Do Propecia And Finasteride Work For Hair Regrowth?

On December 22, 1997, the FDA finally approved Propecia for
treating hair loss in male candidates. This approval made
Propecia the first FDA approved treatment for male hair
loss that comes in pill form. The basics of Propecia are as
follows:

The active ingredient that is causing the hair regrowth in
Propecia is finasteride. Finasteride was first approved and
used in 1992 as Proscar. Proscar is a treatment used for
prostate enlargement. Proscar helps suppress the formation
of DHT which is the hormone thought to cause the increase
in size. By treating an enlarged prostate with Proscar, the
need for surgery was reduced.

There is 1 mg of finasteride in Propecia (for the purpose
of hair growth) and 5 mg in Proscar (for treating prostrate
enlargement). While treating patients for prostate
enlargement, it was noticed that their was some regrowth of
hair in areas of male pattern hair loss.

Being a little tongue in cheek. Its no comfort to know that
the side effects of one treatment become the basis of
treatment in another.

In further studies, 1 mg of finasteride and demonstrated
hair growth in male pattern hair loss. The number of hairs
(I'm not sure if it was 4 or 6 hairs, just kidding)
increased in the anterior midscalp and vertex.

Patient feed back showed that there was in fact more hair
regrowth with the finasteride treatment versus the sugar
pill. Side effects were infrequent (it was not stated
exactly what infrequent meant) and were related to sexual
function.

That's fantastic! So infrequently, does that mean that I
will attract more of the opposite sex and then not be able
to do anything with that? I'm just saying!

Propecia has not and will not be marketed for women because
it causes birth defects, and the safety and amounts needed
have not been established in women.

But its o.k. apparently for us men because we are
disposable and don't give birth. Any time I see a chemical
that is not advised for women because it can cause birth
defects, I just have to feel that male or not, there is
something going on that shouldn't be.

The FDA's Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory
Committee sat down and had a chat about Propecia. The
committee offered labeling suggestions in the context of an
overall generally favorable discussion. Merck & Co. of West
Point, Pa., produces both Proscar and Propecia.

We all know Merck & Co. track record with lawsuits. Vioxx
and the osteoporosis drug Fosamax are the first that come
to mind. Almost seems to make about as much sense as
trusting Exxon to handle your neighborhood environmental
project.

Make sure that when you start seeking treatments for
hairloss and male pattern baldness that you weigh the pro's
of hair regrowth with the possible health concern cons.

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