Avodart and Mixing Shampoos

Hello Dr. Rassman.
Thank you for taking the time to respond. I also wanted to ask you about going on Avodart (Dutasteride) or it’s Generic Dutagen. I have been on Propecia since 1999, and I think it is no longer working. I read Merck’s official report on Propecia’s 5 year efficacy, and it looks like after 5 years Propecia stops growing any hair at all, and it’s ability to keep hair is weakened. Dutasteride appears to block 93% of DHT production, where Propecia can only block 38-45% DHT. Can I get a prescription form you or Dr. McClellan? I am noticing that my “own” non-transplanted hair is thinning, and hopefully the Dutasteride or it’s generic version can stop any more loss.

Also, I am using Nizoral shampoo (Ketoconazole) 2 times a week, and Head and Shoulders shampoo (Pyrithione Zinc) on the other days. Is it safe to mix the Ketoconazole and P. Zinc? A friend told me that the P. Zinc can cause miniaturization of the hair follicle, and mixing the 2 shampoos can have disastrous results. Then on the the other hand, many people on online hair loss forums are saying it is fine to mix the two shampoos. Only using Nizoral 2x a week does not stop my newly acquired incessant itching. It would be great if I knew it was safe to use Ketoconazole and P.Zinc.

Thank you so much for you time, I’m sure you hear all these worries all of the time. Now that I see my new hair sprouting, I want to keep it growing, and keep or grow more of my own.

Here is a link to some of my other posts with my comments on Avodart. I will make a decision with regards to prescribing Avodart in early September, after I return from the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery meetings in Sydney, Australia.

With regard to the various questions you had concerning the shampoos you mentioned, I really do not know the answer, as many people respond differently to each. Experiment with each and when you find something working, then stick to it. Mixing shampoos should not be a problem.