Baldness Drug Works, But Some Have Sexual Problems
The widely used baldness drug finasteride (Propecia) indeed boosts hair growth in men, but some may develop sexual problems, according to a new analysis….
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Genetic Hair Loss Test and Propecia Response Test
At risk for hair loss? Will Propecia work? Should you stay on Propecia? Genetic Hair Loss Testing and Finasteride/Propecia Response Testing can assess your chances based on your genetic makeup. Non-invasive, painless genetic testing for hair loss and propecia response takes less than five minutes to perform in your doctor’s office using a simple cheek-swab. Genetic testing (for men and women) as well as ‘finasteride response’ testing is available at Bauman Medical Group in Boca Raton FL. www.baumanmedical.com
The Particulars Of Propecia
With all the talk these days about Propecia I figured that this little pill needed a closer look. It is the only FDA approved drug for the treatment of male pattern baldness and it is being touted by many as the only thing that actually does something to stop the nightmare of a receding hairline. Many men have been quick to accept these claims and they take this pill every day but do they really know what they are taking?
First of all, the name of the actual ingredient in Propecia that should get all the credit for fighting the battle at the front lines of the war on receding hairlines is called finasteride. Some chemists working for the drug company Pfizer invented it in a laboratory and it does some pretty amazing things. It is a 4-azasteroid compound that is a specific inhibitor of the Type II 5 alpha-reductase. In plain English, it basically prevents androgen testosterone from being converted into 5-dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. This preventative process stops your hair follicles from dying, which allows more hair to grow on your head.
The enemy, known as DHT is an enzyme that is found primarily in the prostate, seminal vesicles, epididymides, hair follicles and liver. These particular parts of the body account for approximately 67 percent of the DHT that circulates in the bodies of men. The war on baldness is going on at an intracellular level and finasteride is your army that is fighting gallantly for you against an evil enzyme.
Here are some particulars of the actual ingredient finasteride. It is a white crystalline powder with a melting point of 250 degrees Celsius. If you put finasteride in lower alcohol solvents it will freely dissolve, but it is almost insoluble when placed in water. Most Propecia pills available contain 5 mg of finasteride. They are film-coated tablets that also contain the inactive ingredients hydrous lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, sodium starch glycolate, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose LF, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, titanium dioxide, magnesium stearate, talc, docusate sodium, FD&C Blue 2 aluminum lake and yellow iron oxide. These inactive ingredients are mostly just the bonding and filling agents that it takes to make a little pill of Propecia that men can take every day.
There are some warnings when it comes to who can and cannot take Propecia. Women should not take it, nor should anyone who has liver problems. This is due to the fact that this drug works on the enzyme DHT which is primarily produced in the liver.
In most studies that have been performed on men between the ages of 18-54 who used Propecia on a daily basis for several months 65 percent showed an increase in hair growth over areas of the front and top of the scalp. Once the active ingredient finasteride interacts with the hair follicles in bald areas of the scalp, the follicles seem to come back to life. Hair begins to grow again, and so does your self esteem. So it would seem that Propecia is the best product available for men to use in the treatment of male pattern baldness, otherwise known as alopecia. The side effects are minimal and the process is as easy as taking a pill. The results have been very positive in the hair growth department.
In the war against a receding hairline it is good to know that a little white crystalline powder know as finasteride is fighting the battle for you at the intracellular level against a very destructive force known as 5-dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. In plain English, if you cannot afford a hair transplant and you want to know what the next best choice would be to have a better head of hair, Propecia seems to be the answer.
Author: Michael Connelly
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Digital Camera News
Androgenic Alopecia – Treating Androgenetic Alopecia With Propecia
Propecia is used to treat male-pattern baldness, which generally occurs on the front mid-scalp and on the vertex regions. Such condition is also known as androgenetic alopecia in which males experience thinning or gradual losing of hair on certain areas of the scalp. These undesirable changes commonly start in men at their 20s.
Propecia is composed of 1 milligram Finasteride. This drug inhibits type II 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that changes testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) inside the human body.
It must be especially noted that Propecia can only be used by men, and not by children or women. The Finasteride content of the Propecia tablet can be absorbed in the body through the skin. Furthermore, it has teratogenic effects on the fetus hence it must also be strongly kept away from pregnant women. Because of these unwanted effects, the tablets of Propecia are coated to prevent skin contact with Finasteride content during normal usage, for as long as the tablets are neither crushed nor broken. If in case a woman comes in contact with the active ingredient of the Propecia tablet, you must immediately wash the region with water and soap.
If you decide to take Propecia, you must first tell your physician about any allergic reaction to the drug or to a drug that has the same Finasteride content. Your doctor must also know whether you have liver conditions, bladder disorder, prostate cancer, or urination problems.
