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.