Drugs – Page 300 – Balding Blog

November 1, 2006

Corticosteroid and Propecia – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Good Day Dr. Rassman,

I am a male in my early twenties and suffering from genetic hair loss. I was wondering if applying a topical Corticosteroid like Clindamycin 2% in Gen-Clobetasol for treating my scalp irritation would have any negative impact if I start taking Propecia? Also, is there any data available showing the benefits of using a shampoo like Nizoral or Neutrogena T-Gel while on Propecia?

Thank you for providing this service, I appreciate your time and expertise in responding to my questions.

You should not be experimenting with drugs. Clindamycin is an antibiotic and using strong steroids can have a balding side effect. To my knowlege there have been no clinical studies showing synergistic benefits of using special shampoos and Propecia.

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November 1, 2006

Hot Flashes from Propecia? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

First of all i would like to thank you for setting up such a great site for MPB sufferers. My question to you is, I’ve been on propecia (1mg finasteride) for almost a year now and about a few months ago i’ve started developing hot flashes as a side effect and it has reached a point where it started bothering me alot. My GP said the only way to solve the problem is for me to go off the propecia for awhile but that also mean i’ll turn bald sooner. What should i do Dr. Rassman? The majority of my thinning happens in the frontal region with a receding hairline(a norwood III vertex). I am 26 y.o.

I hope that I am correct to assume that you are a male. Hot flashes are mostly seen in menopausal women and in men following castration or using anti-androgen medications. Hot flash is a result of an imbalance of sex hormones. In studies with Propecia, no clinically meaningful changes were detected in the levels of FSH, LH, and lactogene that are associated with hot flashes. Hot flash is not a reported side effect of Propecia.

You have been on Propecia for almost a year and just started to experience hot flashes a few months ago. You should be aware of some other medical problems that mimic hot flashes, including thyroid disease. After excluding the other medical problems and if you continue to have hot flashes, you may stop taking Propecia for a month, as most of it will be out of your body in a few days. If there is any association between the symptoms and the drug, the symptoms should go away quickly. If there is no impact of the drug, there is no point to stop using it if it helps maintain your hair. If you continue to have hot flashes, it should be considered a rare side effect, and you may discontinue Propecia and start using topical minoxidil instead. Discuss this with your prescribing doctor before making any changes to your medication, however.

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November 1, 2006

How Long Could I Keep My Results from Minoxidil? – Balding Blog

Hello, I cant seem to find a good answer for my question, I seem to get different answers, every where.

My question:
Im 24 year old, and suffer from mpb, i get bad sideeffects from propecia, my libido disappears.

So im only on minoxidil, 5%, and I have some really good results. But how long can I keep these results without a DHT blocker?
What would you recommend, as an topical dht blocker?

Thank you

There are no FDA approved topical DHT blockers. If Propecia kills your libido, try a half pill a day and then if that does not work, try a quarter of a pill per day. There will be some benefits for DHT block at that lower dose. Just like Propecia, you will lose the effect of minoxidil if you stop using it, but minoxidil, when it works, can last for years and years. The new Rogaine foam is reported to produce better skin absorption and blood levels than the standard minoxidil. That should mean that Rogaine foam may be more effective than the standard minoxidil.

October 31, 2006

I Can’t See Much Difference Between Avodart and Propecia – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

i like to know if avodart is better treatment then propecia? i’m taking avodart for 8 months and i cant say that i see so much different….

Avodart (dutasteride) should be reserved for those who do not respond to Propecia (finasteride). It is an off-label use, which means that the FDA does not authorize Avodart’s use for hair loss. In most people, the difference should be non-existent, but for the few who are unable to get Propecia to work, Avodart may have an advantage as it is a more powerful DHT blocker.

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October 31, 2006

Propecia and Diabetes – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I appreciate all the information you provide. I am a 30 year old male. It is my understanding from the blog that you believe Propecia to be the most effective pharmaceutical treatment option for hair loss. What advice would you give to a patient who has islet-cell antibodies present in their system? In other words, how would you characterize the risk that taking Propecia would prompt an auto-immune response by the body, thus causing an attack on the pancreas leading to Type I diabetes?

