Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Finasteride & Minoxidil

The two scientifically-proven drugs for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) are Finasteride (oral medication) and Minoxidil (topical lotion to be applied to the scalp directly).
Finasteride is marketed as Proscar, Propecia, Fincar, Finpecia, Finax, Finast, Finara, Finalo, Prosteride, Gefina, Finasterid IVAX, Finasterid Alternova. The more common forms here: Propecia and Proscar have slight differences in strength: Propecia has 1 mg of finasteride, while Proscar has 5 mg per tablet. It is common to procure Proscar and divide the tablets into 4 equal quarters to consume in lieu of consuming 1 tablet of Propecia.

Finasteride works to lower the amount of a male hormone called Dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, that can be found in your bloodstream and also in the skin near your scalp. DHT reduces the size of hair follicles in the scalp. By reducing the concentration of DHT, you can stop the balding in its tracks. In addition, you may be able to regain some of the hair that you lost.

Women of child bearing age should not use this drug due to the severely damaging effects it can have on unborn male fetuses.

Minoxidil is marketed and packaged differently as Regaine and Rogaine, which are exactly the same product (5% Minoxidil). Minoxidil works by increasing the supply of blood and nutrients to your hair follicles, helping to strengthen existing hair and stimulate secondary growth. This process produces thicker, longer, more-visible hair.

There is another brand of hair loss control shampoo called Pregaine. As you can see, the terminology of hair loss control drugs and shampoos is mind-boggling!

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