Propecia Half Dose

[hdude46]

The examiner story is nothing to worry about. Dr. Irwig conducted his "study" by ranking 71 members of propeciahelp.com on the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale. In fact Spencer Kobren covered that story a year ago.
There isn't currently scientific evidence that finasteride causes permanent impotence or anything of the sort. I generally would advise against reading pop media articles about hair loss treatments.
Also, there are lawsuits against all kinds of drugs on a regular basis. They mean nothing in themselves. You often see lawyers advertising on television about a particular kind of medicine; it's how some of them make a living.

The rate of side effects for finasteride is quite low (though I agree it may be higher than 2-3%), and those that come up often resolve on their own while continuing the medication. I have been on 1.25 mg for over a year and I'm fine.
If you experience side effects on this drug, you can try a lower dose (.5 mg is a fine place to start).
Finally, don't take StressedToTheBald seriously. He's the resident troll on The Bald Truth at the moment, and probably won't have his account for long.

Good luck.

From the comment section at the end of the article:

This article needs some serious clarification. First off, it has been known for years that individuals with *EXISTING PROSTATE CANCER* might experience accelerated tumor growth if they started 5ar treament. This is NOT THE SAME as saying Propecia "Causes high grade prostate cancer". The difference is huge. If the FDA released a *new* warning that is different from the one a few years ago, this should be clarified, and you should be linking to it in your article. Secondly, lumping in 5mg of finasteride with 1mg of finasteride is also a huge error in facts. They are not the same. Side effects are significantly higher at 5 times the dosage. That would be true for any drug on the market today. Viagra has killed some people. Try taking 5 Viagras and see how long your heart lasts... You can't compare the two. Most importantly however, you need to clarify if this is for people with pre-existing tumors, or people who are perfectly healthy, AND taking 1mg of Finasteride. If Propecia has been shown to cause *new* cancer in such individuals, then there's a huge problem with this drug that has been overlooked since it went on the market (cough) 25 years ago. That's quite a long time for someone not to have noticed. If this article really is just about the 10% of men who experience sexual dysfunction on Propecia, then this is old news. Such individuals are advised to stop taking the stuff. Nobody forces them to continue it for 2 years and ignore the side effects. And in 12 years of working with people experiencing hair loss, I have never heard of a single person who stopped after 1 month and experienced "Irreversable" side effects. That also needs to be clarified. Did these individuals keep taking it after they knew the problems, out of fear that they'd lose hair? If so, who's fault is that? Your article needs more clarification.

[DAVE52]

Last year

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2011/2011_110-eng.php

Information Update
2011-110
August 4, 2011For immediate release

OTTAWA - Health Canada is informing healthcare practitioners and patients of a labelling update for finasteride drugs to add safety information on rare reports of breast cancer in men.

Finasteride is a prescription drug sold in Canada under two brand names, "Propecia" and "Proscar." Generic finasteride products (1mg and 5mg) are also available on the market. Propecia (1 mg tablets) is used for the treatment of male pattern hair loss, while Proscar (5 mg tablets) is used in the treatment and control of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is a non-cancerous enlarged prostate. Finasteride is for use in men only.

Male breast cancer has been reported in a small number of patients worldwide with both the 1 mg and 5 mg formulations of finasteride. Most of the reports have been in association with the 5mg formulation.


The labelling for Propecia, Proscar and several of the generic finasteride products has already been updated to include information on the potential risk of male breast cancer. Updates to the remaining generic drugs will follow.

Patients taking finasteride should report any changes in their breasts to their doctor. Changes might include breast enlargement, lumps, tenderness, pain or nipple discharge.

Patients with questions or concerns about their finasteride treatment should talk to their health professional. Drug labels, or "Product Monographs," contain important prescribing and safety information for health professionals and patients, and are available by search of Health Canada's Drug Product Database.

[sausage]

That recent study you keep cluster bombing this forum with was not a reliable study. At best the conclusion of that study is that more study is needed.

I did not read the study you are talking about but apparently they are now going to put prostate cancer warnings on these products after some company called 'Health Canada' has found it can increase the risk of high-grade prostate cancer. But the increased risk is supposed to be 'small' whatever small means.

