LEADING POINTS:
- Take ONE tablet daily
- Over 8/10 men benefit [2]
- Results as soon as 3 months
INFORMATION ON FINASTERIDE (SIDEBAR MENU TO BE ADDED)
WHAT IS FINASTERIDE AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
- Finasteride is a medication for the treatment of hair loss.
- It belongs to a group of medications called “5-alpha-reductase inibitors”.
- 5-alpha-reductase is an enzyme which converts testosterone into the more powerful di-hydrotestosterone (DHT).
- DHT is associated with hair loss (it blocks hair follicles and limits hair regrowth).
- Therefore finasteride reduces DHT reducing and potentially reversing hair loss.
HOW LONG DOES FINASTERIDE TAKE TO WORK?
- It is likely that one will see improvement (hair starting to regrow and further hair loss being stopped) within 3-6 months.
- However, up to 12 months is needed to truly assess the effectiveness of the treatment
- Finasteride only works for as long as you keep taking it; if you stop taking it the hair regrown will be lost again and hair loss will continue (usually within a year).
WHO IS FINASTERIDE SUITABLE FOR?
Do Not take Finasteride if:
- Under 18
- Female – does not work for female hair loss
- Your hair loss is not caused by a genetic factor or you are not fully sure.
- Already taking finasteride (5mg) or dutasteride for prostate.
Finasteride should be used within caution if:
- History of mood disorders (especially depression and suicidal thoughts).
- Blocked urinary tract
FINASTERIDE WITH OTHER MEDICATIONS
Do not take finasteride if taking:
- High dose finasteride (5mg) for enlarged prostate
- Or dutasteride for enlarged prostate
Speak to doctor first if taking:
- St John’s Wort
- Other herbal remedies
- Other supplements such as vitamin supplements.
HOW TO TAKE FINASTERIDE:
- One tablet a day
- Finasteride will not work better or faster if you take more than one a day; only increased side-effects risk.
- Missed tablet – take missed one as soon as remember and then carry on as normal. Avoid double doses.
- Finasteride only works for as long as you keep taking it; if you stop taking it, the hair regrown will be lost again and hair loss will continue (usually within a year).
- Finasteride is safe to take long term and even for the rest of your life and is generally well-tolerated.
Side-effects
Common
- Impacted sex life
Uncommon
- Abnormal chest/breast tissue (gynaecomastia)
- Depression
- Skin reactions
Frequency unknown – potentially serious – seek immediate medical attention:
- Suicidal thoughts, ideation or behaviours
- Fluid retention
- Infertility (reduced sperm count)
- Heart palpitations
- Groin pain
OTHER PRECAUTIONS AND WARNINGS (eg: lab test, pregnancy, breastfeeding).
- Finasteride can cause potentially serious mood changes including depression and suicidal ideation. If this happens please stop taking Finasteride and speak to a doctor immediately.
- Finasteride can impact sex life if it lowers sex drive and can cause erectile dysfunction.
- Occasionally the mood and sexual impact can continue even after treatment has been discontinued. Support should be given.
- Finasteride will only work if your hair loss was caused by genetic reasons and not for other causes.
- Finasteride only works for as long as you keep taking it; if you stop taking it, the hair regrown will be lost again and hair loss will continue (usually within a year).
- Finasteride is present in ejaculate – condoms should be used if partner is pregnant or likely to become pregnant in the near future. Finasteride can harm unborn babies and cause sex organ defects.
- Pregnant women should not handle Finasteride tablets, especially if crushed or broken.
- A higher dose of Finasteride (5mg) will NOT be any more effective for hair loss than the 1mg. It will increase risk of side effects. 5mg is only for prostate enlargement and not for hair loss.
- Effect on lab tests – may sabotage tests for PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen).
LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO COMBAT HAIR LOSS:
- Stress management – stress can accelerate and even induce hair loss
- Enough protein. Hair is made mainly from a protein called keratin. Insufficient protein can cause trouble regrowing hair and can accelerate hair loss.
- Hair care
- Scalp massage (gentle) – can help stimulate blood flow to scalp possibly helping to regrow hair
- Avoid sulfur-containing hair products
- Don’t pull on hair too hard. This can cause hair loss (known as traction alopecia, reversible in mild cases, permanent in severe cases).
- Limit alcohol and smoking – these can contribute to hair loss.
- Diet/nutrition; important vitamins/minerals for hair health:
- Iron
- Zinc
- Vitamin D
- Biotin
- Omega fatty acids.
- Avoid extreme diets. Hair deprived of nutrients can contribute to hair loss.
FINASTERIDE INGREDIENTS:
Tablet core:
Lactose monohydrate
Cellulose, microcrystalline
Sodium starch glycolate
Starch pregelatinised [maize starch]
Docusate sodium
Magnesium stearate
Tablet coat:
Hypromellose
Hydroxy propyl cellulose
Talc
Titanium dioxide (E171)
Red iron oxide (E172)
Yellow iron oxide (E172)
FINASTERIDE AND MINOXODIL COMBINATION TREATMENT (CONFIRM STATS):
Finasteride with Minoxidil – increases effectiveness in combination. [2]
- 94% success rate with both used.
- Finasteride alone has less percentage 83%.
- Minoxidil alone 73%.
SOURCES
[1] https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/finasteride/#important-safety-information
[2] 1 Hu et al. 2015. 2 McClellan and Markham, 1999. 3 Olsen et al. 2007.
Shobz Pharmacy 