Category: Drugs

Dr Rassman,

I am in my late twenties and my hair has shown signs of thinning out on top. I have been using minoxidil (5%) for 6 months now and, although there has been some benefit, i have noticed my scalp aches and feels bruised in several areas. My hair feels it has been pulled at when i run my fingers through it. It doesn’t feel right so i am considering stopping treatment. I have previously had this sensation with minoxidil after a similar amount of time and stopped treatment but restarted after a few months. Do you have any idea what may be causing these sensations?

You may have sensitivity associated with topical minoxidil and you may not be a good candidate for its use.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

I have a strange question for you… I have been on Propecia for nearly a year now and everytime I take the drug before (or near) bedtime, I have very vivid and lucid dreams. I try to take the medication in the morning (as was recommended earlier on this website), but sometimes I forget to take it before I leave for work and am forced to take propecia the following night. Is there any explanation for Propecia affecting my sleep cycle or dreams?? At first I thought the drug affecting me this way was a coincidence, but it’s happened way too many times now for me to think that. Thanks for your help!

Sorry, I have never heard of Propecia impacting dreams or sleep cycle.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

Hi there,

Great website, with lots of great information!

However in one of your responses to a question entitled “Problems from Fincar (Generic Finasteride)” you mention not being aware of testicle pain being associated with US Propecia.

I am not sure how it is in the US, but in the U.K., this (testicle pain) is listed as a possible side effect on the Merck product insert for propecia. It is also on their website and in the “prescribing information” document for propecia on Merck’s website.

I have looked this up and yes, testicular pain is a rare reported side effect. If you set up the relationship, try a half dose or just get off of the medication. From Merck.com’s site (info provided by Lexi-Comp), it states under “Adverse Reactions” for finasteride:

“<1%, postmarketing and/or case reports: Hypersensitivity (pruritus, rash, urticaria, swelling of face/lips); breast tenderness, breast enlargement, breast cancer (males), prostate cancer (high grade), testicular pain”

In other words, these symptoms were reported in less than 1% of men that used the medication. It does not indicated how much finasteride was being taken when these occured though (1mg Propecia or 5mg Proscar).

For more about finasteride, see Merck.com.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

Does finasteride make me gain weight? been taking it from 2003 until 2005, stopped until apr 2007, now im on again with 1mg a day, i am a male.

i searched the previous answers on the topic, only found one that states that NO, theres no link. just touching base again to check for any new info. my personal experience: with some brands i gain weight, with others no. perhaps its only my delusional mind. thanks, gooooood blog congratlations

Nope. Aging (with slowing of the metabolism, diet, and a sedentary lifestyle) is the primary cause of weight gain. Don’t look to blame the drug finasteride for it.

I have been on Propecia for 6 months and had a hair transplant 5 months ago. I have experienced some breast enlargement.Is there any other solution that would work for me other than Propecia? Will my breast enlargement increase if I continue to take Propecia? Will my breast enlargement decrease if I stop taking Propecia? Is there a timeline that one can expect to stop the increase of the breast if one stays on Propecia? In other words are my breasts as large as they will get? At this point after spending all this money and time I don’t want to lose my new hair.Please help me make an informed decision about this. Will I ultimately have to decide between keeping my hair and having enlarged breasts,or having no hair and normal breasts?

Breast enlargement can be a rare side effect (about 1 in 300) of Propecia (finasteride 1mg). It goes away after you stop taking Propecia, and it may also go away on its own even if you continue taking Propecia. You may also consider taking half the dose (half pill) of Propecia to see if the side effect goes away. Your breast enlargement may also be totally unrelated to Propecia use and you may have other undiagnosed medical condition. In any case, you need to speak with your prescribing doctor to discuss these issues.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):