Propecia

Propecia effects and price

Propecia is a brand name for Finasteride, an anti androgen drug. An anti androgen or androgen antagonist drug is capable of preventing or inhibiting the biological effects of androgens, male sex hormones produced by the testes. Finasteride inhibits type II 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT or dihydrotestosterone. DHT is an androgen and three times more potent than testosterone. While DHT is crucial for mitigating the effects of estrogens (female sex hormones), it is also known to be the major cause for prostate problems and male pattern baldness. Since Finasteride inhibits the action of DHT, it is used for treating and halting the progress of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer and androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness. It was approved by the FDA in 1997 as a prescription drug for hair loss treatment. The brand is owned by Merck.

The patent of Finasteride has expired and you can get generic Propecia at a discounted price. Independent studies report that in 48% of the cases Finasteride resulted in some regrowth of hair. In 42% of the cases hair loss was stopped. Finasteride treatment is a long term therapy. The effects continue for as long as you keep taking the drug. Once stopped the hair gained or maintained are lost within six to twelve months. Finasteride has also been shown to be ineffective in treating hair loss in women. Moreover, women should take it only if they do not plan to get pregnant and that too on the advice of a doctor.

While Propecia effects on hair growth are positive unlike the other FDA approved drug, Minoxidil. Minoxidil is a vasodilator used to treat severe hypertension. One side effect is excessive hairiness so it is also sold as a treatment for male-patterned baldness. Finasteride like Minoxidil works on both the crown area and hairline.

Like all allopathic medications, Finasteride too has side effects. Propecia side effects include erectile dysfunction and in some instances, enlargement of the breast gland. Since it has a short half life of six to eight hours, in trial studies the side effects were seen to cease after discontinuation of the drug.

Propecia price is often a consideration since it has to be taken over long periods. Since the expiry of the patent, generic versions are widely available at a much lesser cost. Generic versions are the exact copy of the branded drug and contain the same active ingredient, Finasteride in this case.

Finasteride is a prescription drug and available only against an eligible prescription. It is available in 1mg. The FDA has been petitioned to review the dosage and reduce it to one fourth due to the long tern effects of the drug. Propecia is a once in a day drug and meant for men only.

Discover propecia. Learn about generic propecia, propecia effects and side effects and compare propecia price with similar medicines on the market.

• Search for:

• Health Information

  • Propecia
  • Hair Restoration
  • Hair Pulling
  • Scalp Ringworm
  • Hair Regrowth For Men
  • Hair Transplants
  • Balding
  • Baldness
  • Hair Loss In Women
  • Hair Loss Treatment
  • Alopecia Areata

• Health Research

  • National alopecia areata treatment