Finasteride as a Treatment For Hair Loss
Finasteride is a prescription drug that prevents male
pattern hair loss. It can be noted that testosterone (the most potent
androgenic “male” hormone) that is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is
a prime contributor for hair loss in men. Testosterone, when converted to
DHT, may have multiple effects on the body, affecting the skin, the prostate
and the hair follicles. Finasteride inhibits the enzyme called 5-alpha
reductase that is responsible for regulating this conversion.
Finasteride can also be used as a treatment for Benign
Prostactic Hyperlasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate, which is very common among
men. The same male hormone DHT is responsible for the enlargement of the
prostate. When the prostate becomes too large, it presses against the
urethra, thereby causing problems with urination.
Finasteride is famously marketed under the brands
Proscar (for
Dosage and Intake Procedure
In treating male pattern baldness, the standard
prescription is to take one 1 mg tablet of finasteride daily, which may be
taken with or without food. It may take as long as three to six months of
continuous intake to observe results for hair loss. Finasteride should be
taken at the same time each day to maintain an even level of the drug in the
blood. In case of missed intake, skip the missed dose and follow the regular
schedule. Double dosage of finasteride should not be taken. It should be
noted that finasteride is not a cure to hair loss. Once intake of
finasteride is stopped, hair loss will return.
Precautions
People using finasteride must take it exactly as
prescribed. People with the following conditions should not take finasteride:
·
Pregnant Women. Finasteride
falls under medication Category X, which means that it is a very dangerous
drug during pregnancy and may cause birth defects. Finasteride may also have
unwanted effects when breastfeeding.
·
People
with Liver Problems. Those people
suffering from cirrhosis or liver failure and other liver diseases are
advised not to take this sort of drug. The liver is the organ that filters
anything taken orally, and thus, is responsible for expelling finasteride
from the body once it has performed its task.
In people with liver problems, the finasteride could simply
accumulate in the body to an unhealthy degree.
·
People
with Allergies. People with allergies to certain foods, dyes and
preservatives should check that they are not allergic to finasteride because
it contains inactive components used to make the drug that may cause adverse
reactions.
Side Effects of Finasteride
Most people who use finasteride do not experience side
effects. Negative reactions to finasteride, when they do occur, are usually
minor and can easily be treated. The most common side effects of finasteride
include:
·
decreased sex drive
·
erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence
·
abnormal ejaculation (including decreased
ejaculate amount)
·
breast enlargement
·
depression
·
acne
·
weight gain
There are also some other possible, however rare, side
effects of finasteride that have been reported. These include:
·
testicular pain (may sometimes cause penile
tissue shrinkage and genital numbness)
·
memory problems and “brain fog”
·
non-sexual physical side-effects such as
muscle twitching and stiffness, breast tenderness, unexplained skin rashes
and itching
·
difficulty in breathing and swallowing
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