Category: Drugs

I have had 1 transplant from you guys 9 years ago. I feel a need another now(I am 45 yrs old). Can you prescribe me Propecia also when I come out there or do I have to get it from a local doctor, and how do I convince them I need it?? I live in Missouri.
thanks

Some doctors, for reasons I do not understand, have not become familiar with Propecia. These doctors don’t recognize genetic hair loss as a problem, yet for those of us who are impacted by the process, it is important. The drug Propecia is one of the wonder drugs of our time. With 50% of men eventually going bald, this drug has a place for preventing hair loss in the people like you and me.

Call my office at 1-800-NEW-HAIR and let’s talk.

I have a question for you … on merck site it says hair mass can thicken up to two yrs… but I was told it can thicken up to three yrs… is that true??? and when is the best time to take propecia am or pm??? please let me know your answer… thanks

I would not doubt what Merck says, but these are generalizations about the length of time the drug will give thickness- it can vary with each patient from one to three years. It is best to take Propecia in the morning, since that is the time of day that men have their highest testosterone levels. As Propecia has a half life of four hours, it theoretically gets less effective later in the day, when you take it in the morning. The reality is that the drug binds to the receptors and even if the blood levels go down, the drug may still maintain effectiveness through the day.

Doctor,
Thank you for this site. I’m certain it must be frustrating at times getting the same questions over and over (read the old posts people!!!!), but let me assure you that your time is not wasted. Many of us will certainly be coming to you in the future because of the site.

My question is as follows: If an individual starts taking propecia, then a few years later decides to get a transplant, will the transplant doctor still be able to predict the progression of hair loss in order to properly assess what needs to be done, or will the drug make this difficult (because the doctor won’t be able to see the ‘natural’ progression because (hopefully) the drug has effected the normal hair loss)?

i.e. I’m suggesting that the transplant doctor was not the one to suggest the drug years before, nor has access to any previous records.

When looking at Propecia induced hair growth or preservation, you can always see what area has been saved or regrown because the genetically impacted hair will have a high percentage of miniaturized hair easily seen under microscopic examination of the scalp. So do not fret, the ability to predict a master plan in a person over 30 is relatively easier to do than you may think. The ability to predict the final hair loss pattern is less with younger men, certainly those under 24 years old.

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Hi, Im chinese and 28 years old and started thinning at the age 26. i’m using supplements (zinc,biotin and b5) and herbal topical solution like AO lotion made by bioscor international, and just started hair genesis topical solution and shampoo and oral gel. They claimed FDA approval and have clinical study. My doctor told me the only drugs FDA approved are rogaine and propecia. is that true? thanks hope to hear from your soon

What your doctor told you appears to be true. Only Propecia and Rogaine (Minoxidil) are approved for hair loss. That means that they show benefit and are proven safe.

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I ran into the following article which shows the general direction for exploring the prevention of prostate cancer. The following is the introduction to the the journal article.

INTRODUCTION: If an agent can slow the growth of existing prostate cancer cells, it remains plausible that it may be effective as an adjunct to surgery, radiation or chemotherapy.

DISCUSSION: Level-1 evidence will be needed in order to definitively prove the efficacy of agents as chemoprevention strategies for prostate cancer. Currently, only finasteride fulfills this criterion. Two major trials are underway that will assess the role of soy, vitamin E and selenium in prostate cancer prevention.

CONCLUSION: Tantalizing prospects for effective chemoprevention of prostate cancer exist. Fortunately, well-conducted randomized trials will allow us to answer many of these questions within the next 2 to 8 years.

Source: Can J Urol. 2005 Jun;12(3 Suppl):2-4. Prostate cancer: chemoprevention update 2005 by: Fleshner N, Al Azab R. Department of Surgery (Urology), University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Please note that Finasteride (Propecia/Proscar) is presently the only agent for prevention of prostate cancer so its use in hair loss has clear benefits beyond the ability of the drug to reduce the rate of or possibly reverse the hair loss.