Generic Propecia (Finasteride)

Finasteride is a popular treatment option you should consider if yo0u’re suffering hair loss. The anti-androgen is also marketed as Propecia, Finpecia, Finast, Prosteride, Finara, Fincar and Proscar. Because Propecia is the most common version, we will use that term to refer to the anti-androgen throughout the article.
Propecia works by inhibiting the 5-alpha reductase – the enzyme which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. The drug was called Proscar when it was first approved in 1992, and it was mainly used to treat enlarged prostates. However, a study conducted using 1mg of Finasteride revealed hair regrowth in men who suffered from hair loss. This prompted the FDA to approve Finasteride as a treatment for mail pattern hair loss in 1997.
Merck & Co. manufactures the drug as Propecia, in which only 1 milligram of Finasteride is present. Merck’s patent for Propecia expired in June of 2006 which enables the FDA to approve a generic form of the drug available in 5 mg tablets.
Generally, Finasteride is only used to treat men because Propecia doesn’t affect hair loss in females. The Finasteride present in Propecia may also lead to birth defects in unborn babies which has caused the FDA to place it in Pregnancy Category X. The tablets are considered safe for pregnant women and their unborn children as long as the drug isn’t swallowed. However, women should avoid any form of the pill, particularly if they are broken or crushed. Finasteride has also been banned by many professional sports since it can mask the use of steroids.
Although Propecia has a 29-68 percent success rate, it is only effective as long as you continue treatment. Once you stop therapy, you will lose the hair you gained within a 6-12 month period. Propecia has proven to work effectively along the hairline and in the crown area.

The Food and Drug Administration approved Merck & Co. to market Propecia in 1998. Many years of tests and a significant time investment from the pharmaceutical companies involved are required before any drug is approved by the FDA.
More than 1,500 men participated in a two-year study involving Propecia. More than 80% of the men experienced an improvement in the density and growth of their hair. Therefore, Propecia appears to be effective in most cases.
Some men will experience superior results than others. You need to take the drug every day for a minimum of 2 to 3 months before deciding whether to continue treatment.
If you start taking Propecia, you must continue to do so for the rest of your life. If you stop taking the drug after experiencing hair growth, you may lose the hair you have gained.
How Propecia Works
Propecia works by blocking the process in which dihydrotestosterone or DHT is formed. DHT is partly created by male testosterone, and it can cause hair follicles to shut down or malfunction.
Every tablet of Propecia contains 1mg of Finasteride, a drug that was originally prescribed in 5 mg doses to treat prostate cancer in males older than 50. Many men who took the drug also experienced an increase in hair growth. Propecia is the brand name of the version of Finasteride used to treat male hair loss in the mid-scalp or crown of the head.
Propecia & Women
Propecia does not work for women. Even though the tablets are coated, they should not be taken by women who are pregnant or may be pregnant. Broken or crushed tablets can cause deformities of the male sex organs in children. Read the rest of this entry »

Propecia has been causing a controversy lately concerning its possible role in acne. Conflicting evidence reports that Propecia causes acne, whereas others claim that the drug helps to treat the condition.
Propecia As An Acne Treatment
Propecia regulates an androgen called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is believed to cause male pattern baldness. When DHT is regulated, hair loss can be reversed or reduced.
Propecia was discovered during a quest to find a cure to treat enlarged prostates. Because the drug regulates hormones such as dihydrotestosterone and testosterone, it was discovered to minimize hair loss. Given that acne is considered to be partially caused by hormonal problems, a drug that is able to regular hormones may also be effective in clearing up acne.
Propecia As a Cause Of Acne
Some people believe that Propecia may also increase acne because the effect of the body’s hormones is still being studied. The drug may cause acne and certain individuals have blamed Propecia for this.

The Inconclusive Conclusion
It is not evident whether Propecia actually causes acne or helps to treat it. Some people claim that the drug helped their acne, whereas others blame it for causing their skin condition. Therefore, it may come down to hormonal and personal genetic differences between individuals.