14 years on finasteride and contemplating stopping

[Paddydukes]

I just turned 41 and have been using finasteride 1mg and minoxidle for about 14 years. A 30 day supply would usually last me a month and a half so I will generally not take the pill every day. Recently talking to my physician he asked if I thought about stopping and kind of questioned why I would want to be on this medication for 14 years and hinted maybe it can be harmful long term. I've had no side effects with fin and have kept most of my hair. I'm definitely thin on the top around my crown and receding a little in the front but Im 41 and feel I would maybe be a lot worse if I haven't taken fin over the last 14 years. I'm thinking about stopping cold turkey but am scared I'll start losing all my hair. Any suggestions? Would you quit if you never had any side effects? Can using fin long term be harmful? Thanks

[JSmyth]

I would say take some time off the meds and see how you feel. Don't stop cold turkey though. Spend a month or two weening off of the medication.

[k9gatton]

People usually have issues when they stop (a minority of people, probably around five percent). That is why it is called Post Finasteride Syndrome. So, stopping gradually is probably thebest idea.


But if you stop, you will probably lose all of the gains you made in the past fourteen years. I just started, and I'm in my mid/late forties. It's been doing a lot for me, and quite honestly, I wished I started fifteen years ago. I only used Minoxidil up until 42/43 (surpisingly). Went between a Norwood four and five.

Now added liquid Finasteride and a lot of liquid Progesterone, combined with thirty percent Minoxidil. That and occasionally solid Finasteride. Gradually went from a four to a Norwood three v. It's too late to get my hairline back, but I'll take whatever I get.