Posts Tagged ‘Main Ingredient’
About Propecia
Propecia is used for the treatment of male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in men with established efficacy in ages between 18 to 41 years. But, hair re-growth is possible only in men with mild to moderate hair loss of the vertex and anterior mid-scalp area. However, the efficacy of Propecia has not been established in men with bitemporal recession.
Finasteride, the main ingredient in Propecia, blocks the conversion of testosterone into DHT, thereby stopping hair loss and aiding in hair re-growth. Finasteride comes in tablet form and is available in strength of 1mg only for hair loss treatment. In addition, numerous side effects have been reported with this drug, including impotence, decreased libido, and breast enlargement.
Brand-name finasteride (Proscar or Propecia) is manufactured by Merck and Co., Inc.
About Male Pattern Baldness
Male pattern baldness is a universal condition found in men who experience thinning of the hair on the scalp which starts with a gradual decline in men in their 20s. Oftentimes, this thinning of hair results in a receding hairline and/or balding on the top of the head.
It is generally believed by the doctors that male pattern baldness is by and large due to heredity and in addition, depends on hormonal effects also. This type of hair loss is generally referred to as androgenetic alopecia.
Hair is made up of hair follicles which are tiny pouch like bags found just under the surface of the skin. A single hair will stay in the follicle for about 3 years which is then shed and a new hair grows from the same follicle. This cycle of growth, shedding and new growth goes on throughout one’s life. The following pattern thought to occur in men as they gradually become bald which includes:
• Affected hair follicles on the scalp gradually become smaller than normal
• As the follicle shrinks, each new hair is thinner than the previous one
• Before falling out, each new hair grows for much less time than the normal 3 years or so
• Eventually, all that remains is a much smaller hair follicle and a thin stump of hair that does not grow out to the skin surface
Male hormones are responsible for these changes. Hair follicles convert testosterone, the male hormone, into another hormone called dihydrotestosterone. For reasons not yet unveiled, affected hair follicles become more sensitive to dihydrotestosterone, which causes the hair follicles to shrink. However, it is known that different hair follicles are affected at different times which make the balding process gradual.
Moreover, it is also not clear why only scalp hair is affected, and not the hair in the other areas like the beard or the armpits in men. But, male pattern baldness occurs gradually over time. Similarly, Propecia also has a gradual effect on hair re-growth.
Propecia for Men Hair Loss treatment
For most men, Propecia aids in increasing the number of scalp hair in the first year of treatment itself. Propecia helps to fill in the thin or balding areas of the scalp. In addition, hair loss slows down. Although, the results may vary, generally it is not possible to re-grow all of the lost hair. However, there is no proof as to Propecia working in the treatment of receding hairline in the temporal area on both sides of the head.
Propecia must be taken daily for three months or more before any benefit can be seen. Known to work over the long term, Propecia is an ongoing treatment for hair re-growth. However, if Propecia has not worked for you in twelve months, further treatment is not likely to bring any benefit. In addition, if Propecia intake is stopped, there will be a likely loss in the hair that was gained within 12 months of stopping treatment.
How does Propecia work?
Finasteride, the main ingredient in Propecia, is a competitive and specific inhibitor of Type II 5a-reductase, an intracellular enzyme that converts the androgen testosterone into DHT. Two distinct isozymes found in humans, Type I and II, are differentially expressed in tissues at different developmental stages. In humans, Type I 5a-reductase is predominant in the sebaceous glands including the scalp and liver and is responsible for approximately one-third of circulating DHT. Meanwhile, Type II 5a-reductase isozyme is primarily found in the prostate, seminal vesicles, epididymides, hair follicles and the liver and is responsible for two-thirds of the circulating DHT.
In humans, finateride’s mechanism of action is primarily based on its preferential inhibition of the Type II isozyme. For both isozymes, finasteride inhibits and reduces the inhibitor to dihydrofinasteride. The turnover for the enzyme complex is slow and therefore the hair re-growth is slow.
Finasteride has no similarity with the androgen receptor and has no androgenic, antiandrogenic, estrogenic, antiestrogenic, or progestational effects. Propecia produces a rapid reduction in serum DHT concentration and has the ability to reach about 65% suppression within 24 hours of taking the 1mg oral dose.
In men with androgenetic alopecia, the balding scalp contains miniaturized hair follicles and increased amounts of DHT as compared to a hairy scalp. Use of Propecia successfully reduces scalp and serum DHT concentrations in these men. By this mechanism, finasteride interrupts a key factor in the progress of androgenetic alopecia in those patients who are genetically predisposed.
Who should buy Propecia?
Propecia has been introduced for the treatment of male pattern hair loss in men and should not be taken by women or children. Propecia can be taken by:
• Men only above the age of 18 years
• Anyone who is not allergic to any of the ingredients of Propecia
Women who are or may potentially be pregnant should not use Propecia or handle crushed or broken Propecia tablets. Because, if a pregnant woman with a male baby absorbs the active ingredient in Propecia, either by swallowing or through the skin, it may cause abnormalities to foetus’ genital organs.
Propecia dosages
Propecia 1mg tablet is meant for oral administration and is the recommended daily dosage. These tablets are film-coated and contain 1mg of finasteride. it may be administered with or without meals.
