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 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: 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 [...]

Q: My friend is taking Avodart, he bought it over the internet. Is it safe to take? A: Avodart (dutasteride 0.5mg) was approved by the FDA for the treatment of prostate enlargement in men in 2002. Avodart has not been approved for the treatment of androgenetic hair loss, although physicians can use an approved medication [...]

Q: I have a 19-year-old son who is suffering from hair loss. I wonder if that will affect him in years to come if he starts taking it? A: Finasteride was approved in 1992 as Proscar and as Propecia in 1997, so there is a lot of clinical data so far. Remember that over time, [...]