Propecia
Propecia (finasteride) reduces the production of the androgen Dehydrotestosterone (DHT), the leading cause of hair loss. Men with pattern baldness have follicles that are succeptible to DHT. In these men, DHT shrinks hairs through their lifecycle, a process known as miniaturization, until the follicle no longer produces hair. Propecia inhibits this action, and in some instances regrow your hair. Propecia is the first FDA approved drug for the treatment of male pattern baldness in the vertex (crown) and anterior (mid-scalp). Propecia does not seem to be effective in the frontal hairline or temples. Propecia is available by prescription only. A few weeks to months after taking Propecia, most men experience hair shedding. This shedding is temporary and will resolve in few months.
Propecia works over the long term, and will only continue working for as long as you are taking it. Some men report taking the drug for over a year before seeing benefit. If you stop taking Propecia, you will lose any hair you have gained within 1 year of discontinuation.
Important
Propecia is for the treatment of male pattern baldness and should never be used by women or children. Women who are or may become pregnant, must not handle the drug. Absorption of the active ingredient may cause birth defects in male sex organs. Because the drug is carried in the blood, men taking Propecia should not donate blood while on the drug and for a 3 months after discontinued use.
Read more about Propecia.
Proscar
Proscar is a drug approved for the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), its active ingredient, finasteride, is the same ingredient contained in Propecia. Proscar is often prescribed for male pattern baldness because of its similarities to Propecia, though prescribing it this way is an off-label use. Proscar comes in 5mg tablets, whereas Propecia is in 1mg tablets. Because of this, doctors sometimes prescribe Proscar to save their patients money. Patients need only quarter the pill with a pill cutting device to equal a regular dosage of Propecia.
Important
Proscar should never be used by women or children. Women who are or may become pregnant, must not handle the drug. Absorption of the active ingredient may cause birth defects in male sex organs. Because the drug is carried in the blood, men taking Proscar should not donate blood while on the drug and for a 3 months after discontinued use.
Read more about Proscar.
Avodart
Avodart (Dutasteride) is prescribed to men for the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Doctors often prescribe it “off-label” for treatment of male pattern baldness. Dutasteride belongs to the same group of drugs as Finasteride, 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. 5-alpha-reductase converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is known to cause male pattern baldness.
Important
Avodart should never be used by women or children. Women who are or may become pregnant, must not handle the drug. Absorption of the active ingredient may cause birth defects in male sex organs. Because the drug is carried in the blood, men taking Avodart should not donate blood while on the drug and for a 3 months after discontinued use.
Read more about Avodart.
Rogaine
Rogaine (Minoxidil) is a drug used to regrow hair in the vertex (crown). Rogaine is marketed as Rogaine, Regaine, and Mintop, and Loniten. Originally, Minoxidil was marketed as the drug Loniten, a vasodilator used to treat high blood pressure. A side effect of taking the drug was increased hair growth or thickening or darkening of fine body hairs. As a result, the drug was then marketed in a 2% solution as a hair regrowth drug. The mechanism that makes Minoxidil grow hair is unknown, though it is thought to allow more nutrients to reach the follicle by widening blood vessels and opening potassium channels. Minoxidil is more effective in small areas of hair loss and is more effective in younger men (18-41).
Minoxidil is applied topically, once or twice daily, as a foam or ointment. Minoxidil, like Propecia, Proscar, and Avodart, only works for as long as you are using it.
Minoxidil is available in a 2% solution for women. In some countries, the 2% solution is available without a prescription.
Important
Minoxidil is highly toxic to cats and may cause death if ingested by a cat.
Read more about Rogaine.
