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Does Androanagen Taken For Alopecia Cause Loss Of Libido?

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Posted on Tue, 3 Jun 2014
Question: Dr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX from HCM had recommended androanagen and follihair tablets for treating androgenic alopecia.
Would like a second opinion on both the tablets.
!) I read on internet that andro anagen can cause loss of libido etc..i am getting married soon so dont want to take risk
2) I saw hairvit caps by healthaid at chemist shop. how good are those? they are comparatively cheaper than both the medicines put together.
Pls advise
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Androgenetic Alopecia

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic

I am Dr. Kakkar . I have gone through your query and I have understood it.

First of all, I want to convey my best wishes to you for you married life.

1) Androanagen tablets contain Saw-Palmetto extract as the main active ingredient. It is plant derived and is promoted as an alternative to Finasteride (5 alpha reductase inhibitor) in the treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia. While Finasteride can have side effects like decreased sexual drive and loss of libido in 1-2 % of patients, the main advantage of Androanagen is that it is as effective as Finasteride but devoid of the side effects of Finasteride. So, i totally agree with Dr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

2) Follihair tablets OR Hairvit Capsules are basically similar to each other. They are both vitamin and aminoacid supplements. Though they have no direct role in Androgenetic alopecia per se, but they supplement hair growth. You can take either of these.

Besides Androanagen, Minoxidil 5% solution (Mintop forte solution) is also recommended to be applied at the scalp skin (1 ml morning and 1 ml evening). Minoxidil is a non-specific hair growth promoter and is approved for treatmnet of Androgenetic Alopecia along with either Finasteride OR Androanagen.

A ketoconazole based shampoo (Nizral 2%) completes the treatment armamentarium for Androgenetic alopecia. Nizral 2% solution is marketed by Johnsons &Johnsons in XXXXXXX Ketoconazole exerts a local antiandrogen effect on the scalp skin and thus is claimed to be beneficial along with Minoxidil and Androanagen/Finasteride.

regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (29 minutes later)
1)how often should ketoconozole shampoo be used? isnt it too harsh for daily use...
2)also if saw palametto is anti Dth like finastride would the working methodology be same and hence can it also have some ill effects.
3) what if it dont take andro anagen and take only hair vit.. how effective will that be..
thank you in anticipation of your answer. .
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (35 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Androgenetic alopecia

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

1) Ketoconazole shampoo can be safely used, daily OR else you may use it on alternate days as well. It does'nt damage hair. Moreover, since Minoxidil solution has an alcohol base (40% alcohol v/v) therefore using it on scalp causes some amount of dryness and scaling which is taken care by ketoconazole shampoo, which is essentially antidandruff in nature.

2) The mechanism of action of Saw Palmetto is similar to Finasteride (inhibition of DHT) but it is devoid of sexual side effects like decreased libido because sexual side effect usually occur at high doses (320mg) used for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) patients and not at the usual doses (100mg-160mg) used for Androgenetic alopecia patients.

3) Hairvit will be totally ineffective for androgenetic alopecia.

regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (18 minutes later)
hi thanks for your quick reply.. One last query how is alpecin shampoo.. does this caffeine shampoo help in hair loss? thnks..
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Androgenetic alopecia

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Yes, Alpecin shampoo does help, as does Alpecin liquid. They can be used for hair loss, but these are premium products and thus therapy turns out to be quite costly.

regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Kakkar

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 9612 Questions

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Does Androanagen Taken For Alopecia Cause Loss Of Libido?

Brief Answer: Androgenetic Alopecia Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic I am Dr. Kakkar . I have gone through your query and I have understood it. First of all, I want to convey my best wishes to you for you married life. 1) Androanagen tablets contain Saw-Palmetto extract as the main active ingredient. It is plant derived and is promoted as an alternative to Finasteride (5 alpha reductase inhibitor) in the treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia. While Finasteride can have side effects like decreased sexual drive and loss of libido in 1-2 % of patients, the main advantage of Androanagen is that it is as effective as Finasteride but devoid of the side effects of Finasteride. So, i totally agree with Dr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX 2) Follihair tablets OR Hairvit Capsules are basically similar to each other. They are both vitamin and aminoacid supplements. Though they have no direct role in Androgenetic alopecia per se, but they supplement hair growth. You can take either of these. Besides Androanagen, Minoxidil 5% solution (Mintop forte solution) is also recommended to be applied at the scalp skin (1 ml morning and 1 ml evening). Minoxidil is a non-specific hair growth promoter and is approved for treatmnet of Androgenetic Alopecia along with either Finasteride OR Androanagen. A ketoconazole based shampoo (Nizral 2%) completes the treatment armamentarium for Androgenetic alopecia. Nizral 2% solution is marketed by Johnsons &Johnsons in XXXXXXX Ketoconazole exerts a local antiandrogen effect on the scalp skin and thus is claimed to be beneficial along with Minoxidil and Androanagen/Finasteride. regards