Combining Minoxidil and Finasteride

Hi Dr. Rassman:

Could you please summarize the findings of scientific studies that examine the effect of combining Minoxidil and Propecia?

I’ve been using Propecia for about a month, and am considering also taking Minoxidil. I’m a 26 year old male, and ONLY have baldness near my forehead.

Thank you

An animal study done on monkeys in 1992 has shown that finasteride and minoxidil have additive effect on density of the hair. Human comparisons are speculative. I would suggest that you run out the course of 1 year on finasteride before adding minoxidil. This way you will know what the effect is, answering your own question.

Reference: Hair growth effects of oral administration of finasteride, a steroid 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, alone and in combination with topical minoxidil in the balding stumptail macaque. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1992 Feb;74(2):345-50. Diani AR, Mulholland MJ, Shull KL, Kubicek MF, Johnson GA, Schostarez HJ, Brunden MN, Buhl AE.