Propecia Review

Propecia was actually developed approximately 20 years ago as an agent to prevent prostate cancer in men.  The drug was called Proscar at the time, and the active ingredient was finasteride.

Finasteride was found to help inhibit the formation of the male hormone, DHT, which is a leading cause of prostate cancer.  Men who took the drug found that they also experienced a ceasation of hair loss and even regrowth in lost hair while taking the pill.  As research later discovered, male pattern baldness is also an effect of hair follicle shrinkage due to DHT.  The DHT inhibiting effect of finasteride allowed hair follicles in men to continue growing at their normal pace.

Merck & Co., the maker of Proscar, began producing smaller doses of the drug and sold it as Propecia as a method to combate hair loss.

Benefits of Propecia

Propecia is mainly used to counteract the effects of hair loss and prevent further loss.  As mentioned, finasteride in Propecia is a DHT prohibitor, which allows hair follicles to continue a normal hair growth cycle.  In some cases, hair follicles which had previously stopped hair growth may begin growing agian.

Propecia has a good rate of success, with about 48% of patients successfully keeping existing hair and preventing further loss.  Studies also show that 2 out of 3 men say they observe noticable hair count increase.

Method of Treatment

Propecia is a prescription drug only for males over 18 and must be prescribed by a physician.  The drug is taken once daily as a pill in typical doses of 1 mg.  The pill must be taken for as long as the patient wishes to prevent further hair loss, which may be for a lifetime.

Costs of Proepcia

As mentioned, Propecia must be taken for as long as a patient wishes to prevent further hair loss.  Name brand Propecia can be purchased for less than $1 per dose, and generic makers of finasteride sell for about $.30 per dose.

Side Effects

Most side effects of Propecia are temporary and only experienced during the beginning stages of taking the drug when the body is adjusting.  Noticable side effects of users include itching rash, swelling of lips and face.  A smaller percentage, about 2%, experienced sexual disfunction, impotence, and possible breast gland enlargement.  In smaller cases, finasteride has been linked to depression