Finasteride is a prescription medication used to treat male pattern baldness. It is available as a generic medication and as Propecia, a brand name medication manufactured by Merck & Company. Finasteride belongs to a class of drugs called 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors. It was first approved by the FDA in 1992 as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate) and later approved as a hair loss treatment.
Here are some details about finasteride:
Positive effects:
- Finasteride can help improve hair density and lead to an improvement in hair count while slowing or stopping the rate of hair loss.
- Many Finasteride users have reported hair regrowth and an increase in thickness.
- Finasteride is generally highly effective at protecting hair when used properly.
Negative effects:
- Some people may experience side effects such as decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and decreased ejaculate volume.
- Finasteride should not be used by women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, as it can cause birth defects in male fetuses.
Ingredients or materials:
- Finasteride is a white crystalline powder with a melting point near 250°C.
- Each finasteride tablet contains 1 mg of finasteride and the following inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, corn starch, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, docusate sodium, talc, sodium starch glycolate type A potato, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, yellow iron oxide, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol, and iron oxide red.
Its important to note that finasteride needs to be taken on an ongoing basis to remain effective, and if you stop prematurely, you may start to lose the hair you’ve regrown.
