Drugs – Page 35 – Balding Blog

November 12, 2012

Hair Loss InformationWill Histogen, Replicel, or Aderans Play a Larger Role Than Hair Transplants in the Near Future? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello Balding Blog!

Firstly, I would like to compliment you on a fair and unbiased blog, which really has comforted me since my hair loss has developed!

I would like to gauge your opinion on the developments in cell based treatments for hair loss. I recently read the following announcement from Histogen (Initial Results from Phase I/II Clinical Trial of HSC) detailing the result of clinical trials, which to a my untrained eye, looked very promising!

In general, do you think this and similar treatment (Repicel, Aderans) will play a more exigent role in hair loss treatments, over transplants and medications, in the near future?

Thank you for your time

Block Quote

At the ISHRS meeting last month, there was a great focus that the cure for hair loss will come from mechanisms that awaken the stem cells that are already in the head of balding people. Prostaglandin D2 seems to prevent hair growth, while other prostaglandins compete with it to control the growth. If a drug can block the effects of prostaglandin D2, this could be the cure for balding that we are all looking for.

I can’t say if Histogen, RepliCel, or Aderans will have the next great hair loss treatment, but it’s a big enough market that I think if any or all of these can prove to be effective and safe, they’ll each have their supporters. But that still remains to be seen.

So will these new treatments play a larger role than hair transplant and medication in the near future? Well, I guess it depends on how near you’re talking about.

November 12, 2012

How Soon Might Side Effects Show Up if I Get Them from Propecia? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi, I’m 18 and I’m about to go on Propecia. If I were to experience side effects, how soon would I be experiencing them? (within the first month)

If I do indeed see side effects, should I ‘push through’ them to see if my hormones re-adjust, or should I stop immediately?

Block Quote

Side effects from drugs can show up any time, though generally within the first week to month. Depending on the side effect, some people on Propecia continued to take it and the side effects subsided. Some take half the dose and the side effects subsided. Some just stopped taking and the side effects subsided.

The decision to start or stop the medication is for you and your doctor to make. Remember, it’s a prescription medication so keep an open line of communication with your prescribing doctor.

November 9, 2012

Why Did My Hair Look Better for Months After Starting Medication, But Now I’m Shedding? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have been taking Propecia for 6 Months and Rogaine for 5. My hair in the first 4 months looked so much better. Now at Month 6 my hair is beginning to thin and I am experiencing shedding. is this normal? What is going on? Also what is the best hair loss shampoo?

Block Quote

As we’ve written over and over again, you need to have a doctor examine you and establish clinical baselines before you go on medications. If you did that, you (and your doctor) would know where you were (exactly) 5-6 months ago before you went on the Propecia and Rogaine. Then when you ask “What is going on?“, any good doctor would be able to tell you this. I clearly do not have any idea where you were 5-6 months ago and where you are now. Start off by establishing a good baseline (better now than never) and forward looking, we both might know what is happening to you.

Shampoos have nothing to do with your problem, so I wouldn’t recommend grasping for a simple solution where there may not be one.

November 9, 2012

Hair Loss InformationAre The Finasteride Patient Photos You Posted For Real? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

doctor rassman and pak, are the before and after pictures of some of the finasteride users legit? such as these. especailly the first one. propecia did all that, and not even a hair transplant?

Propecia Patient Results

Remarkable Result from 2 Years on Propecia

One Year of Propecia Use

Are Minoxidil and Propecia Worth Using?

Reversal of Frontal Hair Loss from Propecia

Block Quote

All of them are absolutely legit. What reason would we have to lie about it? If they were surgical patients, we would’ve said that in the postings.

That first link shows a man with a line drawn in the before photo because he came in to discuss possible surgery, but was put on the medication and ultimately decided he didn’t need a hair transplant.

November 8, 2012

I’ve Seen Superb Results from Finasteride But I Have Mild Breast Pain Around Nipple – Balding Blog

Dr. Rassman &/or Dr. Pak,

I am contacting you to seek clarification with regard to something that you have already written about in the past. Here’s the link to the information I’m referring to.

I’ve been on finasteride (1 mg) for over 5 months and have experienced superb results. Unfortunately, I have been experiencing breast discomfort. The mild pain that I experience daily get is not confined to one breast and seems to be centered at the nipple. I remember experiencing this pain back in April, but don’t really remember ever noticing or, at least, worrying about it during the months of June or July. I talked about it with my doctor today and he told me to get off of finasteride (1 mg) for two weeks so that we can see if, in fact, finasteride (1 mg) has anything to do with the breast pain.

I’m 21 years old and have not experienced breast enlargement. Further, I have a stress or anxiety disorder that I’m thinking of dealing with by taking Prozac, which my doctor prescribed today. Also, I have functional scoliosis, which I’ve been dealing with for over two years by seeing an osteopath. Although great progress has been made with regard to my back, I still get pain and must exercise everyday. Aside from my psychological problems and my back (which is flexible and healthy, really), I am relatively healthy. I am very slim and jog regularly.

My doctor did not seem too worried about the discomfort that I experience. He didn’t even look at my breasts. Really, neither am I. I know I’m not going to get breast cancer. I don’t know of anyone on either side of my family that has developed breast cancer (including my female relatives!). This breast pain does not bother me and if it means that I have to deal with it to maintain my hair, then I would most definetly continue taking finasteride (1 mg).

What exactly is causing this discomfort? Could it be stress? Increased estrogen? I had a blood test done back in late April or early May and my doctor did not have to discuss the results with me.

Do you have any patients who have continued to take finasteride (1mg) despite having breast pain? What else do you have to say with regard to this topic?

Thanks so much! Your blog is incredible!

Breast enlargement or gynecomastia is a known (rare) side effect of Propecia (finasteride 1mg). You state you do not have gynecomastia, but have breast pain. Breast pain is a side effect of finasteride on rare occasion.

