Finasteride

Finasteride (generic for Propecia®) is an FDA-approved medication used to treat male pattern hair loss (gradual thinning of the hair on the scalp, leading to a receding hairline or balding on the top of the head in men). Finasteride belongs to a class of drugs known as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors.

In studies, 80% of men taking Finasteride 1mg preserved their original hair follicle counts and 64% experienced some regrowth after two years of continued use. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it, and it may take up to 3 months to notice a difference.

You must continue to take this medication to maintain your hair growth. When you stop taking finasteride, any gain in hair quantity is generally lost within 12 months.

Finasteride works by blocking the action of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. This enzyme changes testosterone to DHT, the hormone believed to contribute to hair loss in men.

Daily use for at least three months may be necessary before a patient will notice the prevention of further hair loss or increased hair growth.

Be sure to tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

The more common side effects that can occur with finasteride include:

• decreased sex drive
• trouble getting or keeping an erection
• ejaculation disorder
• increase in breast size and tenderness
• skin rash

If these effects are mild, they may disappear within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor.

If a patient stops taking finasteride, DHT levels will rise again in the scalp, and it is likely that hair loss will resume.