My Doctor Prescribed Me Avodart When I Expected Propecia

Hi Doctor William Rassman. I was on a forum called hairloss talk, asking a question regarding my situation, and most of the users there told me to email and ask Doctor Rassman, as you are very prominent and reputable in hair restoration.

I recently visited my dermatologist regarding my hairloss, and after checking my hair he said I am showing signs of AGA, and said if I don’t treat it it will progress. From my research on the net, I figured he will put me on propecia. In fact he put me on avodart. When I told him its not fda approved for hairloss, and propecia is he said avodart is better and brings DHT down more, and propecia is nothing next to avodart. He told me to take it everyday for 2 weeks, then every other day from then on as it has a long half life. From researching on the net, many hair restoration doctors, rarely prescribe avodart for hairloss due to some dangers. whats your opinion on this?

I would love to come see you, but I live in Canada. do you think I should go see another doctor and get propecia? do you prescribe avodart to your patients? or propecia? in fact is avodart that much better than propecia?

Thanks doc, I would really appreciate a reply on your opinion. I know medical advice is not given over the net, but I just want your master opinion.

Propecia (finasteride) is still the right drug of choice in this situation mainly due to the FDA approval, and the lower side effect frequency than Avodart (dutasteride). I have prescribed Avodart in select cases before, but usually only to poor responders to Propecia.

I don’t know where the dosage info your doctor came up with comes from (14 days of daily use, then every other day), as the dosage for hair loss treatment hasn’t been clearly defined. Avodart does have a long half life, so if you do experience side effects they will take much longer than Propecia would to leave your system. If you’re concerned about the prescription your doctor gave you, you can talk to another doctor for a second opinion.