Hello,
My question in in regards to potential long term side-effects of finasteride/propecia? I was perusing an article on the internet about the possibility of the long term side effect of it. Then a doctor commented in an article that he questioned the prolonged use of finasteride and said something to the effect of “remember phen, fen?” and we don’t know the potential long term side effects of finasteride yet.

So, did this doctor make a “blanket” statement or do we not yet know all we need to know about propecia?

I’m the kind of guy that doesn’t like to take medication unless there’s something “wrong with me”. So is this safe to start taking? I just didn’t like the reference made to phen fen. Thanks in advance.

Does anyone know everything about anything? The answer must be obvious, so even after 13 years on the market, there could still be surprises. They may not be all bad however, as there are always some good that comes out of such medications. In this case, we know that cancer of the prostate risks are reduced with steady use of the finasteride 5mg dose and many experts think that this will spill over with the 1mg dose. Cancer of the prostate and preventing hair loss (or slowing it) should be considered against the down side risks, of course.

We each need to make these judgments, but over and over again I hear men tell me that they WON’T take pills. Just the other day a 28 year old man demanded that I point him to an herbal for preventing hair loss with an emphasis on “certainty” motivating him. As he was demanding my herbal recommendations, I thought, “I am but a poor doctor giving advice, so please be reasonable with such questions.”

Hi there: I was researching Scap Med for my husband and myself and came across your site. I found a few answers where someone had good results and you offered to put before and after pictures on your site. I was wondering did that ever happen and if so, where I can find these pictures? I would also be interested in others who had good results or if you have any other information about Scalp Med and if it works or not thanks!

ScalpMed’s active ingredient is minoxidil (which is available as generic formula or more commonly as Rogaine). It includes extra vitamins and such, but the hair growing component is the same as you can find in any pharmacy but for much less. I don’t recall being sent any before/after photos to post on the site, though.

Hi Doc,
I’ve been on Propecia for 5 1/2 months now for a receding hairline. I’m currently a NW2 and I am moving slowly to a NW3. However, the propecia does not seem to be slowing or stopping the recession at all since I started, so I’m assuming it won’t work past this point anyway. However, the interesting thing is that the propecia has made my hair much coarser than it was before. Prior to taking it, my hair was fine, now it is coarse and curly. If I stop the propecia since it’s not working for the recession, will my hair go back to fine again? Thank You

Propecia does not generally reverse recession or frontal hair loss. At best, it slows it down. At 5 months, you should not expect much change. It does thicken the hair as you are noticing, because it strengthens miniaturized (thinner) hairs. I would assume if you stop Propecia it would make your hair fine again and probably even cause shedding as those “fine” hairs were likely the ones that were going to fall out eventually. This is called “catch up” hair loss. Is it reasonable to say that the coarser hair you are talking about matched the hair on the back of your head? Check that out.

I’ve been using Propecia along with Rogaine for about 4 months now. It’s slow going, but I’m definitely seeing tiny new hairs coming in, in certain areas. I recently came across a product from Perfect Hair Solutions which is a 10% minoxidil and 5% Azelaic Acid solution and decided to order a bottle. From what I hear, result come in more quickly. I’m just trying to figure out why Rogaine hasn’t put out any thing stronger than the 5% and if it would be a side effect issue or not – also, would too high of a strength be damaging to the hair follicle? I was wondering if you can give me your thoughts on this product. Thank you.

More is not necessarily better. The higher concentration of minoxidil (10% or even 15%, for example) runs a greater risk of side effects, including systemic side effects like dangerously low blood pressure, fainting, and skin irritation.

Azelaic acid does not grow hair. It is more of a marketing hype in my opinion, as the thought process is that the acid will irritate the scalp, causing the minoxidil (Rogaine) to be absorbed better. The truth is, either of these medications can cause irritation and when used together the incidence of irritation and dermatitis goes up. The same concept holds when they mix it with Retin-A (which is also an acid).

Hello Doc,
I have been on finasteride 1mg for a year and now I have switched to 1/4 Proscar. It has been working fine but I suspect little decreased libido and thinking to take half dose. I am not sure that taking finasteride 0.5 mg every day is better or taking 1 mg every other day is better or they both have the same effect?

I am asking this based on the fact that finasteride remains in the blood for only 24 hours so it means that if I am taking it alternate days then I am without finasteride for 24 hours. On the other hand, 0.5 mg finasteride is 80% as effective as 1 mg so taking 0.5 mg everyday would give me 80% cover everyday.

That is what my analysis is, but I want your view on this. Thank you very much for help sir!

I tell my patients who have sexual side effects to reduce the dose to one half a pill per day. That keeps levels of the drug in the blood stream most of the time and it should be more effective than 1 pill every other day.

Hi doc,
I’m a 19 year old male and i’ve just started thinning. I say just because i still have a full head of hair and all my friends think i’m crazy but my dad was bald at 25 so… my mum is a pharmacist so she bought me a box of propecia even though i didn’t went to the doctor to get a prescription. i have two questions.

1) Can I take propecia if I take at the same time half a pill of 250mg of lamisil ( for my toes)? I have a liver in really good condition : I did all the tests.
2) I have very small puffy nipples. But very very small ones, my doctor told me it was nothing. can I still take propecia? I have an appointment with and endocrinologist in august for that but I want to start taking propecia as soon as possible.

Cheers from France!

Lamisil should not interact with Propecia.

It shouldn’t be a problem for you to take Propecia due to very small, puffy nipples. I’m not comfortable with you taking prescription medication without a prescription, though. If you saw a doctor about your puffy nipples, why did you not get a prescription for Propecia at that point? If you see any changes in your chest after starting the medication, discuss it with your physician.