Posts Tagged: Finasteride

Can Hair Loss Increase on Propecia for Four Months?

February 12th, 2007

Q: I believe I am an “early” IIIA or IVA. I am not losing any hair on the back of the scalp. There is no substantial hereditary hair loss on either side of the family, but I began taking Propecia four months ago and recently noticed a dramatic thinning of hair on the top (front) of the scalp, extending back to the rear of the head.

A: Often people experience some shedding the first six months on finasteride as the new hair essentially pushes out some of the old. I would wait a full year before making any judgments about a hair transplant since you may see significant regrowth from finasteride in the second six months and may not need surgery at this point, particularly if the hair loss is early.

Topic: Drugs & Medications

Tags: / / / / / / / / / / / /

Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D. at 11:15 am

Should One Use Multiple Hair Loss Medications, Such as Both Avodart and Propecia?

February 9th, 2007

Q: I’m 52 years old and have been taking Propecia (finasteride) for two years. It seems to maintain the status quo with no apparent regrowth. I am considering adding a dose of Avodart (dutasteride) once a week in conjunction with the daily Propecia. My question is twofold: (1) Since dutasteride blocks production of both enzymes (type I and II) that produce DHT from testosterone, is it redundant to take the finasteride that only blocks the type I enzyme?

A: It is redundant to take both.

However, you may not be taking the optimal dose of dutasteride which seems to be at least 0.5mg a day for hair loss.

Topic: Drugs & Medications

Tags: / / / / / / / / / /

Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D. at 9:15 am

If Taking Multiple Hair Loss Medications, Do You Recommend Stopping One Medication if it Shows No Improvement?

February 6th, 2007

Q: If I use the dutasteride for one year and do not see a noticeable improvement can I quit the Avodart, continue the daily dose of Propecia and expect to retain the same “holding pattern” I have now?

A: If Avodart is helping to maintain the status quo then you can expect to lose some hair, i.e. return to where you would have been if you had used finasteride alone.

Topic: Drugs & Medications

Tags: / / / / /

Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D. at 10:19 am

Which is More Effective Hair Loss Treatment: Minoxidil (Rogaine) or Finasteride (Propecia)?

January 25th, 2007

Q: Will Propecia and Minoxidil reverse some of the miniaturization going on with someone with thinning hair? If I do need a hair transplant will I have to stay on these medications?

A: Yes, both minoxidil (Rogaine) and finasteride (Propecia, Proscar) affect the miniaturization of the hair follicles and help restore the shrunken follicles to cosmetically viable hair.

Minoxidil works by directly simulating miniaturized follicles to grow, whereas finasteride blocks DHT, the hormone that causes hair to miniaturize and eventually fall out.

Finasteride is much more effective than minoxidil in preventing or reversing the miniaturization process and it is so much more convenient to use that we generally suggest finasteride after a hair restoration procedure, but rarely recommend minoxidil.

Topic: Drugs & Medications

Tags: / / / / / / / / / /

Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D. at 4:26 am

Can Hair Loss Increase During First Four Months of Treatment with Propecia?

January 19th, 2007

Q: I am a 22 yr. old male and have been on Propecia for exactly 4 months. When I started taking the medication, I was in the beginning stages of hair thinning/loss in the front and crown areas, with no change in my hair line. During the time I have taken Propecia, my hair loss has increased drastically. Is it that I just have to bite the bullet and am one of the few unlucky individuals that do not respond to Propecia? Could it be that I am taking the medication incorrectly? Wrong time of day? With or without food? Or, do I just need to give it more time? Is there still a chance I could at least regain the hair I’ve lost over these past 4 months?

A: You are probably experiencing an accelerated phase of hair loss that is possibly made worse by the finasteride. The shedding from finasteride is common during the first few months of treatment and is temporary. The full effects of Propecia are not seen for 6 to 12 months.

I would continue to take the medication for at least a year before you judge if it is working. It does not matter the time of day or relationship to food.

Topic: Drugs & Medications

Tags: / / / / / / /

Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D. at 4:44 pm



Pages: Â«Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next»


© 2009 Bernstein Medical, P.C. All Rights Reserved.