Propecia is the only FDA-approved drug that treats male pattern baldness on the top of the head and the front middle area of the head (known to doctors as the vertex and the mid-scalp). Propecia’s effectiveness with balding at the temple areas is not proven, but you can count on it for the vertex and mid-scalp. The thing about Propecia is: it’s famous, and it has a pretty good track record for helping men grow their hair back over a long period of time. In other words, Propecia sounds familiar to you for good reason.
Product Ingredients
The generic name for Propecia is finasteride (fih NAH steh ride). Its other brand name is Proscar.
Propecia works to prevent testosterone from converting into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on the scalp. DHT causes the body to shrink hair follicles to the point where they can no longer produce hair. Besides family history, DHT is science’s top reason for hair loss. By blocking the formation of DHT, Propecia keeps more follicles open for hair production business. This should help stop further hair loss and even help regrow hair that’s been thinning.
Directions for use of Propecia
You need a prescription to take Propecia. When you visit with your doctor and ask about this drug, you need to determine a few things before starting Propecia:
Tell your doctor if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to this medication. Also, if you’ve ever had a reaction to a drug called Avodart, you should tell your doctor that—it’s similar to Propecia. You also need to tell your doctor if you have: liver disease or abnormal liver enzyme tests; prostate cancer; bladder muscle disorder; stricture of the urethra; or trouble urinating.
Once your doctor prescribes Propecia, you should follow the doctor’s instructions for you, which will probably include: taking one tablet per day, with or without food. If you forget to take the pill one day, don’t take an extra one the next day—just continue on your normal schedule.
Cost
The cost of Propecia varies, since you have to get it from a pharmacy. Look at your pharmacy, or at online pharmacies, to find out how much it would cost for you.
Side Effects
Most of Propecia’s side effects are pretty rare—otherwise it would never sell, right?—but they should all be considered as possibilities when taking Propecia:
· Feeling faint, like you might pass out
· Swelling in the hands or feet
· Testicular pain
· Impotence, loss of libido, or trouble having an orgasm
· Abnormal ejaculation
· Swelling or tenderness in the breasts
· Dizziness or weakness
· Headache
· Runny nose
· Skin rash
You should consider it an emergency if you experience: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. You are probably having an allergic reaction. Also, get help immediately if you notice breast lumps, have pain in your breasts, or nipple discharge. These could mean you have male breast cancer.
A really important thing to know about Propecia is that it is really dangerous for anyone besides men. Even handling the tablets can expose you to finasteride, which can be absorbed through the skin and cause birth defects. So women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should steer clear of the pills—even of touching them. The same goes for children.
Effectiveness of Propecia
It can take up to a year for you to know for sure if Propecia is not working. It will take at least three months. If after twelve months you still notice no difference, you should stop taking Propecia.
Conclusion
Again, there’s a reason Propecia is so well-known. It’s a pretty safe bet that using this medication responsibly will help you maintain and regrow your hair. The big word there, though, is “responsibly.” Because of Propecia’s possible side effects, and especially because of its danger to the other people that might be in your household, you have to make sure your doctor approves, and that your Propecia is kept safe and sound at all times. That way, it can do nothing but help you! Happy growing!
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