Propecia - Use as a treatment for hair loss

In a study of 5-year to men with mild to moderate hair loss, 48% of those treated with Propecia (finasteride 1mg) experienced some regrowth of hair, and another 42% had no further loss. Average hair count in the treatment group remained above baseline, and has shown an increasing difference from hair count in the placebo group, for all five years of study. [10] Propecia is effective only as long as it is received; hair gained or maintained is lost within 6-12 months off therapy. [11] In clinical studies, Propecia, like minoxidil, was shown to work on both sides of the crown area, hairline, [12], but is most successful in the crown.

Some users, in an effort to save money, buy Proscar instead of Propecia, and split the Proscar pills to approximate the Propecia dosage. Doing so is generally considered unadvisable if women of pregnancy age are in the family; this is because finasteride, even in small concentrations, can cause birth defects in a developing male fetus. The birth defects related to the development of male genitalia (no such effects were observed in the development of female fetuses). In most product inserts, it will be mentioned that the dust or crumbs from broken Proscar tablets should be kept away from pregnant women.

Propecia has been shown to be ineffective for treating hair loss in women. [Quote needed] However, Propecia's supporters respond that the study was post-menopausal women whose hair loss was more likely related to loss of estrogen versus a sensitivity to testosterone. Many doctors prescribe it for women, but not without either careful birth control measures or assurance that the woman can not become pregnant.

Generic Propecia

Merck's patent on Finasteride (for the treatment of BPH) expired on June 19, 2006. [1] Merck was awarded a special license for the use of Finasteride to treat Male pattern Baldness. This patent is set to expire in November 2013. [2]

Some companies outside the U.S. currently manufacture generic finasteride and sell it at a lower cost than Merck:

* Ajanta Pharma (trade name Appecia)
* Aleppo Pharmaceutical (trade name Prosteride)
* Cipla (trade names Fincar and Finpecia)
* Dr. Reddy's (trade names Finax and Finast)
* Intas Pharmaceuticals (trade name Finalo)
* Ranbaxy (trade name Finara)

Finasteride Brand Names - Propecia

The drug trade names include Propecia and Proscar, both products of Merck & Co. (the former is marketed for hair loss male pattern baldness, and the latter for BPH). There is 1 mg of finasteride in Propecia and 5 mg in Proscar.

Finasteride Propecia Proscar Hair Loss Medication

Finasteride (marketed as Proscar, Propecia, Fincar, Finpecia, Finax, Finast, Finara, Finalo, Prosteride, Gefina, Appecia, Finasterid IVAX, Finasterid Alternova) is a synthetic antiandrogen which acts prevents type II 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is used as a good treatment in prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in low doses, and prostate cancer in higher doses. A May 2008 study indicates that Finasteride reduces the rate of prostate cancer by 30% (see below). It is also indicated for use in combination with doxazosin therapy to reduce the risk for symptomatic progression of BPH. In addition, it is registered in many countries for androgenetic alopecia (male-pattern baldness).

Finasteride was approved initially in 1992 as Proscar, a treatment for prostate enlargement, but the sponsor had studied 1 mg of finasteride and demonstrated hair growth in male pattern hair loss. On December 22, 1997, the U.S. administration of food and drug approved finasteride to treat male pattern hair loss.