In general, three months of regular use of Propecia is required before any benefit can be observed. Continuous use is recommended to sustain gained benefits. Withdrawal of treatment will lead to reversal of effect within 12 months.
Coated Propecia tablets help prevent contact with the active ingredient finasteride during normal handling, provided that the tablets are not broken or crushed.
Propecia (finasteride) is a synthetic 4-azasteroid compound and a specific inhibitor of steroid Type II 5a-reductase which is an intracellular enzyme that converts androgen testosterone into 5a-dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Information about the Author:
Hair Loss Articles: http://www.article-buzz.com
What is Propecia?
Propecia is a medication that is used to treat male pattern baldness at the crown and in the middle of the scalp. It should be used by adult men only.
Finasteride, the main ingredient in Propecia, works by blocking the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. Propecia reduces the amount of a natural body hormone (DHT). The hair follicles are then not affected by this hormone, and can enlarge back to normal. A significant decrease in the DHT levels lead to increased hair re-growth and slower hair loss. However, hair growth on other parts of the body is not affected by finasteride.
With Propecia there is a good chance that hair will re-grow, or at least stop any further hair loss.
• It takes about 4 months before any Propecia effect is noticed and may take about 1-2 years for full hair growth.
• If Propecia treatment is stopped, all the regained hair is lost within twelve months. Therefore, treatment must be continued to sustain hair growth.
• Side-effects with Propecia are otherwise rare but about 2 in 100 treated men report loss of sex drive (libido).
• Propecia is not known to work in women with male pattern baldness.
• Propecia is expensive and can only be bought with a private prescription from a pharmacy.
Why Propecia for hair loss treatment?
Propecia helps in lowering the levels of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the scalp and the blood by blocking the enzyme that metabolises DHT. It is believed that male pattern hair loss is more often than not rooted in heredity and DHT levels. DHT is known to be a major contributor to shortening of the growth phase and thinning of the hair resulting from increased levels of DHT in the scalp.
In order for a successful turn around, Propecia must be taken daily for three months or more before any benefits are visible. Because hair grows very slowly, about half an inch a month, most men only begin to see the benefit of Propecia after 3-6 months of continuous use. Generally, all the hair that is lost will not grow back, yet the results are quite promising. In case the treatment has not worked for you in 12 months, continuing the treatment is unlikely to be of any further benefit. But if you stop taking Propecia, you are likely to lose the hair you have gained within 12 months of stopping the treatment.
How effective is Propecia over other hair loss products?
Propecia works to inhibit the formation of DHT in the system. Reducing the overall DHT levels on a constant basis diminishes the adverse effects of the DHT on the hair follicles, resulting in cessation of hair loss.
Propecia is the newest clinically proven treatment on the market for men experiencing severe hair loss. In addition, Propecia also has the longest, most successful run of any treatment that has undergone FDA trials successfully wherein majority of people still maintain healthy hair counts.
The statistics further reveal the efficacy of Propecia.
Propecia
• 17% Improved
• 66% Maintained
• 1% Visible Loss
Other Products
• 7% Improved
• 30% Maintained
• 33% Visible Loss
Propecia precautions
Propecia is not designated for use in pediatric patients. Safety and effectiveness of Propecia has not been established in pediatric patients.
Women must not handle crushed or broken Propecia tablets when they are pregnant or may potentially be pregnant because of the possibility of absorption of finasteride and a potential risk to the male foetus. However, Propecia tablets are coated and will prevent contact with the active ingredient during normal handling, provided the tablets are not broken or crushed.
Caution should be used in the administration of Propecia in patients with liver function abnormalities, as finasteride is metabolized extensively in the liver.
As it is not known whether finasteride is excreted in human milk, lactating mothers should also not handle finasteride tablets.
Clinical efficacy studies with Propecia have not been conducted in men aged 65 and over. Based on the pharmacokinetics of finasteride 5 mg, no dosage adjustment is necessary in the elderly for Propecia. However drug efficacy in the elderly has not been established.
Further precautions include:
• Prior to Propecia use, inform your doctor about allergies to ingredients in the drug or about any other allergies that you might have.
• Prior to Propecia use, tell your doctor about your medical history, especially if you have any liver disease, prostate cancer, infections, or urinary problems.
Where to buy Propecia?
Propecia is a prescription medicine and supply can be arranged from any genuine online pharmacy on the prescription of a registered doctor. Regulations for dispensing medicines allow a maximum of three months to be prescribed at one time. When the initial supply of Propecia has been taken, a repeat consultation is available at a reduced price.
When participating in an online consultation procedure, a doctor reviews your information and if found appropriate for your condition a prescription for Propecia is issued. This prescription is processed and dispatched directly to you. Parcels containing your medication are delivered at your doorstep in a discreet packaging.
Propecia, a prescription drug, is commonly used for the treatment of male pattern baldness in men. While Propecia does not cure hair loss, it effectively stops hair loss and aids in hair re-growth. Available in tablet form, Propecia comes as a single strength dosing option.
Information about the Author:
Hair Loss Articles: http://www.article-buzz.com