Hair loss

Choose the best hair loss treatment

There are a variety of conditions that cause hair loss, ranging from alopecia to side effects from medications. But a lot of men lose their hair naturally as they get older, and turn to treatment for help.

Depending on the cause of your hair loss, there may be a prescription medication that can help slow your hair loss down, or even help you some if it back. But with so many medications available, you need to understand how each works, and who they’re best for.

On this page we’ll look at the main treatments for hair loss, and explore them in more detail.

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Active ingredient

Available doses

Form

Made/marketed by

Pharmacy Status

Prices starting at

Works in

Finasteride

Generic version of Propecia. Daily tablet that stops hair loss and encourages hair growth.

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Finasteride

1mg

Tablet

Generic

Prescription

$58.95

3-6 months

Propecia

Finasteride

Like Finasteride, but the branded version. Once a day tablet that slows down hair loss.

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Finasteride

1mg

Tablet

Organon

Prescription

$229.95

3-6 months

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Manufacturers subject to change.
Start and duration of effects are estimations.
For more detailed information on your medication, read the patient information leaflet.

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What are the different types of hair loss treatment?

There are different types of hair loss. Sometimes hair falls out suddenly, and other times it thins more slowly. Male pattern baldness happens more as men get older, and genetics play a huge part in this. But sometimes hair loss can also be a secondary symptom of a disease or a side effect of a treatment regimen like chemotherapy.

You should discuss any hair loss that happens suddenly, or that’s caused by an illness or medication with your doctor. They’ll be able to offer further advice or adjust your medication to help with the problem.

Male pattern baldness, also known as hereditary baldness or androgenetic alopecia, won’t have an adverse effect on your physical health. Many men accept it, but some men may seek treatment if they’re anxious or reluctant to lose their hair.

There are a variety of medications that are formulated to help regrow your hair:

Propecia
Finasteride
Minoxidil

Each of these is used to treat male-pattern baldness. Propecia/Finasteride is an 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs). 5-ARIs decrease the amount of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) produced in the body. This, in turn, reduces male-pattern hair loss. Rogaine/Minoxidil, on the other hand, is a vasodilator. It works to reduce hair loss by increasing blood flow to your hair follicles.

Propecia (Finasteride)

Propecia (finasteride) is a prescription medication that is used to treat male-pattern hair loss. Men who suffer from male-pattern hair loss get it from genetics and higher concentrations of DHT. While you can’t change your genetic predisposition to hair loss, Propecia (finasteride) works to reduce the levels of DHT in your body to reduce hair loss. The dose of Finasteride for hair loss is 1mg daily.

It’s easy to take Propecia (finasteride). Simply take one pill every day. You can take it with or without food. Stop taking it and tell your doctor if you exhibit any symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Pros and Cons of Finasteride

Like any other medication, there are pros and cons for taking Propecia (finasteride). It’s easy to remember to take a single pill each day. Propecia (finasteride) is a very effective hair loss treatment that works for almost 90% of men. Since they have the same formulation, generic finasteride effectiveness is the same as Propecia.
The side effects for Propecia (finasteride) include a variety of allergy symptoms, as well as altered moods. This can manifest as depression but a study leveraging data from the World Health Organization’s database, has found an association between finasteride and suicidality but the reason for the link has not been determined. Another important potential side effects is the so-called Post-Finasteride syndrome. A controversial condition consisting of reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, depression and gynecomastia reported by men who have taken oral finasteride and discontinued it. Despite these rare side effects, finasteride remains one of the best hair loss treatments on the market.

Regaine (Minoxidil)

Regaine (minoxidil) is a foam that is topically applied to your scalp. It is the most popular form of minoxidil. Other forms of minoxidil include a pill called Loniten that isn’t recommended for hair loss, and as a topical spray for hair loss.

Minoxidil is a vasodilator that increases blood flow to your scalp, encouraging hair growth. While it isn’t as easy to take as a pill, applying minoxidil to your scalp isn’t a big deal. It can be a convenient and reliable treatment for people suffering from hair loss. While Regaine is primarily for men, there’s also a formulation for women.

Pros and cons of minoxidil

The pros and cons of minoxidil should be considered before starting treatment. Tablet medications like finasteride and dutasteride have a higher risk for side effects because they circulate throughout your body, whereas Regaine (minoxidil) is topically applied to your scalp. As a result, the risk of side effects for Regaine (minoxidil) is lower, making it one of the best hair growth products for men.
The side effects from Regaine (minoxidil) are usually localised to your scalp. These include itching, rash and headache. You may also have an allergic reaction including facial and throat swelling, heart palpitations, and low blood pressure. If you experience any signs that you are allergic to Regaine (minoxidil), immediately discontinue use and talk to your doctor about other treatments for hair loss.

What is the best hair loss treatment for men?

The best hair loss treatment for men depends on individual factors. Different people experience different results from treatment. Your doctor will review your medical history and the cause for your hair loss to determine which treatment regimen to pursue.

Propecia, Finasteride and Rogaine are all effective treatments for male-pattern hair loss. Determining the appropriate medication for you depends on a variety of factors: allergies, convenience, cause of hair loss, and personal preference.

Your doctor will tell you to immediately discontinue use of any medication that elicits an allergic reaction for you. Even if it’s a mild reaction. Hair growth isn’t worth risking your life, as allergic reactions increase in severity with each exposure and can even lead to death.

If convenient treatment regimens are important to you, choosing a medication that is a simple pill to swallow may appeal to you. Applying a foam like Rogaine (minoxidil) may seem like a hassle and not worth the trouble in this case. The easily swallowed Propecia (finasteride) will have more appeal.

Aside from convenience, you may prefer a drug that has a higher rate of effectiveness or that is specifically formulated as a hair loss treatment. Propecia (finasteride) works for nearly 90% of men and Rogaine (minoxidil) is effective for over 80% of men.

Whatever your reasons, the hair loss treatment you choose will depend upon the discussion you have with your doctor. The most important part is that you thoroughly research each option to determine which medication attributes are most important to you.

How to safely use hair loss treatments

Using medication to treat hair loss can be effective. Just like other treatments, it can carry risks. In order to use these options safely, you should be careful to choose medications that are proven to be safe. If you experience any adverse side effects, be sure to tell your physician.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

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