Category: Drugs

Hi, you e-mailed me a back a few months ago about Propecia questions. I have some more. I’m up to about the middle of the 7th month on Propecia and up until about the sixth month it seemed like the loss (bi-temporal hairline only) was continuing unaffected. However, recently I have seen between 5-10 really healthy looking hairs showing up way forward in the hairline, far from where the bulk of the remaining hair is. Also, the actual loss seems to have halted and some very fine “baby hairs” are visible around the temples and the hairline. I recently cut my hair very close so I could more easily tell what was going on. My question is since i can’t tell what is miniaturization, new loss, or regrowth, etc., are these normal characteristics of Propecia regrowth and if there are little hairs coming in around the hairline, how much more is possible (theoretically)?

I can’t answer that question, as each of us respond differently to the drug. What you are doing now makes sense. By cutting your hair you will see the new growth on your head. I have actually seen a few young men return their frontal hair from taking Propecia daily, although it is rare.

Hi, I have taken Propecia for the last 6 years, but finished on it about 4 months ago and started on Generic Dutasteride about 1 month ago, I would like to know how long before the Dutesteride will work on shock-loss? Would I recommended to start back on Propecia until the operation has been completed to not get any shock loss? The transplant will be at the frontal region (I have hair there still) and on the temples. I am 29 this year and Norwood 2.5, Thanks

If you were continuously on Propecia (finasteride) and then started immediately on dutasteride when you stopped Propecia, as they are both DHT blockers that work on the same mechanism, I would expect that the protection will be there already. For our readers, I believe you are concerned about developing shock loss in the existing hair after your get a hair transplant. I am curious if you are really a Norwood Class 2, why are you having a hair transplant?

Hi Doc,
Browsing the internet extensively, but cant find any updates to Avodart as regards to hairloss..

Any idea when this study will be complete?

Many thanks

The phase 3 study was completed in January of this year — ClinicalTrials.gov – A Study To Assess The Efficacy And Safety Of Dutasteride 0.5mg Once Daily For 6 Months In The Treatment Of Male Subjects With Androgenetic Alopecia

I have no idea what that means in relation to submitting it to the FDA for approvals or other timetables involved. I suspect that they competed the testing period, but may not have had time to evaluate the results yet. I searched the FDA site this morning and came up empty.

I recently read that propecia can cause a VERY gradual decrease in libido over an extended period of time in some people , to the point to where its almost not even noticeable, eventually resulting in very low libido. Is there any truth in this? I would hate to take propecia for 8 months or a year with good results and then have to discontinue use due to loss of sex drive.

I really don’t know the answer to your question. We change as we age, so it might be impossible to distinguish the slow onset of libido problems from Propecia from what you may normally experience without it. My experience with libido problems relate to many factors. If we exclude the physical issues with ED, we can talk about the partner issue, which may come into play as well. For example, when some people have marriage problems, they may lose their sex drive. If the relationship problem comes on a year after starting Propecia, it is easy to blame the drug.

My general advice to a patient would be the following:

1. If you have libido problem, try going off the Propecia for a week or two. If it is induced by the Propecia, it should reverse.
2. You can always reduce the dose to half a pill (1/2mg instead of 1mg). A half a pill is still about 80% effective as a full pill and certainly has less side effects.

I think that you should not worry about what might happen in a year, just because someone else may have experienced it. That person is not you. Each person reacts differently to various medications. The benefits of taking it and knowing that it is working on your hair is better than what might happen down the road.

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Dear Dr. Rassman,
I am a 32 year old male currently on Propecia for the past 6-7months. I know this might sound a little strange but my wife and I have noticed that ever since the first month of taking Propecia I have had significantly less body odor (particularly in the armpits). I still sweat a lot in sports (and sex) but I rarely require the use of a deodorant like I used to. Have you heard of such a side effect in your experience? I am pretty sure I am not imagining this and it was also confirmed by my wife (who is blessed by a rather well developed olfactory system!). I have not changed my diet or anything else in my life over the past few months that might trigger this. Not that I am complaining about it but apart from this rather beneficial side effect I seem to be perfectly normal!

Thanks for your help.

Interesting. I have not heard about a decrease in body odor from Propecia (finasteride 1mg), but if that is what happened, it sure does sound like a benefit.

Hello Doctor,

I am a 24 year old Caucasian male. Since my early twenties I started noticing a little hair loss. Now it has gotten to the point that I find hairs everywhere. I work on a computer all day and I constantly find new hairs with what seem to be roots attached to them on my keyboard, up to 50 a day. And that is just on my keyboard… I can’t imagine what happens when I shower or go running outside.

Also my scalp is terribly itchy all the time. I have spoken to my doctor about my premature hair loss and the itchiness and he told me the only thing that works is Minoxidil 5%. I have been using that for about 3 months now and I do not notice any improvement. Also I live in a very sunny part of the world and I read somewhere that coming in contact with sun a lot when you have Minoxidil applied isn’t very good. Is this true?

The thing that gets me most is that my father now 65 has a head full of hair, and also my mother’s father still had a head full of hair when he was 80. Only one person in the entire family has hair loss problems and that is one of my father’s brothers. And that only started when he was 45. I must say I am quite a hairy person (back, chest, legs ect) and I live a stress free life as far as I can tell.

What could be causing my hairs to fall out so early in my life? Is it all in my genes or is there something else at play? Also what would you suggest? Keep using Minoxidil or maybe start using something like Propecia?

Minoxidil can cause irritation to the scalp making it itchy, but there should be no impact of sun exposure for a person who uses minoxidil as directed. The hair loss gene (or genes) can come from either the paternal or maternal side of the family and can even skip generations, so although it might not be immediately apparent, your genetics may still be in play with regard to the hair loss you see.

I can’t suggest prescription medications like Propecia without knowing whether you have genetic hair loss. Minoxidil is an over-the-counter medication, so if you use as directed you should be fine. Many men have experienced substantial benefits from Propecia, but you should first get your hair mapped out for miniaturization to find out if you have male patterned baldness (MPB).

Would I fail a drug test if i’m taking nothing but Finasteride 1mg? Would it show as a negative drug for the workplace, school, or even military?

Thank you

Unless they are specifically testing for DHT blocking enzymes, I doubt you would fail a routine drug test. A routine drug test screens for illegal substances. Propecia (finasteride) is not illegal in the workplace, school, or even the military, though it is on the banned list for professional athletes and for people who want to donate blood.

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