Propecia the newest treatment for men’s hair loss problems.

There is a 94%(after last studies) chance of keeping all the hair you currently have by taking

a pill every day.With Propecia, it’s not only a dream,

it’s becoming a reality for hundreds of thousands of men. For the group

of younger men looking to keep their hair loss from getting any worse,

this treatment has become a Godsend. Men who have already lost a significant

amount of hair can use Propecia to obtain hair reqrowth and no hair loss again while taking this tiny pill every day.

PATIENCE: Propecia takes time. Do not expect results in 3 months.

If you are a good responder, your hair loss will stop at about month 4.

You typically will not see any regrowth until month 6 to 8, and your optimum

results on the treatment won’t be seen until after one full year. Be patient,

know that you’ve got an 94%(after last studies) chance to keep what you have today, and let

it do its great job.

Propecia finasteride side effects.

The great thing about this treatment is that
you can take it for a month to see how well you tolerate it. If you notice
any problems and wish to discontinue, you may do so without having done
yourself any harm. Those who do experience side effects will also be happy
to know that these side effects are very common at the beginning of treatment
while your system is adjusting itself, and typically disappear after a
couple months or less.

How to use propecia finasteride ?

Propecia should be administered at 1mg daily in pill form, with no exceptions.
Many people talk about custom dosing, skipping days, doubling up, etc.
This will not only do nothing to help your hair loss, but will also do
your system more harm than good. Hormones are very delicate chemicals
that operate in conjunction with each other Therefore a constant daily
dose will ensure a stable hormonal environment, and keep your biology
in harmony.

With Propecia the Impossible is easy

Propecia is a pill taken by mouth that is a fairly new and effective treatment for male baldness. An increase in scalp hair count and hair regrowth was seen in over 80% of men for whom it was prescribed. Numerous studies have been done looking at the efficacy of PROPECIA. Overall improvements were seen as quickly as 3 months after starting the medicine. PROPECIA not only led to a decrease in hair loss but also significantly increased the rate of hair regrowth. These effects were maintained for over 2 years with continued PROPECIA therapy.

Propecia should be stored at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.

This drug is taken by mouth. 1 tablet per day. PROPECIA is the brand name for finasteride, which acts to inhibit the conversion of the androgen (male hormone) testosterone into 5-alpha-dihydrotesterone (DHT). In men each hair follicle contains tiny amounts of DHT. As male pattern baldness begins the amount of DHT contained in each follicle increases. PROPECIA through its inhibitory action serves to reverse this process by decreasing the amount of DHT in the hair follicle and in blood.

In clinical studies adverse reactions were noted to be rare and did not affect most men. The most common adverse reaction was decreased libido that appeared to occur in less then 2.0% of men taking this medicine. The problem quickly resolved in all cases upon the discontinuation of the medication.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as remembered; do not take if it is almost time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not “double-up” the dose to catch up.

General Information

Propecia (finasteride) has been approved for the treatment of male pattern baldness. Propecia is the first drug available in pill form.

Clinical Results

In men with mild to moderate hair loss, clinical trials showed that 83% of the male patients had kept their hair or grown more after one year of treatment.

Side Effects

Side effects reported in approximately 2% of patients included a diminished desire for sex, difficulty achieving an erection, and/or a decreased amount of semen. The drug will not be marketed for women because safety and effectiveness have not bee established in women, and it is associated with birth defects.

Mechanism of Action

The drug’s active ingredient, finasteride, is already approved for the treatment of prostate enlargement. It works by blocking an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, which is responsible for the formation of dihydro-testosterone in a man’s body. The enzyme converts testosterone to DHT, and it is believed that DHT is a key factor in male pattern hair loss. Finasteride decreases the concentration of DHT in a man’s scalp by about two-thirds.

History of Propecia(finasteride)

In the early 1990’s finasteride, a prescription
medication approved in tablet form for use to treat enlarged prostate
glands, was discovered to have the “side effect” of preventing
hair loss. With extensive clinical studies, it was determined that
even at 1/5th the dosage used to treat prostate conditions, finasteride
tablets can have a powerful effect on stopping male pattern hair
loss, and with continuing use, there can be hair regrowth. In 1994
Dr. Panagotacos began using finasteride on himself. in 1998
the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved finasteride as
a hair loss treatment, under the brand name Propecia. Now, with
prescription Propecia available in convenient tablet form, he finds
that many of his hair transplant patients choose to also take finasteride
to “keep what they have”. Dr. Panagotacos requires
an examination before prescribing Propecia tablets. Propecia
is for men only.

Propecia treats male pattern hair loss for ages,give it a try if your hair goes on vacation.

Finasteride (marketed as Proscar, Propecia, Fincar, Finpecia, Finax, Finast, Finara, Finalo, Prosteride, Gefina, Finasterid IVAX) is an antiandrogen which acts by inhibiting type II 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is used as a treatment in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in low doses, and prostate cancer in higher doses. It is also indicated for use in combination with doxazosin therapy to reduce the risk for symptomatic progression of BPH. Additionally, it is registered in many countries for androgenetic alopecia (male-pattern baldness).Finasteride was approved initially in 1992 as Proscar, a treatment for prostate enlargement, but the sponsor had studied 1 mg of finasteride and demonstrated hair growth in male pattern hair loss. On December 22, 1997, the FDA approved finasteride to treat male pattern hair loss.

