HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Is Finasteride Safe To Take For Hair Fall?

default
Posted on Tue, 5 Jul 2016
Question: Hello Doctor

I had taken advice from you on Minoxidil Solution and finasteride 1mg Tablet. I am taking medicines from 1st December 2015 onwards regularly. Lotion on dry scapl twice a day and medicine everyday without fail. Could you see the latest pictures. You had asked me to continue this for 10-12 months. Please advice the next course of action and let me know if finasteride 1mg is a safe medicine without side effects for long term.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I suggest you to further continue with both minoxidil and finasteride

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to me.

I have reviewed the Images.
So its been more than 5 months since you have been using minoxidil solution and finasteride. You must have noticed some change in your hair fall and hair thickness by now? I can definitely make out the change in the images.
I advice you to continue the above treatment for 1-2 years. Thereafter you may continue with just the tablet, lifelong.
Finasteride is US FDA approved for this indication and its is available for use since 1990's. Finasteride is mostly without side effects, however, some patients (1-2%) may notice a temporary reduction in sexual drive, particularly at start of therapy. This side effect is temporary and goes away with continued treatment.
A small number of patients may also notice gynecomastia i.e male breast, after long term use of finasteride.
Apart from these rare side effects finasteride is absolutely safe for long term use in androgenetic alopecia.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (12 minutes later)
Have you seen the previous images as well which I had sent via Customer Care of Healthcare Magic ? I am curious to know if the overall treatment of 29 months (Homeopathy and then Allopathy) has worked for me.

I too have noticed temporary reduction in sexual drive immediately after the intake of medicines and it is still there. I had a healthy sexual drive before taking this medicine.

I have been advised by a cousin that it reduces the sperm count in the long run and plays around with Hormones and affect their secretions. Can you comment on that doctor.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Finasteride does not decrease sperm count

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Yes. I have reviewed the images. I think you can notice some improvement in the form of density though its been only just 5 months of combination therapy wirh minoxidil and finasteride whereas maximal efficacy is seen only after 1-2 years of treatment therefore you can expect things to improve further with continued treatment. I would not count homeopathy as specific treatment for androgenetic alopecia. As far safety of finasteride is concerned, there is no such issue of decrease in sperm count with finasteride.

Regards
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Kakkar

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 9612 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Is Finasteride Safe To Take For Hair Fall?

Brief Answer: I suggest you to further continue with both minoxidil and finasteride Detailed Answer: Hello. Thank you for writing to me. I have reviewed the Images. So its been more than 5 months since you have been using minoxidil solution and finasteride. You must have noticed some change in your hair fall and hair thickness by now? I can definitely make out the change in the images. I advice you to continue the above treatment for 1-2 years. Thereafter you may continue with just the tablet, lifelong. Finasteride is US FDA approved for this indication and its is available for use since 1990's. Finasteride is mostly without side effects, however, some patients (1-2%) may notice a temporary reduction in sexual drive, particularly at start of therapy. This side effect is temporary and goes away with continued treatment. A small number of patients may also notice gynecomastia i.e male breast, after long term use of finasteride. Apart from these rare side effects finasteride is absolutely safe for long term use in androgenetic alopecia. Regards