Medicine for Hair Loss
Prescription Medications
There are only two FDA approved prescription medicines for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. As is the case with most drugs, there may be side-effects involved.
Minoxidil (Rogaine®)- Originally used to treat high blood pressur.
- Minoxidil (Rogaine®) is applied twice daily to treat male pattern baldness.
- Studies have indicated that it may help grow hair in 10 percent to 20 percent of those who use it, and it may slow the rate of loss for 90 percent.
- Somehow prolongs the growing stage of the hair growth cycle, enlarge the follicles, and cause follicles at rest to grow. Minoxidil is generally more effective for young men and those whose onset of hair loss is recent.
- May take four months or longer to show results. The treatment is relatively expensive and must be applied indefinitely; when application is stopped, the new hair falls out. Newly grown hair may also not be as long and thick as normal hair.
- Originally used for the treatment of enlargement of the prostate gland. It is taken daily in pill form.
- Finasteride (Propecia®) inhibits the activity of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme. Therefore, there is less conversion of testosterone to DHT, which is what causes hair follicles to shrink and die.
- Side effects associated with finasteride are mainly related to sexual function, such as loss of sex drive, reversible impotence and a decrease in the quantity of semen. These side effects were experienced by approximately 2 percent to 5 percent of patients in clinical trials and will reverse if the medication is discontinue. Finasteride is not approved for use by women, because it may cause birth defects.