| On December 22, 1997, the FDA finally | | | | treatment versus the sugar pill. Side effects |
| approved Propecia for treating hair loss in | | | | were infrequent (it was not stated exactly |
| male candidates. Does it work and is it safe? | | | | what infrequent meant) and were related to |
| | | | sexual function. |
| On December 22, 1997, the FDA finally | | | | |
| approved Propecia for treating hair loss in | | | | That's fantastic! So infrequently, does that |
| male candidates. This approval made Propecia | | | | mean that I will attract more of the opposite |
| the first FDA approved treatment for male | | | | sex and then not be able to do anything with |
| hair loss that comes in pill form. The basics | | | | that? I'm just saying! |
| of Propecia are as follows: | | | | |
| | | | Propecia has not and will not be marketed for |
| The active ingredient that is causing the | | | | women because it causes birth defects, and |
| hair regrowth in Propecia is finasteride. | | | | the safety and amounts needed have not been |
| Finasteride was first approved and used in | | | | established in women. |
| 1992 as Proscar. Proscar is a treatment used | | | | |
| for prostate enlargement. Proscar helps | | | | But its o.k. apparently for us men because we |
| suppress the formation of DHT which is the | | | | are disposable and don't give birth. Any |
| hormone thought to cause the increase in | | | | time I see a chemical that is not advised for |
| size. By treating an enlarged prostate with | | | | women because it can cause birth defects, I |
| Proscar, the need for surgery was reduced. | | | | just have to feel that male or not, there is |
| | | | something going on that shouldn't be. |
| There is 1 mg of finasteride in Propecia (for | | | | |
| the purpose of hair growth) and 5 mg in | | | | The FDA's Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs |
| Proscar (for treating prostrate enlargement). | | | | Advisory Committee sat down and had a chat |
| While treating patients for prostate | | | | about Propecia. The committee offered |
| enlargement, it was noticed that their was | | | | labeling suggestions in the context of an |
| some regrowth of hair in areas of male | | | | overall generally favorable discussion. Merck |
| pattern hair loss. | | | | & Co. of West Point, Pa., produces both |
| | | | Proscar and Propecia. |
| Being a little tongue in cheek. Its no | | | | |
| comfort to know that the side effects of one | | | | We all know Merck & Co. track record with |
| treatment become the basis of treatment in | | | | lawsuits. Vioxx and the osteoporosis drug |
| another. | | | | Fosamax are the first that come to mind. |
| | | | Almost seems to make about as much sense as |
| In further studies, 1 mg of finasteride and | | | | trusting Exxon to handle your neighborhood |
| demonstrated hair growth in male pattern hair | | | | environmental project. |
| loss. The number of hairs (I'm not sure if it | | | | |
| was 4 or 6 hairs, just kidding) increased in | | | | Make sure that when you start seeking |
| the anterior midscalp and vertex. | | | | treatments for hairloss and male pattern |
| | | | baldness that you weigh the pro's of hair |
| Patient feed back showed that there was in | | | | regrowth with the possible health concern |
| fact more hair regrowth with the finasteride | | | | cons. |