What is finasteride?
In the U.S., finasteride 1 mg is the chemical name for generic Propecia. Per the FDA, the effectiveness of a generic drug is the same as the branded drug.
The U.S. FDA has approved finasteride to be the medication to treat mild to moderate male pattern baldness. Doctors refer to male pattern baldness as androgenic alopecia.
Scientists showed that finasteride can effectively promote hair regrowth and slow down the progression of hair loss for most men, especially in men with male pattern baldness.
So, finasteride benefits most U.S. men by promoting hair regrowth and slowing down the progression of hair loss in men with male pattern baldness.
Alternatively, you can use topical minoxidil solution only, or not use anything at all. Of course, while finasteride can help most men with male pattern baldness, it may not be able to help some men with hair loss.
How effective is finasteride in stopping hair loss?
Multiple clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of finasteride 1 mg in treating male pattern baldness. In particular, these studies showed that finasteride can significantly increase hair count and slow down hair loss progression. However, this benefit affects only men, as finasteride does not work for post menopause women with hair loss.
What areas does finasteride treat?
Patients often see the beneficial effects of finasteride as more pronounced in the top of the scalp and the anterior mid-scalp area. But, people have reported that they are not sure about the effect on the temple areas.
How to take finasteride?
Doctors generally prescribe the standard dosage of finasteride for male pattern baldness, which is 1 mg per day, taken orally. Patients usually take it with or without food. You should take it consistently for at least three to six months to see noticeable improvements in hair growth. But, you if discontinue treatment, any benefits gained from finasteride will gradually diminish, and hair loss may resume.
Who cannot take finasteride?
Doctors do not recommend finasteride for use in women or children. Pregnant or nursing women should avoid handling crushed or broken finasteride tablets. The reason is that it can be absorbed through the skin. It may then cause significant harm to a developing male fetus.
Also, individuals with liver disease or known hypersensitivity to finasteride should also avoid using the medication.
What are the common side effects of finasteride?
People generally tolerate finasteride well. However, like any medication, it may cause side effects in some individuals. For example, the most commonly reported side effects include decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and decreased ejaculate volume.
But, you can generally reverse these side effects upon discontinuation of the medication. Also, while you are taking finasteride, you cannot rely on the blood test result for PSA as it will not be accurate.
What are the less common or rare side effects of finasteride?
- A study showed that taking finasteride 5 mg every day for 7 years to prevent prostate cancer did lower the chances of getting prostate cancer. However, the study also showed that the risk of getting high-grade tumors was increased.
- This study found that several men taking finasteride daily have breast cancer. The authors of the study did not know conclusively whether or not taking finasteride daily caused the breast cancer in these men.
How to store finasteride?
Please store finasteride tablets in tight light-resistant containers to prevent reduced potency from oxygen, moisture, and light.