stopping finasteride after procedure?

[asianguy]

What happens when someone gets a procedure done and starts on finasteride but finds out they have really bad side effects within 6 months and need to stop? How will this effect the results of the procedure?

[skipstah70]

What happens when someone gets a procedure done and starts on finasteride but finds out they have really bad side effects within 6 months and need to stop? How will this effect the results of the procedure?

It will look half as good or less IMO. Propecia is as responsible as the transplant itself for those great transplant "success stories". I wish more docs would post the exact specs of the medication these guys are taking in the after photos.

[asianguy]

Do you consider it half as good because less transplanted donor hair will grow or more native hairs will shed due to trauma (giving the overall hair a thinner look)? I thought DHT generally does not affect donor hair? So finasteride shouldn't affect transplanted hair?

[skipstah70]

Do you consider it half as good because less transplanted donor hair will grow or more native hairs will shed due to trauma (giving the overall hair a thinner look)? I thought DHT generally does not affect donor hair? So finasteride shouldn't affect transplanted hair?

In theory you are right, the DHT should not affect the transplanted hair, but i have yet to see a great hair transplant where the guy is not taking propecia after it, and I have seen many bad ones where three patient is not taking it. I know they advise taking propecia to stabilize any further hair loss, but many of those great ' after' photos are also benefiting g a denser look and better coverage due to propecia IMHO.

[Jcm800]

In theory you are right, the DHT should not affect the transplanted hair, but i have yet to see a great hair transplant where the guy is not taking propecia after it, and I have seen many bad ones where three patient is not taking it. I know they advise taking propecia to stabilize any further hair loss, but many of those great ' after' photos are also benefiting g a denser look and better coverage due to propecia IMHO.

The forum member 'chrisis' has had an op, he's not taking Finasteride, his hair currently looks fantastic.

[John P. Cole, MD]

Propecia will not have any influence on your grafts. Many patients stop Propecia after a procedure. I saw one today who really thinned out over the past 3 years. He thinned in areas that looked fantastic 3 years ago so we did not graft them. One may theorize that his hair loss accelerated because he stopped taking propecia. One could also surmise that he was going to loose his hair regardless of propecia.

It is true that not all individuals respond to Propecia. Some think they are slowing down their hair loss, but the hair loss proceeds while on Propecia. Perhaps the Propecia was doing nothing. Perhaps they stopped responding to Propecia.

We do know that Propecia can increase hair and we know that it can retard hair loss over a 10 year span. We know that many individuals refuse to take it because it is a chemical. We know that some people have adverse events from Propecia so they stop it.

One thing we do not have is data to suggest that hair transplants are better with Propecia. All we can do is theorize that you will be better off on Propecia. I encourage all men with AGA to take Propecia. However, the bottom line is that many men never take it and many others stop it. Those off Propecia respond well to hair transplants.

I'd rather see you stay on it, but it's not the end of the world if you stop it.

[gillenator]

Dr. Cole,

I started low dose finasteride in April of 1996 and then went directly on Propecia in 2000 when I could afford it.

Then in 2001, you were kind enough to supply me with it when I worked for you...

I am in my 18th year of using low dose finasteride, still cutting proscar, and still hanging onto my native hair in the midscalp and crown...

Am still thankful for the surgery and natural hair line that you did for me my friend!

[Jcm800]

That's great, what low dosage are you taking? Hard to decide whether to take it or not.. Sides scare me, but it's nice to read positive stories about it.

[gillenator]

That's great, what low dosage are you taking? Hard to decide whether to take it or not.. Sides scare me, but it's nice to read positive stories about it.

My primary doctor prescribes me scripts for Proscar (5mg finasteride) and then I use a pill cutter to dissect the pill into 4 pieces. It comes out to 1.25 mg daily. It saves me a lot of money and been doing it for years. Proscar was and still is used for the treatment of the prostate gland and its corresponding enlargement from colon cancer.

