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More Info on Generic Propecia in the US

We received quite a few phone calls and emails after yesterday’s post about Dr Reddy’s 1mg finasteride (generic Propecia) now becoming available in the US, so we called some pharmacies in the Los Angeles area to get pricing/availability info:

Costco:

In stock! $47.37 per 30 day supply at Hawthorne, CA location (compared to $73.92 for name brand Propecia). Costco has an online price checker, but it’s not showing the 1mg generic in the system yet.

Target:

In stock! $67.99 per 30 day supply at Los Angeles location on La Cienega (compared to $73.92 for name brand Propecia)

CVS:

In stock! $70 per 30 day supply (compared to $98 for name brand Propecia)

Walmart:

Not in stock as of this posting (Jan 8, 2013)

Walgreens:

Not in stock as of this posting (Jan 8, 2013)

Rite Aid:

Not in stock as of this posting (Jan 8, 2013)

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There isn’t a significant savings from the generic at CVS or Target, but Costco has the lowest price so far at under $48/mo. It doesn’t seem like there will be a huge drop in price until perhaps the 180 day exclusive window is up and other pharmaceutical companies can make their generic Propecia available. I have no estimates on what the price point might be 6-12 months from today, but I hope the price does come down considerably in that time.

Pricing and availability could change at any point, so you should call your local pharmacy for info.

Photo source: Twitter @KerriLynn_C (hat tip to KP)


2013-01-08 13:32:54More Info on Generic Propecia in the US

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Boar Bristle Brush, Water, and Wheatgrass

Dr Rassman, like many others, I keep an eye on my head every day, not liking what I see. I’ve already been on propecia for a couple of yrs, seemingly with no significant benefits. This has lead to explore other options, theories etc. That being said, I would really appreciate your thoughts on 3 things and whether they earn a spot on the list of possible contributors to hair loss. They would obviously be an aside to the most common ones ie genetic, infection related, stress

1. The first is not drinking enough water, because generally speaking there are a number of ramifications for not doing so.

2. Second one is, benefits from using a boar bristle brush with the theory being: “The other excellent feature of a boar bristle brush is the massaging effect. The hard bristles stimulate the scalp, increasing the blood flow which can be very relaxing and soothing. The stimulation of the scalp also spreads the natural oils of the scalp – the sebum through the hair and down the hair shaft. This results in smoother, healthier hair that is soft and manageable. Increasing the blood flow to the scalp has been linked to stimulating hair growth, creating thicker and longer hair as well.”

3. And last, possible benefits from “supplements” such as drinking wheatgrass or matcha based drinks, both of which seemingly have a number of overall health benefits.

Thanks very much in advance for your time and valuable input!

We have said many times that genetic hair loss is not a curable or completely reversible process. It is what you are born with. Drugs such as Propecia (finasteride) work, but in the long run your genes will catch up. I’m not sure what benefits you’re looking for from Propecia. Are you merely looking for regrowth? Or have you seen continued loss at the same pace?

  1. Drinking water and hydration have nothing to do with hair loss.
  2. Massaging the head with brushes do not impact hair loss (either positive or negative). Blood flow is not the issue. Your hair follicles are programmed to die due to their inherent genetic programming tied to a particular number of hair cycles.
  3. I realize supplements are a big thing in our society, but it really does not impact the hair in my opinion.

Sorry for the negativity, but it is how I see it. Everyone is free to try their own remedies in hopes of stumbling on the cure.

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Boost Hair Vitamins

i was just wondering if you heard of a company called “Boost”? They are a vitamin company and a hair care product company. Supposedly there stuff works they say?! Have you heard of them? Their website is worldofhair.com

Can you check out their site and tell me what you think? I basically dont want to start buying there product and realize it’s bogus!!

BoostVitamins are great, and products that can strengthen hair or make it healthier are good… but they have one product in their Boost line that claims to be good for thinning hair, and even says “guaranteed to stop hair fall”. Most over the counter hair products people ask me about the outlandish hair loss treatment claims (like guaranteeing something that can’t be guaranteed), and unfortunately this one is no different. It appears to just be a vitamin infused shampoo. Which vitamins is it infused with? No idea. However, I’d be skeptical of any product that brags about hair growth abilities and tries to sell the idea by saying it contains, “herbs, proteins, aminos and more“. I want to know if “more” includes leprechaun magic…

Does it work? Again, I have no idea. But when a company uses smooth sounding marketing lingo and doesn’t provide any real substance, it doesn’t fill me with any trust in the products. Don’t expect it to regrow hair, but if you do try it I’d be curious to read your review. The FDA takes a strong position when a company promotes a benefit and can not prove it. They can be told to stop selling the product.

