fuller, then you should expect that the effects would be maintained on the medication.

Hi Dr.

I have been on Propecia for six months with good results and have been using minoxidil as well for the crown and that has seemed to improve thing even further.

My question is that I find I can only practically use the minoxidil once in the evening. To put it on in the morning is just too difficult. Is there a negative to only using Minoxidil
once a day instead of twice or is it just a matter of it not being as effective?

Thanks

The best response for minoxidil has been shown to be twice a day use. You can try the Rogaine Foam and see if that works easier for you in the morning. Some people use it as a styling agent.

has there ever been a case in which somebody with DUPA (Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia) has responded to dutasteride after trying propecia (finasteride)?

I have very little experience with Avodart (dutasteride), but I have seen some patients with Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) respond somewhat to finasteride. In theory, dutasteride should be better than finasteride, but clearly the side effects are substantial with dutasteride (decreased sperm count, impotence, decreased libido). Unfortunately, we do not know a great deal about DUPA and what causes it.

Sirs,

Thank you for such an informative blog. I have read many things in French language forums about Propecia that, although the drug fascinates me, cause me to question its ability to help me. I’m 29 and moving towards a NW 3.0 (I might already be there). I have read that Propecia causes frontal hairloss. This is frequesntly mentioned in French-language forums and frightens me away from the drug. The only hairloss poblem I have (and it is rather minor at the moment) is frontal.

Can you confirm that propecia does not cause frontal hairloss?

very cordially yours

Those with Norwood Class 3 balding patterns may progress with further balding. Propecia will either prevent this from happening or slow down the process. I have little doubt about answering your question — Propecia does not cause hair loss in the front or anywhere else on the scalp in a person with male patterned balding. It is FDA approved to treat hair loss, not cause it. See Are Minoxidil and Propecia Worth Using? (with Photos) for a great example of regrowth from Propecia (along with minoxidil).

hey doc!

I love your blogs, they are very helpfull!

This might be a stupid question.. but i’ve heard smoking something is the best way to get it directly into ur blood so what would happen if I smoked finasteride, could this possibly increase results?

Inhaling an aerosol medication is often the best way to get it into your system from a speed point of view, but what would be the rush with smoking finasteride?

As I believe I’ve already commented, the dose response data is well documented and the oral route for the 1mg recommended hair loss treatment dose taken orally will not be improved… even if you could smoke it.

I am experiencing hair loss at my temples and front hairline. I am 24 and it is at it’s very beginning stages. I Otherwise have a full head of hair and have not had problems in any other areas of my scalp. After looking into all the products out their and doing some research I have found that $transplants$, Propecia and Minoxidil are the only real effective options. The transplants are not monetarily possible right now, the Propecia is said to have no results when being used for temple areas and Minoxidil leaves me with unanswered questions. It would be of much help if you could answer all of the below questions for me.

1. Would Propecia work in my case since I am at an early stage of loss?
2. Is a 5% solution of Minoxidil better for my situation or would a 2% solution be better?
3. Will the resulting hair I grow with Propecia or Minoxidil stay permanently as long as I keep using either product.
4. Will I build up a tolerance to the product after a year or so eventually rendering it ineffective.
5. I have read of a person who experienced increased wrinkles in his forehead as well as pronounced smile lines in his face as a result of Minoxidil, can this really happen and is it common?

If you can shed some light on these areas for me it would definitely be a huge help. This is the first serious step I am taking in dealing with this hair loss problem and I want it to be the right one instead of something I end up regretting or damaging myself over. Thanks

1. You need an evaluation by a physician if Propecia is an option. You need a miniaturization study to see just what is going on and to establish a baseline for whatever treatment you elect.
2. I generally recommend 5% minoxidil over the 2%.
3. There is no guarantee that if you regrew hair with Propecia and/or minoxidil in the temples, that it would be permanent. However, they should slow down or prevent further loss. See Are Minoxidil and Propecia Worth Using? (with Photos).
4. You will not build up tolerance, but your genetic fate will eventually catch up.
5. I’ve never heard of increased wrinkles with minoxidil.