Q: Are there DHT blockers that are sold in the pharmacy over the counter? A: The only effective DHT blockers are finasteride (Propecia, Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart). These medications require a doctor’s prescription and are not sold OTC. Nizoral is a topical shampoo for seborrhea (a type of dandruff) that is sold over the counter, [...]

Q: I heard that there is a new drug on the market called Avodart for prostate enlargement which might help with hair loss as it blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT better than Finasteride and is more effective than Propecia. Do you recommend taking it and if so what is the dose? A: I [...]

Q: I have been using Propecia since it was released to the public in 1998 and have found it to work very well. Recently, its effectiveness has stopped and my hairs are miniaturizing again. I am going to increase the dosage to 1/2 a pill Proscar every day. How long will the increased dosage take [...]

Q: I am suffering from male patterned baldness. I used Propecia a couple of months ago but had the sexual side effects from it so I stopped. I’ve recently gone back to using Propecia but I was just wondering how I avoid the side effects. Can Propecia be used every other day and still be effective. Also, do the side effects disappear if I continue to use it and how long does it take?

A: Yes, on both accounts. Alternate day therapy may decrease the side effects and still be effective in treating hair loss. The sexual side effects usually take a week or two to disappear after stopping the medication.

Q: I’m male, early thirties and in the early stages of hair loss, too early for hair transplants. I am experiencing extreme shedding. I took Avodart for 6 weeks, but because of the shedding I stopped. Now, it still continues as strong as ever. I’ve been losing about 200 hairs every day in the shower. [...]