Stacking Propecia, Rogaine, and Saw Palmetto

I just started using Propecia. I’ve been using Rogaine for about 5 years, and Saw Palmeto for the last 6 months. Is it safe to use Propecia with Rogaine and Saw Palmeto? Please advise. Thanks

I just returned from the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery conference in Coronado (near San Diego), California this past week. Your question was one of the topics discussed during the meeting.

Saw palmetto is a herb that has been implicated in alleviating urinary flow, which is sometimes associated with enlarged prostate. It has not been scientifically proven to work, but it is a natural herb and consumers take it for whatever benefits it may have. Many people make the link in their minds that saw palmetto could be used in alleviating male pattern hair loss with finasteride 5mg (Proscar) just because it is used for men with enlarged prostate problems. Again, saw palmetto has never been scientifically proven to help with male pattern hair loss and is absolutely not a DHT blocker.

To date, topical minoxidil (Rogaine) and oral finasteride 1mg (Propecia) are the only FDA approved medications for male pattern hair loss. There are some that believe that using the two medications in conjuction may have a synergistic effect, as they have different mechanisms of action. I believe that using minoxidil and Propecia in combination has useful value in some people, but I’d start with one at a time. If you start with both, you will not be sure which one is working best for you, and are committing yourself to a lifetime of multiple medications, when your answer may be just the one.