Propecia must be taken exactly as the physician has prescribed. Lowering or increasing the dose of the medicine, without consulting a doctor, should definitely be avoided. The prescription label may include directions, which you must strictly follow. Propecia can be taken on an empty or full stomach, and a full glass of water is essential.
If a dose is missed, take it as soon as you remember. But if your next medicine dose is already near, just skip the missed dose and take the next one. Never double your dose to make up for the missed one. Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. However, an overdose of Propecia is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.
The medication may cause nausea, swelling on extremities, testicular pain, impotence, abnormal ejaculation, dizziness, body weakness, skin rash, among others. Emergency medical assistance should be reached when an allergic reaction occurs, as indicated by symptoms like difficulty of breathing, hives, and swelling of the face, tongue, lips, or throat. Call the doctor right away if tenderness, nipple discharge, lumps, or any changes on the breast are noticed as these signs may indicate breast cancer.
For best results, Propecia should be taken regularly. It may take three months or perhaps even more before wanted effects can be observed. However, if the drug seemed to not work after twelve months of using it, a doctor must be consulted and further treatment may be recommended.
The medication must be stored at room temperature. It must be kept away from heat, light, and moisture. The medicine bottle must be kept tightly closed if idle or not in use.
Author: Wong Darren
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Credit card currency-exchange fees
Finasteride Propecia Hair Loss Drug – Answers To Frequently Asked Questions
Finasteride Propecia is one of only two prescription drugs approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to combat hair loss. Originally Finasteride was used for prostate enlargement in men over 50.
Then in January 1998 the FDA approved Finasteride Propecia 1 mg per day for the treatment of hair loss in men. As with any prescription drug, there can be limitations and side effects.
Browse this FAQ page to get a basic understanding of how Finasteride Propecia works for hair loss and decide whether you will consult your doctor about the possibility of getting a prescription.
Just exactly what is Finasteride Propecia?
Finasteride for hair loss is a non-addictive oral medication manufactured by Merck & Co. Inc. under the name Propecia. Each film coated tablet contains 1 mg of Finasteride and it may be taken with or without food. Just swallow it with a glass of water.
Who is Finasteride Propecia intended for?
Men only! Women and children should not take this drug.
Additionally, pregnant women or women who might be pregnant should not handle broken or crushed tablets of Finasteride Propecia to avoid the risk of causing abnormalities in a male baby’s sex organs.
Men who are experiencing hair loss on the crown of the head or in the mid-scalp area may benefit from Finasteride Propecia. At present there is no evidence to prove it is effective for a receeding hairline or for hair loss on the sides of the head around the temples.
How soon can I expect to see results?
Taking 1 tablet per day (it makes no difference if the dose is increased) results are often seen within 3 to 6 months, namely, a slowing down or stopping of hair loss, and an increased hair density.
Do I have to keep taking Finasteride Propecia?
If you want to maintain the benefit of using this drug then continued use is recommended. It is possible you can lose the hair you gain 9 to 12 months after you stop taking the drug.
What results can I expect?
Results obviously vary from person to person. Many men note a slowing down of hair loss after taking Finasteride Propecia and an increase in the number of visible scalp hairs, although it seems you will not be able to grow back all hair you have lost by taking this drug.
Clinical studies showed that after two years approximately 8 out of 10 men either kept their hair or grew more. 17% of the 1,553 men involved in the test continued to lose hair.
How does Finasteride Propecia work?
The medication causes a significant drop in DHT levels in both the scalp and the blood. DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is one of the main culprits in causing hair loss. Finasteride Propecia blocks the conversion of the male hormone testosterone into DHT.
What are the side effects of Finasteride Propecia?
About 3.8% of the men involved in clinical trials experienced some form of sexual dysfunction. As the percentage indicates, the likelihood is uncommon and the side effects disappeared within a few weeks once the medication was stopped.
The side effects become apparent before the user notices any improvement in hair growth. This is important to note as there is no risk of losing any hair gained through stopping the medication.
From the information presented above it can be seen that the decision to use Finasteride Propecia to combat hair loss must be thought out carefully.
Pros And Cons
On the negative side, there is a small risk of sexual dysfunction and the medication has to be taken indefinitely to maintain any improvement in hair growth.
On the positive side, there is a high chance this medication will make a difference to hair loss and the chances of re-growth.
Consult with your doctor and see whether he feels you would be a good candidate for Finasteride Propecia!
Author: Mike Jones
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: US Dollar credit card
Treatments That Offer Hope To Hair Loss Sufferers
Many people experiencing premature hair loss simply resign themselves to a process that is as inevitable as growing old. This is a positive and healthy reaction to what is a natural process for many. But for others the onset of premature balding or excessive hair loss represents a traumatic development that causes untold worry and suffering. This too is a legitimate reaction regardless of whether the hair loss is caused by hereditary factors or some other more complex cause.
