Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Finasteride Propecia Hair Loss Drug - Answers To Frequently Asked Questions

By Mike Jones

Finasteride Propecia is one of only two prescription drugs approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to combat hair loss. Originally Finasteride was used for prostate enlargement in men over 50.

Then in January 1998 the FDA approved Finasteride Propecia 1 mg per day for the treatment of hair loss in men. As with any prescription drug, there can be limitations and side effects.

Browse this FAQ page to get a basic understanding of how Finasteride Propecia works for hair loss and decide whether you will consult your doctor about the possibility of getting a prescription.

Just exactly what is Finasteride Propecia?

Finasteride for hair loss is a non-addictive oral medication manufactured by Merck & Co. Inc. under the name Propecia. Each film coated tablet contains 1 mg of Finasteride and it may be taken with or without food. Just swallow it with a glass of water.

Who is Finasteride Propecia intended for?

Men only! Women and children should not take this drug.

Additionally, pregnant women or women who might be pregnant should not handle broken or crushed tablets of Finasteride Propecia to avoid the risk of causing abnormalities in a male baby's sex organs.

Men who are experiencing hair loss on the crown of the head or in the mid-scalp area may benefit from Finasteride Propecia. At present there is no evidence to prove it is effective for a receeding hairline or for hair loss on the sides of the head around the temples.

How soon can I expect to see results?

Taking 1 tablet per day (it makes no difference if the dose is increased) results are often seen within 3 to 6 months, namely, a slowing down or stopping of hair loss, and an increased hair density.

Do I have to keep taking Finasteride Propecia?

If you want to maintain the benefit of using this drug then continued use is recommended. It is possible you can lose the hair you gain 9 to 12 months after you stop taking the drug.

What results can I expect?

Results obviously vary from person to person. Many men note a slowing down of hair loss after taking Finasteride Propecia and an increase in the number of visible scalp hairs, although it seems you will not be able to grow back all hair you have lost by taking this drug.

Clinical studies showed that after two years approximately 8 out of 10 men either kept their hair or grew more. 17% of the 1,553 men involved in the test continued to lose hair.

How does Finasteride Propecia work?

The medication causes a significant drop in DHT levels in both the scalp and the blood. DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is one of the main culprits in causing hair loss. Finasteride Propecia blocks the conversion of the male hormone testosterone into DHT.

What are the side effects of Finasteride Propecia?

About 3.8% of the men involved in clinical trials experienced some form of sexual dysfunction. As the percentage indicates, the likelihood is uncommon and the side effects disappeared within a few weeks once the medication was stopped.

The side effects become apparent before the user notices any improvement in hair growth. This is important to note as there is no risk of losing any hair gained through stopping the medication.

From the information presented above it can be seen that the decision to use Finasteride Propecia to combat hair loss must be thought out carefully.

On the negative side, there is a small risk of sexual dysfunction and the medication has to be taken indefinitely to maintain any improvement in hair growth.

On the positive side, there is a high chance this medication will make a difference to hair loss and the chances of re-growth.

Consult with your doctor and see whether he feels you would be a good candidate for Finasteride Propecia!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Jones

______________________________
Buy Propecia $0.67 per pill

1 comment: