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.

For men who are experiencing hair loss, one of the more popular treatments worth considering is called Finasteride. This anti-androgen is marketed as Proscar, Propecia, Fincar, Finpecia, Finax, Finast, Finara and Prosteride. For the purpose of this article, we will use the term Propecia to describe the various forms of Finasteride, as Propecia is by far the most asked about, and most widely used version of the anti-androgen.

Propecia is an anti-androgen which works by inhibiting what is called 5-alpha reductase. 5-alpha reductase is an enzyme which converts testosterone into something called dihydrotesterone. It was initially approved in 1992, but was called Proscar at the time, and was a treatment mainly used for prostate enlargement. However, a study on 1mg of Finasteride had demonstrated hair re0growth in male pattern hair loss, which prompted the FDA to approve Finasteride in 1997 as a male pattern hair loss treatment.

Propecia is a drug trade name which is the product of Merck & Co. In Propecia, only 1 milligram of Finasteride can actually be found. The patent on Propecia owned by Merck had expired on June 19 of 2006, allowing the FDA to approve a generic formulation for Finasteride which is available in 5 milligram tablets.

Finasteride is generally not indicated by use for women, and Propecia does not have any affect at all on hair loss in women. Additionally, the Finasteride in Propecia has been known to cause birth defects in unborn babies, and has therefore been placed in the FDA’s Pregnancy Category X. As long as the tablets are not swallowed, they should not be harmful to pregnant women and their unborn babies, but women should avoid the pills whenever possible, especially when crushed or broken. Many professional sports have had to ban Finasteride as it can be used to mask the abuse of steroids.

Propecia shows a 29 to 68 percent success rate, but the treatment is only effective for as long as the treatment is continued. As soon as therapy is ceased, the hair that is gained or maintained will be lost within a period of six to twelve months. Though Propecia has appeared to work more successfully in the crown area, it also works well along the hairline.

The Psychology of Hair Loss

What can baldness do to you when you suffer

A recent study released by Business Wire earlier this year found that individuals who experience hair loss believe their appearance impacts virtually every part of their lives. The four-year study, examining men experiencing androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness), describes high levels of depression and dysfunction. This was true across all age and ethnic groups, as well as socio-economic strata. Hair-loss sufferers collectively agree that there is a link between hair loss and loss of self-confidence.

Dr. Stanley Teitelbaum, a New York psychologist who correlated the study – and whose clinical focus is male pattern baldness – described his patients’ attitudes as “a feeling of losing it.”  92% were obsessed with their hair loss, and 82% agreed that “hair loss prevents me from being who I really am.”  86% faced frequent, unwelcome, questions about – or observations on – their hair loss, while 88% said they felt uncomfortable at social events (particularly ones that might result in a toupee or wig accidentally being removed). A full 6% acknowledged thoughts of suicide.   

Dr. Jordana Gilman, a Manhattan dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, observed similar behavior patterns among her patients. She added, however, that once a treatment program results in hair restoration, the patient’s psyche improves.  This is why it is so important to start a regimen with Propecia today, instead of waiting until hair loss damages your psychological equilibrium.

About Propecia

Propecia, from Merck & Co., is the first, clinically proven, pharmaceutical treatment to reduce hair loss and even re-grow hair in men. In studies in both the U.S. and abroad, Propecia was shown to restore some or all of the hair in 82% - 90% of men who used it for more than two years, and five-year users achieved excellent results with minimal side effects.

Propecia is one of only two FDA-approved treatments for hair loss (the other is Minoxidil). Unlike Minoxidil, a topical preparation with a 50% efficacy rating, Propecia is taken as a tablet, once a day. Dosages do not need to be adjusted for age or illness, further revealing Propecia’s remarkable safety record, which in clinical trials over a 5-year period showed only a .03% ratio of side effects.

Comments From Users

Comments from Propecia users confirm Propecia’s effectiveness. One man, who has been using finasteride (Propecia) for about 10 years, said that within six months his thinning had stopped. In another six months, he noticed “frontal” regrowth, and credits the drug with “maintaining my hairline.”  Another male user, who noticed slowed thinning and regrowth in three months, describes Propecia as, “the best treatment I ever did.”

Baldness and Psychological Makeup

Most studies showed that people with alopecia have lower self-esteem, poorer quality of life, higher levels of both anxiety and depression, and poorer body image than the control groups. An effective deterrent to these might be support groups, and physicians should recognize the psychological impact of alopecia as a mandate for some sort of therapy. Prescribing Propecia is a good first step, but since the ultimate benefits of Propecia are not seen for several years, therapy is also in order.