The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) showed at a dosage of 5mg per day, as is commonly prescribed for BPH, though much higher than the 1mg generally prescribed for hair loss, participants taking finasteride were 25% less likely to have developed prostate cancer at the end of the trial compared to those taking a placebo. Further, finasteride increased the specificity and selectivity of prostate cancer detection, thus, a seemly increased rate of high Gleason grade tumor.

Recognized side effects, experienced by around >1% of users, include erectile dysfunction, and less often gynecomastia (breast gland enlargement).As expected from its short 6-8 hour half-life, in trial studies, side effects ceased after dosage was discontinued.

What is the most important information I should know about Propecia?
• Women who are or who may become pregnant must not handle crushed or broken Propecia tablets. The medication could be absorbed through the skin. Propecia is known to cause birth defects in a developing male baby. Exposure to whole tablets should be avoided whenever possible, however exposure to whole tablets is not expected to be harmful as long as the tablets are not swallowed.
What is Propecia?
• Propecia prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. DHT is involved in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and hair loss.
• Proscar is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate). Propecia is also used to reduce hair loss due to male pattern baldness.
• Propecia may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Propecia?
• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver disease. You may not be able to take Propecia, or you may need a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment.
• Propecia is intended for use by men only.
• Propecia is not indicated for use by women. Do not take or handle this medication if you are pregnant or are could become pregnant during treatment. Propecia is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that it is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Women who are or who may become pregnant must not handle crushed or broken Propecia tablets. The medication could be absorbed through the skin. Propecia is known to cause birth defects in a developing male baby. Exposure to whole tablets should be avoided whenever possible, however exposure to whole tablets is not expected to be harmful as long as the tablets are not swallowed.
• It is not known whether Propecia passes into breast milk. Propecia is not intended for use by women. Do not take this medication if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take Propecia?
• Take Propecia exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• Propecia can be taken with or without food.
• It is important to take Propecia regularly to get the most benefit.
• Your doctor may perform blood tests or other forms of monitoring during treatment with Propecia. One of the tests that may be performed is called PSA (prostate-specific antigen). This test is used to help detect prostate cancer. Propecia will reduce the amount of PSA measured in the blood. Your doctor is aware of this effect and can still use PSA to help detect prostate cancer.
• Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
• Women who are or who may become pregnant must not handle crushed or broken Propecia tablets. The medication could be absorbed through the skin. Propecia is known to cause birth defects in a developing male baby. Exposure to whole tablets should be avoided whenever possible, however exposure to whole tablets is not expected to be harmful as long as the tablets are not swallowed.
What is Propecia?
• Propecia prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. DHT is involved in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and hair loss.
• Proscar is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate). Propecia is also used to reduce hair loss due to male pattern baldness.
• Propecia may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Propecia?
• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver disease. You may not be able to take Propecia, or you may need a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment.
• Propecia is intended for use by men only.
• Propecia is not indicated for use by women. Do not take or handle this medication if you are pregnant or are could become pregnant during treatment. Propecia is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that it is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Women who are or who may become pregnant must not handle crushed or broken Propecia tablets. The medication could be absorbed through the skin. Propecia is known to cause birth defects in a developing male baby. Exposure to whole tablets should be avoided whenever possible, however exposure to whole tablets is not expected to be harmful as long as the tablets are not swallowed.
• It is not known whether Propecia passes into breast milk. Propecia is not intended for use by women. Do not take this medication if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take Propecia?
• Take Propecia exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• Propecia can be taken with or without food.
• It is important to take Propecia regularly to get the most benefit.
• Your doctor may perform blood tests or other forms of monitoring during treatment with Propecia. One of the tests that may be performed is called PSA (prostate-specific antigen). This test is used to help detect prostate cancer. Propecia will reduce the amount of PSA measured in the blood. Your doctor is aware of this effect and can still use PSA to help detect prostate cancer.
• Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Side effects
Finasteride is not indicated for use by women. Finasteride is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that it is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Women who are or who may become pregnant must not handle crushed or broken finasteride tablets, because the medication could be absorbed through the skin. Finasteride is known to cause birth defects in a developing male baby. Exposure to whole tablets should be avoided whenever possible, however exposure to whole tablets is not expected to be harmful as long as the tablets are not swallowed. It is not known whether finasteride passes into breast milk, and thus should not be taken by breastfeeding women. Finasteride may pass into the semen of men, but Merck states that a pregnant woman’s contact with the semen of a man taking finasteride is not an issue for concern.[2]

Finasteride has been linked with depression [3] The drug also caused reductions in allopregnanolone, a potent, endogenous positive modulator of the GABA-A receptor, in very large doses in rodent studies.[4]

