|
 |
|
Operating Hours:
M-F 9-6pm EST |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
quick search:
over 10,000 products
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finasteride (Propecia ®) - How it works
In male pattern baldness there is a miniaturization of hairs in the mid-line of the scalp and a
recession of the hair on the front of the scalp. In a study of hair follicles from bald and non bald
areas, it was found that a hormone called dihydrotestosterone or DHT is much higher in the follicles
found in the bald areas of the scalp than in the areas with hair.
The hormone DHT is produced in these hair follicles from normally circulating testosterone.
There is an enzyme in the hair follicle that converts testosterone to DHT. This enzyme is
called 5 alpha-reductase.
It is possible to lower the amount of DHT in the hair follicle cells and restore normal hair growth.
This is done by preventing the conversion of testosterone to DHT. This can be accomplished using a
drug called finasteride.
The evidence for higher levels of DHT in bald areas compared with non-bald areas comes from a research
paper by Dallob. In this study the effects of the 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, finasteride, on scalp
skin testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels were studied in patients with male pattern
baldness. In a double blind study, male patients undergoing hair transplantation were treated with
oral finasteride (5 mg/day) or placebo for 28 days. Scalp skin biopsies were obtained before and after
treatment for measurement of T and DHT by high pressure liquid chromatography-RIA. In 10 male subjects
studied at baseline, mean (+/- SEM) DHT levels were significantly higher in the bald
scalp (7.37 +/- 1.24 pmol/g) compared to hair-containing (4.20 +/- 0.65 pmol/g) scalp, whereas there
was no difference in mean T levels at baseline. In the bald scalps from 8 patients treated with
finasteride, the mean DHT concentration decreased from 6.40 +/- 1.07 pmol/g at baseline
to 3.62 +/- 0.38 pmol/g on day 28. Scalp T levels increased in 6 of 8 subjects treated with
finasteride. Finasteride decreased the mean serum DHT concentration from 1.36 +/- 0.18 nmol/L (n = 8)
at baseline to 0.46 +/- 0.10 nmol/L on day 28 but had no effect on serum T. There were no significant
changes in scalp or serum T or DHT in placebo-treated patients. Lowering DHT in the bald areas of the
scalp is not the same as showing hair growth. Evidence for finasteride treatment resulting in new hair
growth comes from information presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology
in 1997. In a study involving 1,553 men, 1 mg finasteride daily was an effective treatment for male
pattern baldness.
Improvements were seen at three months and continued over the 12 months of therapy. Clinical
investigators rated 65% of treated men as having increased hair growth, compared with 37% of placebo
treated men. A panel of independent dermatologists, who reviewed before and after photographs of
patients, rated 48% of the treated patients as having increased hair growth but only 7% of
placebo-treated patients showed hair growth.
Reported side effects were as follows:
| Side Effects |
Finasteride |
Placebo |
| decreased libido |
1.8% |
1.3% |
| difficulty achieving erection |
1.3% |
0.7% |
| decreased semen |
0.8% |
0.4% |
A prescription is required. Talk to our pharmacists for details.
References:
The effect of finasteride, a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, on scalp skin testosterone and dihydrotestosterone concentrations in patients with male pattern baldness.
Dallob AL, Sadick NS, Unger W, Lipert S, Geissler LA, Gregoire SL, Nguyen HH, Moore EC, Tanaka WKÉ J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1994 Sep;79(3):703-6
Propecia promising for hair loss. Scrip N2226 April 25th 1997 page 24.
Drug may prevent hair loss in men, study finds. Wallace Immen; Globe and Mail August 2, 1997.
Questions & Answers
1. How can I get finasteride?
You need to see your family doctor for a prescription.
2. How much does it cost?
The cost of finasteride can be found in the Drug Cost Calculator
3. What are the side effects.
The side effects are few and mild. About 1 to 2 patients per 100 treated have a loss of libido. Other side affects include: 1.3% difficulty achieving an erection and 0.8% had a decrease in semen. A few patients experience skin rashes or allergic reactions.
Finasteride should not be taken by women.
4. Do women ever have male pattern baldness?
Yes women can also exhibit the male baldness pattern. This is usually due to excessive amounts of testosterone. Causes of high levels of testosterone such as ovarian tumors must be ruled out.
5. Are there other causes of baldness?
Yes. Baldness can be caused by fungal infections, HIV infections, hypo and hyper thyroidism, lupus, syphilis, nutritional deficiencies and some drugs. In these cases the hair loss is not the typical male pattern baldness.
6. Is finasteride for hairloss covered by extended health insurance?
Some insurance companies are covering the cost of prescriptions for finasteride 1 mg. You need to check with your insurer. The Ontario Drug Benefit Plan does not provide finasteride as a benefit.
Propecia ® is a registered trademark of Merck & Co., Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| home |
prescriptions |
non-prescription medicine |
vitamins, herbals & nutrition |
personal care |
|
allergy medicine |
excessive sweating|
arthritis |
smoking cessation |
hair loss |
back pain |
medical tests |
|
|
311 Sherbourne St, Toronto, On M5A 3Y1 1-416-960-7768 OCP Accreditation number 17533, owner is Central Medical Pharmacy Inc. Designated manager is Veronique Koo, B Sc Phm. Pharmacists are available for counselling during operating hours.
The information provided on our site is for general information purposes only and is not intended to qualify, supplement or replace that of your medical professional. Your doctor or healthcare giver should undertake diagnosing and treating your medical condition.
[c] © 1999 PurePharm Inc.
All rights reserved
Copyright and Legal Disclaimer.
|
|