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PROPECIA

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Finasteride is a competitive and specific inhibitor of Type II 5?-reductase, an intracellular enzyme that converts
the androgen testosterone into DHT. Two distinct isozymes are found in mice, rats, monkeys, and humans: Type
I and II. Each of these isozymes is differentially expressed in tissues and developmental stages. In humans, Type
I 5?-reductase is predominant in the sebaceous glands of most regions of skin, including scalp, and liver. Type I 5?-
reductase is responsible for approximately one-third of circulating DHT. The Type II 5?-reductase isozyme is
primarily found in prostate, seminal vesicles, epididymides, and hair follicles as well as liver, and is responsible for
two-thirds of circulating DHT.
In humans, the mechanism of action of finasteride is based on its preferential inhibition of the Type II isozyme.
Using native tissues (scalp and prostate), in vitro binding studies examining the potential of finasteride to inhibit either
isozyme revealed a 100-fold selectivity for the human Type II 5?-reductase over Type I isozyme (IC
50
=500 and
4.2 nM for Type I and II, respectively). For both isozymes, the inhibition by finasteride is accompanied by reduction
of the inhibitor to dihydrofinasteride and adduct formation with NADP+. The turnover for the enzyme complex is slow
(t
1/2
approximately 30 days for the Type II enzyme complex and 14 days for the Type I complex).
Finasteride has no affinity for the androgen receptor and has no androgenic, antiandrogenic, estrogenic,
antiestrogenic, or progestational effects. Inhibition of Type II 5?-reductase blocks the peripheral conversion of
testosterone to DHT, resulting in significant decreases in serum and tissue DHT concentrations. Finasteride
produces a rapid reduction in serum DHT concentration, reaching 65% suppression within 24 hours of oral dosing
with a 1-mg tablet.
In men with male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia), the balding scalp contains miniaturized hair follicles
and increased amounts of DHT compared with hairy scalp. Administration of finasteride decreases scalp and serum
DHT concentrations in these men. The relative contributions of these reductions to the treatment effect of finasteride
have not been defined. By this mechanism, finasteride appears to interrupt a key factor in the development of
androgenetic alopecia in those patients genetically predisposed.
Finasteride had no effect on circulating levels of cortisol, thyroid-stimulating hormone, or thyroxine, nor did it affect
the plasma lipid profile (e.g., total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins, high-density lipoproteins and triglycerides)
or bone mineral density. In studies with finasteride, no clinically meaningful changes in luteinizing hormone (LH) or
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were detected. In healthy volunteers, treatment with finasteride did not alter the
response of LH and FSH to gonadotropin-releasing hormone, indicating that the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis
was not affected. Mean circulating levels of testosterone and estradiol were increased by approximately 15% as
compared to baseline, but these remained within the physiologic range.
Pharmacokinetics
Following an oral dose of
14
C-finasteride in man, a mean of 39% (range, 32-46%) of the dose was excreted in
the urine in the form of metabolites; 57% (range, 51-64%) was excreted in the feces. The major compound isolated
from urine was the monocarboxylic acid metabolite; virtually no unchanged drug was recovered. The t-butyl side
chain monohydroxylated metabolite has been isolated from plasma. These metabolites possessed no more than
20% of the 5?-reductase inhibitory activity of finasteride.
In a study in 15 healthy male subjects, the mean bioavailability of finasteride 1-mg tablets was 65% (range 26-
170%), based on the ratio of AUC relative to a 5-mg intravenous dose infused over 60 minutes. Following
intravenous infusion, mean plasma clearance was 165 mL/min (range, 70-279 mL/min) and mean steady-state
volume of distribution was 76 liters (range, 44-96 liters). In a separate study, the bioavailability of finasteride was not
affected by food.
Approximately 90% of circulating finasteride is bound to plasma proteins. Buy Online Propecia has been found to cross
the blood-brain barrier.
There is a slow accumulation phase for finasteride after multiple dosing. At steady state following dosing with 1
mg/day, maximum finasteride plasma concentration averaged 9.2 ng/mL (range, 4.9-13.7 ng/mL) and was reached
1 to 2 hours postdose; AUC
(0-24 hr)
was 53 ng•hr/mL (range, 20-154 ng•hr/mL) and mean terminal half-life of
elimination was 4.8 hours (range, 3.3-13.4 hours).
Semen levels have been measured in 35 men taking finasteride 1 mg daily for 6 weeks. In 60% (21 of 35) of the
samples, finasteride levels were undetectable. The mean finasteride level was 0.26 ng/mL and the highest level
measured was 1.52 ng/mL. Using this highest semen level measured and assuming 100% absorption from a 5-mL
ejaculate per day, human exposure through vaginal absorption would be up to 7.6 ng per day, which is 750 times
lower than the exposure from the no-effect dose for developmental abnormalities in Rhesus monkeys (see
PRECAUTIONS, Pregnancy).
Page 3
The elimination rate of finasteride decreases somewhat with age. Mean terminal half-life is approximately 5-6
hours in men 18-60 years of age and 8 hours in men more than 70 years of age. These findings are of no clinical
significance, and a reduction in dosage in the elderly is not warranted.
No dosage adjustment is necessary in patients with renal insufficiency. In patients with chronic renal impairment
(creatinine clearance ranging from 9.0 to 55 mL/min), the values for AUC, maximum plasma concentration, half-life,
and protein binding after a single dose of
14
C-finasteride were similar to those obtained in healthy volunteers. Urinary
excretion of metabolites was decreased in patients with renal impairment. This decrease was associated with an
increase in fecal excretion of metabolites. Plasma concentrations of metabolites were significantly higher in patients
with renal impairment (based on a 60% increase in total radioactivity AUC). Furthermore, finasteride has been well
tolerated in men with normal renal function receiving up to 80 mg/day for 12 weeks where exposure of these patients
to metabolites would presumably be much greater.Buy Online Propecia