No research has been done on the 1mg dosage but the 5mg dosage was studied and thats where they saw risks, but the 1mg dose has been described as a 'potential risk and has not been ruled out'.

They also believe Breast Cancer is a risk and have added this risk to packaging.

[NotBelievingIt]

It's also possible that I have less frequent morning erections, but I'm not sure about that one. (And the other medications I use can cause this as well.)

Everyone (well, obv not females ) has erections at night. Having them when you wake up is the same sleep cycle as remembering dreams. It all depends on when you wake up in the cycle.

Therefore it is also quite possible you are not sleeping as soundly and/or not waking up during or at the tail end of a REM sleep session.

...To promote these herbs and sterols as a safe alternative to Propecia irresponsible, but completely wrong.

Some people would prefer to put something from nature in their body that messes with hormones, rather then something made in the lab. S.P. is clearly a far less potent 5ar inhibiter then Finasteride - and it is that potentcy that is the cause of the effects and their "longevity", due entirely to each persons own sensitivity to lower 5ar conversions in their endocrine system. Its quite possible someone whose hair is sensitive to DHT, but not overly, is "over-dosing" with Finasteride and causing more problems the necessary by inhibiting that much DHT and 5AR. Is it necessary to decrease it by 70% for all cases? Sure thats the best hair result, but is it the best result for the total well being? *shrug*

Mercks ultimate failure is not following up on *why* side effects were seen in some men and not others. Of course, doing that with every drug would add millions to the cost of development, so they simply do not do it unless the sides are very serious - I mean life threatening serious.

[Winston]

Half dose or not, propecia is hazardous.
It will very soon get banned officially or the risks and warnings will be upgraded to highest health hazard levels, in order to include all hidden risks - permanent erectile dysfunction, impotence, prostate cancer, depression, etc.

In the meantime, I see some doctors are becoming aware and say if they knew of these newly discovered hazards, they would never had prescribed it in the first place.

This person is single most misguided person on the forum. I’m usually quite tolerant when it comes to people’s opinions, but I am starting to believe that he might be a well disguised spammer associated with one of the anti-Propecia agenda websites. He is not providing good advice to new members of the forum and I’m shocked that he does not understand that both Beta-Sitosterol and Saw Palmetto can cause loss of libido and impotence. Persistent sexual sides effects have been reported by men taking these herbs for Prostate enlargement. To promote these herbs and sterols as a safe alternative to Propecia, is not only irresponsible, but completely wrong. This is not a matter of opinion, it is a fact! Anything that lowers DHT can cause sexual dysfunction in some men and sexual side effects from these natural products have been reported for many years.

[25 going on 65]

Glawre,

Please do not worry about StressedToTheBald's fear mongering. He is way out of line; I have started reporting his spam posts on a regular basis.

Do feel free to ask any questions you come up with. I don't mind if they are personal.

[2020]

half dose or not, propecia is hazardous.
It will very soon get banned officially or the risks and warnings will be upgraded to highest health hazard levels, in order to include all hidden risks - permanent erectile dysfunction, impotence, prostate cancer, depression, etc.

In the meantime, i see some doctors are becoming aware and say if they knew of these newly discovered hazards, they would never had prescribed it in the first place.

go away!!!

[StressedToTheBald]

Half dose or not, propecia is hazardous.
It will very soon get banned officially or the risks and warnings will be upgraded to highest health hazard levels, in order to include all hidden risks - permanent erectile dysfunction, impotence, prostate cancer, depression, etc.

In the meantime, I see some doctors are becoming aware and say if they knew of these newly discovered hazards, they would never had prescribed it in the first place.

[25 going on 65]

Within the first six months on the drug, I noticed a slight change in the texture of ejaculatory fluid. This has reverted over time, but I don't think it's 100% back to the way it was.
I'm not positive if it's from finasteride because I have very inconsistent, and often unhealthy, lifestyle choices (plus I am on a couple other medicines). I wouldn't be surprised if it was a mild fin side effect. If that's the case, though, it has been worth it to me.
It's also possible that I have less frequent morning erections, but I'm not sure about that one. (And the other medications I use can cause this as well.)

