Propecia Inside Out.

Propecia

Generic Name: Finasteride (Fin-nas-ter-ride)

Propecia is a very commonly used medication for treating hair loss. It's one of the only two FDA approved treatment that is proven and effective. This medication is ONLY suitable for Male Pattern Hair Loss. Females are advised not to get into contact with this medication due to its effects on pregnancy.

Who is behind this?

Merck & Co.

Merck & Co. or also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme was established in 1901 in the United States and is the 7th largest pharmaceutical company in the world generating revenues of approximately USD 24 Billion in 2007. Its line of products includes

• Proscar
• Zocor
• Singulair
• Gardisil

The company has spent huge amounts of resources on medical research and can be considered one of the more trustworthy healthcare firms in the world.

What makes it work?

Propecia's active ingredient is Finasteride which is an anti androgen. It was first approved in 1992 as Proscar for treating prostate enlargement. Further studies have shown that Finasteride in smaller amounts are capable of reversing hair loss.

Finasteride mode of action

Finasteride works by inhibiting the type II 5 alpha reductase enzyme (5AR) in your body that binds together with Testosterone to create DHT. By blocking the enzyme, the DHT levels in your body will drop resulting in less buildup of DHT in the scalp area.

If you need to understand about Male Pattern Baldness, please visit this page or visit here to learn about DHT.

So whats the Side Effects?

Propecia is known for its identified side effects, though suffering from it is UNCOMMON, it is known to cause

Difficulty in breathing Swelling Vertigo Pain in the testicles Decreased libido Abnormal ejaculation Dizziness Skin rash Headaches

If you notice that you are suffering from any of these symptoms, you might continue trying as these symptoms will usually go away. If the symptoms get worse, STOP IMMEDIATELY and consult your doctor about these symptoms. You might be allergic to this medication.

IMPORTANT

This treatment is not designed for women. Females must not use or even touch it. The medication can cause abnormalities to your male baby's sex organs. If you accidentally comes to contact with a crushed pill, consult your doctor immediately. This medication is coated so it's safe but better be safe than sorry.

Who should take this?

As this medicine works by inhibiting the production of DHT, anyone that suffers from Male Pattern Baldness can take this medication. However, if you are suffering from

• Prostate problems
• Liver disease
• Prostate cancer
• Post Cancer
• Bladder problems

Do consult your doctor first before taking on this pill.

How should I use this product effectively?

If you intend to try this product, follow the instructions properly. In normal cases, you should take 1 Propecia tablet daily. Do not overdose this product. If you miss a day, just continue the next day but do not take extra pills to compensate.

You will have continue using it for at least 3 to 6 months before you can visibly see any results. Don't expect to see any great results at first, but in a period of 1 year, you should notice that your hair follicle's density will improve.

If you don't see any differences after a year, you should stop taking it because it reflects Propecia is not effective for you. Taking it is a lifetime commitment or at least till you decide. Stopping from this medication for a few months will cause all the hair that you have gained through the course to fall off. So you have to be prepared for it.

How much it costs you?

Expect this to be a long term treatment. If you want to try it, get ready to fork out around USD 30.00 per month for a prescription of 30 tablets. That will costs you around USD 360.00 per year if you buy monthly. Look for 1 year's plan which might cost you around USD 230.00 - USD 280.00 instead. If you don't intend to take this medication for long term don't bother using it as it won't benefit you.

Of course, you can always look for generic Finasteride or Proscar which is its big brother. Proscar is actually 4 times the same content of its counter part selling at much less. It's bothersome but if you cut it to 4 parts and you get almost the same content as 1 Propecia pill.

Clinical Studies

Need more information and details regarding this product? Check out the some of the research materials here.

See Official FDA Information here. (Opens a new window)

In my Opinion

Propecia should be included in your hair loss regimen. I've been using it for 4 years to maintain and improve my hairline and I don't face any side effects. It's FDA approved and it works by inhibiting DHT.

Well not everyone wants to take this because they might be afraid of the side effects or because of the cost. Try it if you can stick a long term treatment and if you're not bothered about the possible side effects.

Have you been using Propecia or thinking about using it? Do you have a better alternative? Share your thoughts and opinions with us by writing your own views about it. If this medication works for you it’ll be great to share and let people know!