I Changed My Finasteride Dose Based on What I Read Here and Saw an Increase in Hair Loss
Hi Dr. Rassman,
I am 19 years old and have been on Proscar for the last year. My hair loss has begun quite slowly but it is somewhat noticeable around the temple area. Obviously it is hard to tell just how much hair I have saved or whether it has slowed the progression at all. However, in the past few weeks I have altered my dosage and believe it has caused a slight increase in hair loss.Originally my doctor suggested a 5mg pill cut in half and taken every second day, but after reading your answers here about how long the pill lasts in the system I reassessed with the doctor and decided on a 5mg pill cut into four and taken every day. Seeing as this only changed three weeks ago, do you think it is purely coincidental?
If there is one thing I want all readers to understand it’s that you need to establish a relationship with YOUR doctor, and obtain and resolve your medical issues with them. I’m glad you talked to your doctor before changing the dosing, but if you do have issues you should contact that doctor for his/her take on it.
In general, Propecia (finasteride 1mg) taken every day is used for the treatment of androgenic alopecia (genetic male pattern hair loss). Many men cut the generic finasteride 5mg into four parts (since cutting it in 5 equal pieces is very difficult). Other doctors may have their own opinion and treatment regimen, but the recommended dose is finasteride 1mg taken every day.
Finally, it takes several months before you see any effects (benefits) from finasteride. I occasionally read emails and comments where someone notices some change in their hair (loss or gain) after several days or weeks, but that is unlikely. So what you’re seeing may just be coincidental.
The best initial course of action is to take drugs according to the product label, which reflects dosing that the safety and efficacy results are based on. Finasteride is approved based on studies showing benefit from 1 mg daily. While Ii dont know the rationale behibd the initially suggested dose of the poster,, there is zero data on the safety and efficacy profile of chronic use of finasteride 2.5 mg every other day for alopecia.
plus it makees completely no sense in taking finasteride more than 1mg for hairloss. in the studies merck used finasteride even up to 80mg, and it brought DHT down to the same level as 1mg. increasing the dose for 1mg for hairloss will have no affect. people should always take the standard 1mg when it comes to hairloss, and its the safest and effective. why take more by increaasing chances of side affects
2.5 every other day is not a large dose per se and it is smaller than what is used for BPH; my biggest concern was the lack of clinical trial data showing that this regimen (2.5 every other day) is effective; this ‘alternate” regimen is also not consistent with the drug’s pharmacokinetics (mean terminal drug half-life is approximately 5-6 hours in men 18-60 years of age and 8 hours in men more than 70 years of age).
true say bio tech. The best thing anyone can do for hailoss is just take the standard 1mg dose of finasteride. taking more will do NOTHING. Just look at the studies. if 80mg of finasteride brings DHT levels to about the same level of 1mg, then why take more than 1mg? I dont understand the thought process of why some do it. some up it becuase they feel its loses effectiveness. IT doesnt. the 10 year study proved it still works. always stick to 1mg people.