Download DRUGS AND MEDICINAL PRODUCTS AGAINST HAIR LOSS

EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE AESTHETIC OPERATIONS AND TREATMENTS
DRUGS AND MEDICINAL PRODUCTS AGAINST HAIR LOSS
They are divided into DHT inhibitors – finasteride and dutasteride, followed
by stimulants of hair growth – minoxidil and finally anti-inflammatory
preparations – special shampoos.
Finasteride (for men) is an oral drug. It is mostly known under the
trade names Propecia, Proscar, FIncat, Finax, Finara, Prosteride, Gefina. It
is primarily used for the treatment of enlarged prostate, and the discovery
of its effect on hair growth was accidental. It inhibits the 5-alpha-reductase
enzyme, whereby the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone
(DHT) is disabled.
Finasteride is nowadays avoided in the stimulation of hair growth due to its
many side-effects (post-finasteride syndrome) which may last for months,
even years after the cessation of its use. These side-effects are: weakened
libido, erectile dysfunction, difficulty in reaching an orgasm or its fading,
depression, Peyronie’s disease and gynaecomasty.
Dutasteride is known under the trade name Avodart. It has almost
identical properties as finasteride, only its effect in the treatment of prostate
is greater. By contrast to finasteride, the FDA did not approve it in the
treatment of baldness.
Minoxidil (2% for women and 5% for men) is a solution for external
use. It is known as Rogaine, Regaine, Mintop, Avacor. It was initially used to
treat increased blood pressure, and only later the effect of hair growth was
accidentally observed. With regard that it expands blood vessels, it enables a
better circulation in the scalp.
Although these drugs have a scientifically proven effect on hair growth
in a certain percentage of patients, they show side-effects and negative
consequences.
Thus, in long-term use of finasteride and dutasteride in a certain proportion of
men depression is observed, along with impotence, disorders of ejaculation,
erectile dysfunction, breast growth, reduced libido and increased hairiness all
over the body. For minoxil it has been established that it interferes with heart
function, influences blood pressure, causes redness, itching and dandruff on
the scalp. All in all, not a nice picture, especially when we know that we are
dealing with men between the age of 20 and 50, a period of life in which it is
difficult to put up with side-effects which discourage sexual life.
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