Finasteride can also be used to mask steroid abuse, and many professional sports have banned finasteride use for this reason. [5]

Finasteride is under investigation by the Swedish Medical Products Agency for possibly causing irreversible sexual side effects [6].
Use as a treatment for hair loss
In a 5-year study of men with mild to moderate hair loss, 48% of those treated with Propecia (finasteride 1mg) experienced some regrowth of hair, and 42% had no further loss. Average hair count in the treatment group remained above baseline, and showed an increasing difference from hair count in the placebo group, for all five years of the study.[5]. Propecia is effective only for as long as it is taken; the hair gained or maintained is lost within 6-12 months of ceasing therapy.[7] In clinical studies, Propecia, like minoxidil, was shown to work on both the crown area and the hairline,[8] but is most successful in the crown area.

Some users, in an effort to save money, buy Proscar instead of Propecia, and split the Proscar pills to approximate the Propecia dosage. Doing so is generally considered unadvisable if women of pregnancy age are in the household; this is because finasteride, even in small concentrations, can cause birth defects in a developing male fetus. The birth defects involve the development of male genitalia (no such effects have been noted in developing female fetuses). On most product inserts, it will be mentioned that the dust or crumbs from broken Propecia tablets should be kept away from pregnant women.

Propecia has been shown to be ineffective for treating hair loss in women.[citation needed] However, Propecia’s supporters respond that the study was on post-menopausal women whose hair loss was more likely related to the loss of estrogen versus a sensitivity to testosterone. Many doctors prescribe it for women, but not without either careful birth control measures or assurance that the woman cannot become pregnant.
Possible health concerns
The UC Berkeley Wellness Letter expressed concern in March 2003 about the unproven long-term safety of Propecia and recommended cutting a standard 1 milligram dose of Propecia into quarters to reduce the cost without reducing its effectiveness. This claim appears to be supported by clinical pharmacological data reviewed by the FDA during Propecia’s approval process that suggested that the advantage of taking 1 mg per day over 0.2 mg per day is statisticially small.[9] Some people have unsuccessfully petitioned the FDA to re-examine the approved dosage in light of the statistical evidence and unknown long-term risks.[10] The FDA responded and said that just because the level of DHT found in the scalp was not significantly different does not mean there is a correlation with hair loss. A study would have to show that the benefits of using 0.2 mg and 1 mg were not statistically different. According to the FDA such a study has been performed and a 1 mg dose has a greater benefit whilst remaining equally safe. The same study also concluded that doses of 0.01 mg per day were found to be ineffective in treating hair loss.[10]

In the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT), 25 percent fewer men taking the drug finasteride developed prostate cancer than men not taking the drug. However, men who developed prostate cancer while taking finasteride were more likely to have high-grade cancers, which can spread quickly even if the tumors are small. [11]
Propecia’s effects in detail
DHT is a derivative hormone (metabolite) of testosterone that has been shown to be critical to the initiation and progression of follicular miniaturization and eventual destruction of hair follicles in male pattern baldness. DHT is a steroid hormone just like testosterone but with greater affinity for the androgen receptor. Converting testosterone to DHT thus increases many of its effects.

While the mechanism by which DHT is involved in hair loss is not confirmed, many dermatologists and research scientists specializing in hair loss believe DHT molecules may diffuse into the interior of hair follicle cells (the cytoplasm or cytosol) and bind with androgen receptors. This complex, both the receptor and the DHT molecule, then enters the nucleus of the cell. In the nucleus of the hair follicle cell this complex could then alter the rate of protein synthesis in men who are genetically predisposed to baldness.[citation needed]

However, DHT also plays an important role in the functioning of the central nervous system (the brain), the testicles and prostate, and almost everything but muscle tissue. In muscle tissue testosterone is the dominant hormone, which is why some bodybuilders inject testosterone derivatives to aid in muscular development.

Propecia (and other products containing finasteride) cause a rise in testosterone levels because testosterone that would normally be converted into DHT remains testosterone. Continual high levels of testosterone in the body could possibly have negative side effects.
Artificially low levels of DHT in the body could cause some unwanted conditions. DHT is an antagonist of estrogen. Men’s bodies also produce the female hormone estrogen in the adrenal glands, although this is just one-tenth of the estrogen that premenopausal women produce in their ovaries. By reducing DHT with drugs, a man’s protection from the effects of estrogen may also be reduced. This could result in gynecomastia.
Even though both finasteride and dutasteride were developed to combat benign prostatic hyperplasia by reducing DHT in prostate tissue, some scientists question the wisdom of using these 5-alpha reductase inhibitors in younger men who have no problem with their prostates. A research chemist, Patrick Arnold, says “Evidence is mounting that the existence of a high estrogen/androgen ratio – a condition common in older men – is highly correlated with the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia.”[citation needed] However, in apparent contradiction, individuals with 5-alpha-reductase deficiency (and thus a similar hormonal profile to users of DHT inhibitors) do not experience BPH.