Should these sufferers just grin and bear it? No, they should not because there are a number of potentially effective treatments they could utilize, depending on the nature of their hair loss. In this article I will outline some of the most popular hair loss treatments currently available in order to reinforce the fact that hair loss can be treated. The next article in the series will look closely at the treatment regimes best suited to specific ailments such as alopecia areata and telogen effluvium.
At present only two medications have been approved as hair loss treatments by the FDA. These are minoxidil, better known as Rogaine, and finasteride, better known as Propecia. Several other drugs have proven to be effective in combating hair loss, dutasteride for example, but have not yet been approved for this particular use.
Finasteride was originally developed to treat enlarged prostate conditions but a low dose version was subsequently approved for the treatment of hair loss in men. It tackles the causes of male pattern baldness by preventing the conversion of 5-alpha-reductase into DHT. Given that DHT is the main male hormone linked to hair loss, reducing its production by two thirds has a major impact on controlling this type of baldness.
Research has shown that 83% of men studied were able to maintain their hair count and 64% experienced regrowth by the end of a two year period. It should be noted that finasteride is approved for use by men only as the drug can have serious effects on unborn male fetuses. Women should therefore only consider using this drug under the strict supervision of a physician.
Dutasteride (Avodart) is a new medication for use in treating prostate conditions and, although not yet approved for the treatment of hair loss, it does offer exciting possibilities. It works in a similar way to finasteride but reputedly reduces overall DHT production by over 93%. As is the case with finasteride, women should consult their physician before using dutasteride.
Minoxidil (Rogaine) is the other hair loss treatment approved by the FDA and it is the only anti-baldness drug approved for women. Applied topically, its main benefit is its ability to stimulate regrowth thus reversing the effects of pattern baldness. Many users combine the application of minoxidil with other hair loss treatments like Propecia to achieve maximal results, but others experience satisfactory outcomes using minoxidil on its own.
Several studies have shown that certain non-drug products promote hair regrowth but none have yet been approved by the FDA. This is partly due to the prohibitive costs involved in conducting trials to prove that the products are effective for the purpose of marketing them as hair loss treatments. Many individuals and dermatologists nonetheless recommend use of certain non-drug treatments as an alternative or complement to drug therapy.
In many instances the treatments are based on natural ingredients that stimulate similar responses to those of the prescribed drugs but without the side effects. The information provided here presents a sample of products that have been subjected to testing or at least have had their effectiveness supported by independent feedback.
One such product is Arcon Tisane which has become Europe’s top selling natural supplement for hair loss. It comes as a capsule and sub-lingual spray containing saw palmetto and fenugreek stimulating a response similar to that of finasteride by inhibiting the production of DHT. Arcon Tisane has been clinically tested and has received widespread media coverage of its success in combating hair loss.
Calosol is a relatively new product aimed at helping alopecia areata sufferers. It consists of a shampoo and an accelerator applied daily in order to stimulate hair roots, reduce hair loss and promote healthy hair. Early indications suggest that Calosol can contribute significantly to easing this distressing and difficult to treat condition.
Fabao 101 is a treatment that comes in varying formats, each designed to tackle a particular form of hair loss. The common factor to each product is their derivation from natural plant sources. It was developed by a dermatologist and has received many international awards.
Folligen copper peptide products are designed to help create an environment that improves scalp health, reduces hair loss and stimulates hair regrowth. It can be used by both men and women. Studies at over 30 leading universities and medical research institutes have established the effectiveness of the technology utilized in Folligen products.
Tricomin is another treatment that targets the delivery of copper to the base of the hair follicle and it too has been clinically proven as an effective treatment for stopping hair loss and stimulating regrowth. It can be used safely with other hair loss treatments and can be especially useful in complementing the effects of finasteride and minoxidil.
Revivogen is an all-natural hair loss treatment that reduces DHT production, blocks the androgen receptors and stimulates hair growth. It is used topically and has no known side effects.
Shen Min is another natural hair loss treatment designed to restore and regrow all types and stages of hair loss. It is safe for both men and women. Shen Min contains a blend of Chinese herbs and comes in various forms to suit most people.
ThymuSkin was developed by German scientists to fight hair loss in patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Due to the high success rates the product was developed for use by the general public to combat all types of hair loss. Clinical studies conducted in Europe show that ThymuSkin hair loss treatments could help to stop baldness and regrow hair for 67% of men and 95% of women.
Hopefully this article has demonstrated that many treatment options are available to hair loss sufferers. The next article in this series will develop the theme further by examining the treatment regimes that have proven effective in tackling specific forms of hair loss such as androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata and telogen effluvium.
Author: Richard Mitchell
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger
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