Finasteride (Propecia/Proscar) is a DHT type 2 receptor blocker which does not have any association with the pancreas, therefore I would expect that it should not lead to Type I diabetes. The drug company (Merck) would have recognized any such association if it would have been detected and considering the number of diabetics in the general population, I would expect that such an association (if it existed) would have been reported. Finasteride was originally developed for benign prostatic hypertrophy (which affects the prostate). If you are experiencing genetic androgenic hair loss (male pattern hair loss) Propecia may be a consideration. Propecia, as you probably know, is a prescription medication, so discuss these concerns with your prescribing doctor before taking it.

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October 30, 2006

Hair Loss InformationI’m Taking Propecia, But I Want to Try Out Rogaine Foam – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

For time and financial reasons, how effective is it to start and stop minoxidil within propecia treatment? In other words, can I retain whatever I gain from Minoxidil as long as I’m still taking propecia.

I’m on propecia right now and would like to try the Rogaine foam, but don’t necessarily want to be committed to taking it for life without it being a waste.

Thanks for your help.

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Stay on the Propecia and add minoxidil foam, but use the minoxidil foam for at least 8 months prior to concluding if it works. If there is benefit beyond what you got from Propecia, then you should stay on both, probably for life. The two drugs work differently and they can have added value to each other.

October 30, 2006

Hair Loss InformationPropecia and the Crooked Penis – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Ok, I just have to ask. I have been searching around for information regarding pros/cons of starting propecia. I came to a web forum in which several people were discussing the fact that propecia made their penis crooked. I have not read this anywhere in the side effects category listed with Merck. Is this a real possibility?

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I highly doubt your penis will grow crooked after taking Propecia (finasteride 1mg). Many men are born with a penis that leans to one side or the other (example, Wikipedia – Chordee). What you read on that web forum just goes to show how the internet can be misleading and you must take all the information available with a grain of salt.

October 27, 2006

Adderall and Alopecia – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Can adderall effect alopecia. Because i have alopecia, and tried Adderall a couple times, nothing consistent and i noticed that my hair growth had halted and i began getting new bald spots. I have had alopecia in the past but it always seems to grow back.

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There is a direct relationship between Adderall and alopecia in some people. The rest of your question makes no sense to me. Sorry.

October 26, 2006

Stacking Propecia, Rogaine, and Saw Palmetto – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I just started using Propecia. I’ve been using Rogaine for about 5 years, and Saw Palmeto for the last 6 months. Is it safe to use Propecia with Rogaine and Saw Palmeto? Please advise. Thanks

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I just returned from the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery conference in Coronado (near San Diego), California this past week. Your question was one of the topics discussed during the meeting.

Saw palmetto is a herb that has been implicated in alleviating urinary flow, which is sometimes associated with enlarged prostate. It has not been scientifically proven to work, but it is a natural herb and consumers take it for whatever benefits it may have. Many people make the link in their minds that saw palmetto could be used in alleviating male pattern hair loss with finasteride 5mg (Proscar) just because it is used for men with enlarged prostate problems. Again, saw palmetto has never been scientifically proven to help with male pattern hair loss and is absolutely not a DHT blocker.

To date, topical minoxidil (Rogaine) and oral finasteride 1mg (Propecia) are the only FDA approved medications for male pattern hair loss. There are some that believe that using the two medications in conjuction may have a synergistic effect, as they have different mechanisms of action. I believe that using minoxidil and Propecia in combination has useful value in some people, but I’d start with one at a time. If you start with both, you will not be sure which one is working best for you, and are committing yourself to a lifetime of multiple medications, when your answer may be just the one.

October 25, 2006

Proper Xandrox Dosage? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

My question is about side effects of using xandrox lotion.and also I donot know if i use 5% or 12.5%.I will be thakful if you answer me.

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This medication appears to be a combination of minoxidil and an acid which is supposed to potentiate the absorption of the minoxidil. I would assume that the side effects would be itching of the scalp (it is an acid, which does burn the skin), dizziness (minoxidil may drop your blood pressure), allergic reactions, etc.

Look up the posted side effects from the drug manufacturer and know what you are getting yourself into.