You also state your doctor did not even conduct an exam or seem concerned. I don’t know what the absolute cause of your pain and breast issues (could be the medication, could be something else), but I do think you should revisit your doctor and express concern about not being examined. Otherwise, find a doctor who is willing to at least examine your chest and conduct a proper history and exam.

November 8, 2012

Can Propecia Possibly Thicken Hair or Is a Transplant Necessary? – Balding Blog

HI Doc,

I am a 30 year old Hispanic male who is currently experiencing significant hair loss. I’ve always had thin hair, but recently it’s very noticeable. I also have scalp psoriasis and sometimes use shampoo that contains salicylic acid, which I know weakens hair shafts. My question to you is: Can I use something like Propecia to thicken my hair or do I need a hair transplant to regain thickness (fullness)? Also, If hair transplant is needed, how many grafts does it look like I need. Please help, I’m willing to do anything to get my hair somewhat back to normal.

I have attached a picture of my hair/scalp. I give you permission to post my pic if you’d like.

Thanks

Click the photo to enlarge:

Propecia (finasteride) does not “thicken” hair that is thinning due to medication, but works for those who have thinning due to genetic male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia). The medication does not work to thicken transplanted hair but will often slow down or stop further hair loss. If you have early hair loss, it’s possible that Propecia could be helpful to even regrow some of the top and crown, but I wouldn’t expect too much regrowth in the hairline. You should really talk to a doctor about your options after an in-person examination.

If you want a telephone consultation, send good pictures with your hair pulled back and your frontal forehead wrinkled upward. That will show me where the hairline belongs. Just based on a single photo, I can’t tell you if a transplant is in your future or how many grafts you’d need.

November 8, 2012

I Want to Quit Rogaine for Women After 3 Months – Balding Blog

I have been using Rogaine for women for about 3 months and haven’t seen any results. I would like to quit using it a start on another regimen. How long do I need to wait after stopping Rogaine and starting another regimen?

After 3 months, a dependency probably did not develop, so you can quit anytime. I wouldn’t expect any results to be seen in only 3 months. It’s recommended to use the product twice a day for at least 4 months before any benefits might be seen.

I don’t know what else you’re going to try, but Rogaine (minoxidil) is the only FDA approved medication for treating female hair loss.

November 7, 2012

I Have an Increased Libido and Increased Shedding After 3 Months on Propecia – Balding Blog

Dear Dr Rassman,

I’m writing to ask your opinion on my furthered use of Finasteride. I’m nearly 28 years old, around NW 2. All the men in my family (father’s side) are NW 4a by around age 40. I first noticed hairloss at the temples at age 25, at which time it was quite mild.

After suffering extensively with this emotionally (I am/was a musician), I tried 5% minoxidil for 8 months (no results).

I then consulted a dermatologist for a Finasteride prescription (5mg quartered), which I have been taking for just over three months. I have noticed a slightly increased libido and markedly increased shedding which has gotten progressively more extreme to the point where I am increasingly rapidly losing my hairline and density behind it. I am losing hair all over my head and my crown is very itchy/red/inflamed, none of which I had before starting with Finasteride. None of the men in my family suffer from crown loss.

I simply wanted to add myself to the small list of men who feel strongly that the drug is making their hairloss much, much worse and ask whether I should wait it out the suggested year or cut my losses now. My dermatologist suggested stopping the drug.

You’ve written about finasteride shedding several times and I understand your opinion is that it is something of a myth. The statistical data shows that 89% do well with the drug over a 5 year period. Nonetheless, I have seen several anecdotal accounts from men that compare with my situation (age/NW) where they claim their hairloss sped up rapidly and never returned and am unsure what to take from this.

Thanks and best regards.

Your history is atypical. Increased libido is an occasional side effect that I have seen in my patients.

With regard to your shedding, it generally stops at about 3 months, but you need to go back to your prescribing doctor and have him examine you. I hope that he did a bulk analysis of your hair to see if you are actually losing hair bulk. Applying good science tells much about what these observations mean.

November 6, 2012

Estradex for Women? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

(female)
Hi, I have been using a product spelt Estradex drops 2% but have read somewhere it has been banned? My hair has started growing using this product, I have been informed I have female pattern baldness by a trichologist. Would you use this product? and is it safe. Thankyou.

Block Quote

I’m not familiar with Estradex, and I have no idea if it was banned (by whom?). I did look it up, and although I could find very little about this lotion, it appears to be something sold by a UK trichology clinic. I don’t know about its safety profile, but I do know it’s not something I’d likely recommend to my own patients. If you were using it with good results, you can talk to your doctor about continuing it.

The only product I recommend for treating female hair loss is minoxidil, as it is the only FDA approved female hair loss medication. You can get boutique formulations of minoxidil with various ingredients, but the active ingredient is still minoxidil.

November 2, 2012

Taking Propecia After Gynecomastia Surgery? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Is it safe to take propecia after getting gynecomastia surgery? I am scheduled to get surgery for gynecomastia that I got during puberty and not from propecia use but I am worried that if I take the medication after the surgery I am putting myself at risk of the drug causing breast swelling and tenderness

Block Quote

I do not know your personal medical history, so this is a question that you need to ask your doctor. If you choose to take Propecia or any other medication, you would need to be monitored by a doctor who can follow up with you regarding side effects and risks. Propecia has a known rare side effect that can cause gynecomastia. If you already have gynecomastia (without Propecia), I do not know how the drug will affect it.

Generally, in our experience, this has been a difficult problem to address. If you balance the risk against the reward, only you can make this decision. Many people with gynecomastia can be treated with surgery alone (often just a lump) and the problem goes away, but not always. Thus, you will need a close follow-up with your doctor.