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Only have my mustache grows, what can I do?

I have always grown a full mustache but mine started disappearing little by little. I only grow one side and the other is as smooth as a babies bottom. what sucks so much about is that I have to keep up with shaving one side so you cant see it growing in and looks like I forgot a side lol. (what’s going on) any anwsers

A mustache transplant can solve this problem, something we do frequently

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Brain Fog on Finasteride, Maybe Nocebo Effect!

Since we’ve last spoken, my condition has significantly bettered. My sexual function is comparable to my base line(pre-finasteride). However, I had to play with the frequency and dosing to get to this position. I’m now at a lower dose, however, I am showing symptoms similar to what most believe to be brain fog/diminished cognitive ability. However, I think that this may be a nocebo effect as I’ve since lowered my dosage, this decreases the plasma and serum concentrations of the drug. In regards to such, it would make sense that my onset for the diminished cognitive function would occur when I was at a higher dose, and not at the one I’m at now.

Let me know your new dose and if the Brain Fog goes away in the next few weeks.


2020-06-01 03:51:16Brain Fog on Finasteride, Maybe Nocebo Effect!

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My colleagues are reporting that they are running out of masks

Although this caricature is funny, it is pointing out the problems that many clinics are experiencing with surgical masks. Fortunately, we have adequate supply, but unless more supply is going to be available, we may do some improvising.


2020-03-04 15:41:30My colleagues are reporting that they are running out of masks

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Brow Lift with Hair Loss in Woman with FFA

I can so relate to the brow loss hair post. I’m so fearful that I made a bad decision about having a forehead lift because I, too, am losing lots of hair from the top and sides of my head. I am 7 weeks out and panic stricken because, around the incision, I am starting to look bald. It looks like I have cradle cap which is starting to come off and surface is raw underneath. Im using Silva dine on it. My surgeon keeps saying it’s all fine but I look horrible. The suture line has not healed yet. I do have a condition called Frontal Fibrotic Alopecia. Oddly enough, the hair transplants in the area are growing! HELP!

Women who lose hair from shock loss often have that hair return after a period of 4-6 months when the anagen phase kicks in. Frontal Fibrotic Alopecia generally causes hair loss in the frontal area and sooner or later it will most likely cause you to lose the transplants in the frontal area.


2018-10-10 12:37:31Brow Lift with Hair Loss in Woman with FFA

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My Dermatologist Said That Telogen Hair is Supposed to be Miniaturized

Hi Dr. Rassman,
I went to see a dermatologist today about my diffuse hair loss, and I asked him if the thinner hairs that are falling out now (as opposed to the thicker hairs that fell out before) necessarily pinpointed miniaturization. He said that a telogen hair is supposed to be miniaturized compared with a anagen hair. Now, I’ve done quite a bit of research on this topic, and I’ve never heard that a telogen hair was supposed to be miniaturized. Can you give some insight into why he might say this? Thanks so much!

I agree with you. Telogen hairs, when they fall out, are normal width. I have no idea why your dermatologist would say otherwise.

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Caffeine Used for Treating Hair Loss?

Hi Doc,

I found this article about caffeine and hair loss. It seems a little silly to me. Care to comment? Once again thanks for all of your work.

Coffee could help cure baldness

CoffeeThis article is referring to the research that was done in Germany and recently published in International Journal of Dermatology. In this study, researchers removed some hair follicles from balding patients. They have cultured the hair follicles and then exposed them to testosterone and/or caffeine. The growth of the hair follicles has shown to be increased after being exposed to caffeine, so the investigators suggested that caffeine may have a protective mechanism against testosterone effects on hair growth.

Does it mean that you should double the amount of coffee you take every day to prevent your hair loss?

The answer is “absolutely not“.

Although interesting, this basic study was done in the lab and not in the human body. There are several factors involved in the process of hair loss that can not necessarily be contemplated in cell culture. In order to reach the conclusion to use caffeine as a medication for hair loss, several other studies should be done. Efficient levels of caffeine should be determined in animal studies in an appropriate hair loss model (topical, as well as systemic). Safety of caffeine at those concentrations should be determined with toxicology examinations. After these phases, and if it is proven to be both efficient and safe in animals, the product should pass different phases in human trials, like any other medication. The human part of the study usually takes years before it could be approved for human use.