A couple of things though. If you are planning to start a family, I discourage the practice of cutting Proscar. The active ingredient (finasteride) can potentially expose any female to the drug and subsequently have an adverse effect on the development of the genetalia of the baby.

The nice thing about Propecia is that it has a good outer coating. Still, Merck puts a vivid warning on the labeling against females handling the pills and even the container that it comes in. There are powder residuals in any pill container.

In addition, if you do choose the Proscar route, be sure that your prescribing physician documents your medical chart that he/she is doing so for treating MPB, not colon cancer. This is important because just in case any male get colon cancer, the health insurance plan may not cover treatment because they could potentially claim that the individual has a pre-existing condition and subsequently deny the claim. And the other thing I do not like about men using Proscar is that some are tempted to take the entire 5 mg pill daily thinking more is better for treating hair loss efficiently. It clearly is not.

Lastly, I just want to emphasize that my practice of cutting Proscar is clearly not a recommendation to anyone nor is it to be construed as my offering any medical advice as I am not a doctor nor a licensed physician.

[Jcm800]

Thanks for your in depth reply. To be honest if I started it it be on a smaller dose, a quarter perhaps EOD, not sure.

Planning a family wouldn't ever be a concern now for me, but, i guess I've read so many side effect stories I'm indoctrinated now. I do believe many men do take the drug tho and live happily ever after tho as well..

It's just pulling the trigger to find out if it's you..

[gillenator]

You're very welcome my friend. I think the potential side-effects are still a dilemma for many men who are considering starting low dose finasteride.

What I mean by this is that there are real side-effects that go unreported such as tenderness of the breasts and things like that other than the sexual side-effects.

I also believe that the sexual side-effects are higher in number than reported, roughly three percent. I think it's more like fifteen percent or even slightly higher. I base this opinion on endless observations since Propecia was introduced.

Yet a fair number of men perceive they are having them and it may be a matter of psyche in some cases. Some of the younger men convince themselves that they will have them even before they start the medication.

As you stated, you will never know until you try it yet I also want to encourage you to do so "only" under the direction and supervision of a licensed physician. If you start low dose finasteride outside of the prescribed dosage, you may not experience true success.

Propecia was developed in an environment of stringent ongoing clinical trials and henceforth the dosage of 1mg daily was established based on both efficiency as well as noted side-effects among other factors considered before the FDA approved it for release.

Sadly, I continue to see men of all ages go immediately to the internet to purchase various forms of finasteride without first consulting a licensed physician. This IMHO is a huge mistake. Why? There are various types and sources of alopecia and in some cases, the individual does not even have MPB...

It is critical to be physically examined by your doctor to determine a "formal diagnosis" for MPB before they will want to prescribe Propecia or any other form of low dose finasteride.

Then, and only after taking the proper daily dosage, should the individual experience side-effects, the doctor may suggest downgrading the dosage and/or frequency to achieve the correct balance of ingestion and efficiency.

We all react differently especially when it comes to various medications including dutasteride, another prostrate drug. And finasteride has a long shelf-life so IMHO, there is some room for adjustment which again is my personal opinion.

Wishing you the best Jcm800 as you contemplate your informed decisions. And the key word my friend is informed...

[Jcm800]

A much appreciated reply there Sir. Thank you.

I guess another aspect, and the one that really does scare me.. Is post Finasteride syndrome. Crashing a couple of weeks after cessation of the drug.

That really is a cruel twist of fate if it occurs.

That and gynaecomastia, those two potential conditions frighten the life out of me. Oh and brain fog.

I appreciate the 1mg dosage is the approved amount as well. I actually went to see my GP and asked about Finasteride a year ago, he didn't have much idea, just said "take it, every drug has side effects, go for it".

I'm soon to turn 45, getting older but still youngish looking for my age. Hairloss is becoming noticeable now tho. I do feel Fin could help me, but damn, it's hard making the decision.

Thanks kindly for your informative replies.