Restarting Propecia with Only Half-Dose?

Hello,

I am a 25 year old male, and I’ve been experiencing very slow hair loss over the last four years or so. Last August 2009, I decided to finally ask my doctor for a Finasteride prescription for hair loss (5mg cut into 1mg taken once a day).

Over the course of three months, I could tell a noticeable improvement in the way my hair looked and felt as well as a significant decrease in the amount of hair I would see on my hands when showering. Unfortunately, this came at a cost of side effects in the form of decreased sexual drive and weaker erections. I stopped taking Finasteride 1mg in late December 2009 and have since recovered from all side effects.

Given that I was going through high stress at the time (relationship, employment, relocation), I want to be fair to the drug and it’s potential effect on me. Would you recommend restarting daily Finasteride at half the dosage? I realize this would make the drug roughly 80% effective; however, would there also be a chance I see reduced side effects? I’m curious if you’ve seen patients re-start daily use at lower dosages (or remaining at 1mg) with a lack of side effects the second time.

Alas, it could be wishful thinking. It would be a shame as the drug was working great for it’s intended use (my hair).

Thank you!

Thank you for a fair self-assessment of finasteride (Propecia) for the readers out there.

You are right, it may just be a coincidence that you experienced those side effects, as you were going though a lot of stress, but I agree it may have also been the drug’s side effect. Stress itself can cause issues with libido and erectile dysfunction. So to be fair, I would try the full Propecia again and see what happens since the drug was working so well for you in your hair loss battle. If you experience the side effect again, then you can try 1/2 dose. Either way discuss this with your prescribing doctor and good luck!