Hair Restoration

About Finasteride Rx Pills

The most common form of balding is male pattern hair loss, representing close to 95% of all hair loss cases. Mild to moderate male pattern hair loss affects about half of men by age 50. This type of hair loss results in a receding hairline and/or balding at the crown. It is due to heredity, from either the mother’s or father’s side of the family, and is dependent on hormones. Finasteride (Propecia) is the first and only FDA-approved pill proven to treat male pattern hair loss on the vertex (top of head) and anterior mid-scalp area in men.

Benefits

• Finasteride (Propecia) can slow the loss of hair in men
• Finasteride (Propecia) can increase hair growth in men

Alternatives

Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation
Rogaine Solution

How Does It Work?

The causes of hair loss are not well defined; however, researchers have found that men with male pattern hair loss have increased levels of DHT in the balding area of their scalps. DHT is one of many male hormones in the body. DHT is developmentally important early in a man’s life; however, it appears to be a cause of hair loss as men get older. DHT shrinks the hair follicle until it no longer produces visible hair.

Human hair normally follows a cycle of growth, falling out, and new growth. But increased levels of DHT are believed to contribute to the shortening of the growth phase, and a shortening of the time it takes for the hair to fall out. This results in thinning of the hair on the scalp.

Science has found a way to affect DHT with a prescription taken once a day in tablet form: Finasteride (Propecia), the active ingredient in Finasteride (Propecia) blocks the formation of DHT and, in this way, appears to interrupt a key factor in the development of inherited male pattern hair loss in men. Finasteride (Propecia) has been proven to effectively lower DHT in the scalp.

Who is Candidate?

Men with male pattern baldness may be candidates. Women and children are not candidates for Finasteride (Propecia).

What can I Expect?

The fact is, for most men, Finasteride (Propecia) works. Most men reported an increase in the amount of hair, a decrease in hair loss, and an improvement in appearance. The results of two years of clinical testing* showed favorable results for the vast majority of men on Finasteride (Propecia).

• 5 of 6 men kept the amount of hair they had (vs. 28% with a sugar pill)
• 2 of 3 men regrew some hair (vs. 7% with a sugar pill)
• 80% were rated improved by doctors (vs. 47% with sugar pill)

*Based on vertex studies at two years of men aged 18 to 41 with mild to moderate hair loss. There is no evidence that Finasteride (Propecia) works for receding hairlines at the temples. Take Finasteride (Propecia) daily and you could see results in as little as three months. If you stop taking Finasteride (Propecia), however, your results will gradually go away over 12 months. And if it has not worked in 12 months, it is unlikely to be of benefit. Finasteride (Propecia) is available by prescription only, so the best thing to do is talk to our medical staff for more information.

Results may vary.

Safety & Side Effects

Clinical tests showed Finasteride (Propecia) was very well tolerated. Only a very small number of men had sexual side effects, with each occurring in less than 2% of men. They included less desire for sex, difficulty in achieving an erection, and a decrease in the amount of semen. When the men who had these side effects stopped taking Finasteride (Propecia), the side effects went away. Finasteride (Propecia) is for men only. Women who are or may potentially be pregnant must not use Finasteride (Propecia) because of the risk that the active ingredient may cause a specific kind of birth defect. Likewise, women should avoid handling tablets that are crushed or broken. Finasteride (Propecia) tablets are coated to prevent contact with the active ingredient during normal handling.

Recovery Time

None.

Does it Hurt?

No. This is a medication take orally.

Before Treatment Instructions

See prescribing provider for more information.

After Treatment Instructions

See prescribing provider for more information.

Who Writes the Prescription?

Our Physicians and Physician Assistants