Propecia’s effects in detail

DHT is a derivative hormone (metabolite) of testosterone that has been shown to be critical to the initiation and progression of follicular miniaturization and eventual destruction of hair follicles in male pattern baldness. DHT is a steroid hormone just like testosterone but with greater affinity for the androgen receptor. Converting testosterone to DHT thus increases many of its effects.

While the mechanism by which DHT is involved in hair loss is not confirmed, many dermatologists and research scientists specializing in hair loss believe DHT molecules may diffuse into the interior of hair follicle cells (the cytoplasm or cytosol) and bind with androgen receptors. This complex, both the receptor and the DHT molecule, then enters the nucleus of the cell. In the nucleus of the hair follicle cell this complex could then alter the rate of protein synthesis in men who are genetically predisposed to baldness.[citation needed]

However, DHT also plays an important role in the functioning of the central nervous system (the brain), the testicles and prostate, and almost everything but muscle tissue. In muscle tissue testosterone is the dominant hormone, which is why some bodybuilders inject testosterone derivatives to aid in muscular development.

* Propecia (and other products containing finasteride) cause a rise in testosterone levels because testosterone that would normally be converted into DHT remains testosterone. Continual high levels of testosterone in the body could possibly have negative side effects.

* Artificially low levels of DHT in the body could cause some unwanted conditions. DHT is an antagonist of estrogen. Men’s bodies also produce the female hormone estrogen in the adrenal glands, although this is just one-tenth of the estrogen that premenopausal women produce in their ovaries. By reducing DHT with drugs, a man’s protection from the effects of estrogen may also be reduced. This could result in gynecomastia.

* Even though both finasteride and dutasteride were developed to combat benign prostatic hyperplasia by reducing DHT in prostate tissue, some scientists question the wisdom of using these 5-alpha reductase inhibitors in younger men who have no problem with their prostates. A research chemist, Patrick Arnold, says “Evidence is mounting that the existence of a high estrogen/androgen ratio – a condition common in older men – is highly correlated with the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia.”[citation needed] However, in apparent contradiction, individuals with 5-alpha-reductase deficiency (and thus a similar hormonal profile to users of DHT inhibitors) do not experience BPH.Buy Online Propecia

Effective Hair Loss Remedies

If you are beginning to lose your hair, you likely feel embarrassed and concerned. While hair loss is sometimes a natural part of the aging process, there are treatments that can be used to stop it. The hair loss remedy you choose will depend on many factors, including your gender, the amount of hair loss you are experiencing and the cause of your hair loss.

One popular over the counter hair loss treatment is minoxidil, which is a medication commonly known by the brand name of Regaine. Minoxidil works well for both men and women. This medication is a liquid that is rubbed on the scalp twice a day. It both increases hair growth and can stop hair loss. This hair loss remedy does not cause the hair to grow back as full, thick, and long as it had been before, but it does often cause enough hair to grow to cover the bald spot. Minoxidil does not work for everyone and the effects of the medication stop as soon as you stop using it.

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Men with male pattern baldness can benefit from a prescription hair loss remedy known as finasteride or Propecia. This medication stops testosterone from converting into dihydrotestosterone, which appears to cause male hair loss. Women cannot use this medication because it poses severe danger to male babies in the womb. Finasteride works primarily to slow or arrest the loss of hair but it can cause some new hair growth. The overall success rate of this medication is 89 per cent.

Sometimes women and men with hair loss can benefit from having cortisone injections in the scalp. Cortisone in a cream or ointment can sometimes be used to stimulate hair growth as well. However, injections are more effective than creams or ointments. The injections are usually repeated on a monthly basis.

Any medical hair loss remedy has potential side effects. Also, these medical treatments do not always work. Many people suffering from hair loss, particularly women, will try surgical procedures to treat their condition. Surgery is usually only tried after traditional remedies have failed. There are two surgical procedures used as hair loss remedies. These are hair transplants and scalp reduction surgery.

A hair transplant involves taking hair and skin from a part of the body where the hair is growing well, such as the back of the head, and surgically attaching it to the part of the head where the hair loss is occurring. As the transplants

root, the hair grows as it had been growing on the back of the head, eventually covering the bald area.

A scalp reduction involves stretching the scalp so that the skin in the bald spot can be removed. The incision is closed by stretching the scalp so that the areas that contain hair cover the removed portion. After the area heals, the hair grows as normal. There are many potential side effects to a surgical hair loss remedy. For this reason, those considering surgery to deal with their hair loss should carefully discuss the option with their doctors to give themselves the chance to weigh the benefits against the potential risks. Tags:Buy Online Propecia