Otherwise, so far so good. I have a normal sex life and haven't seen any other changes.

[Glawre]

You're welcome.
My results have been good. I was about a NW2 with quite a bit of diffuse thinning; I have maintained and improved my hair all over my head, and in the crown. My hairline and temples are holding but I have not seen any regrowth in those areas. (To my knowledge, it's near impossible to regrow temple hairs once they fall out, unfortunately.)
There are 2 or 3 spots that are still a bit thinner than I would like. We'll see if they improve in the next 6-8 months, but I get the feeling I'm near the peak of this drug's results.
I also use 2% ketoconazole shampoo, but not minoxidil.

Thanks again. I hate to be personal but what about side effects?

[25 going on 65]

Thank you. I appreciate the feed back. How your results?

You're welcome.
My results have been good. I was about a NW2 with quite a bit of diffuse thinning; I have maintained and improved my hair all over my head, and in the crown. My hairline and temples are holding but I have not seen any regrowth in those areas. (To my knowledge, it's near impossible to regrow temple hairs once they fall out, unfortunately.)
There are 2 or 3 spots that are still a bit thinner than I would like. We'll see if they improve in the next 6-8 months, but I get the feeling I'm near the peak of this drug's results.
I also use 2% ketoconazole shampoo, but not minoxidil.

[Glawre]

Thank you. I appreciate the feed back. How your results?

[Glawre]

The examiner story is nothing to worry about. Dr. Irwig conducted his "study" by ranking 71 members of propeciahelp.com on the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale. In fact Spencer Kobren covered that story a year ago.
There isn't currently scientific evidence that finasteride causes permanent impotence or anything of the sort. I generally would advise against reading pop media articles about hair loss treatments.
Also, there are lawsuits against all kinds of drugs on a regular basis. They mean nothing in themselves. You often see lawyers advertising on television about a particular kind of medicine; it's how some of them make a living.

The rate of side effects for finasteride is quite low (though I agree it may be higher than 2-3%), and those that come up often resolve on their own while continuing the medication. I have been on 1.25 mg for over a year and I'm fine.
If you experience side effects on this drug, you can try a lower dose (.5 mg is a fine place to start).
Finally, don't take StressedToTheBald seriously. He's the resident troll on The Bald Truth at the moment, and probably won't have his account for long.

Good luck.

Thanks. I appreciate the feed back

[25 going on 65]

Man,
The examiner story is pretty damning. I may stop taking the medicine as this is not the first time I have heard this same information and from other articles.The facts are I do have side effects and everyone I know taking the medicine has side effects. Propecia is effective in restoring hair as I used it years ago. I thought half a dose may be the answer for me. Merck had listed the side effects in their original clinical study as less than 2% of men taking the medicine experienced side effects and most reported these went away. I noticed that the original Propicia/Merck website has been pulled down. This I am sure is because of pending legal action. Oh well, hair is over rated

The examiner story is nothing to worry about. Dr. Irwig conducted his "study" by ranking 71 members of propeciahelp.com on the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale. In fact Spencer Kobren covered that story a year ago.
There isn't currently scientific evidence that finasteride causes permanent impotence or anything of the sort. I generally would advise against reading pop media articles about hair loss treatments.
Also, there are lawsuits against all kinds of drugs on a regular basis. They mean nothing in themselves. You often see lawyers advertising on television about a particular kind of medicine; it's how some of them make a living.

The rate of side effects for finasteride is quite low (though I agree it may be higher than 2-3%), and those that come up often resolve on their own while continuing the medication. I have been on 1.25 mg for over a year and I'm fine.
If you experience side effects on this drug, you can try a lower dose (.5 mg is a fine place to start).
Finally, don't take StressedToTheBald seriously. He's the resident troll on The Bald Truth at the moment, and probably won't have his account for long.

Good luck.

[Glawre]

Ive been taking a half dose for 6 years , it works.

Question on the half dose you have been taking for 6 years. Have you seen a big difference? Has it been effective. What about side effects.

Thanks for the feedback.

Gary