Propecia and What It Can Do for You
Friday, July 3rd, 2009Interested in exploring hair-loss treatments? Heard about Propecia and want to find out more? Here’s a quick introduction to get you going in the right direction.
What Is Propecia?
Propecia is a drug that regrows visible, natural-looking hair.[1] Propecia has been proven to block the formation of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in men with male-pattern hair loss, and this can contribute to a decrease in or arrest of baldness. Clinical studies have shown that men who took Propecia maintained or increased their numbers of visible scalp hairs and that many noticed an improvement in overall hair maintenance and growth.[2] Propecia is the only pill for male-pattern hair loss approved for use worldwide. Data from double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials first demonstrated the safety and efficacy of Propecia in 1,553 men aged 18 to 41 years old with mild-to-moderate male-pattern baldness (androgentic alopecia) in the vertex region (top of the head).[3] More than 90% of men who use Propecia get visible results.[4] Propecia is also used as a treatment in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in low doses, and in prostate cancer in higher doses.[5]
How Do I Use Propecia?
Propecia is taken as a pill orally and works systemically.[6] The medication must be taken every day for the rest of your life or until more effective treatments become available.[7] This drug should be taken with a full glass of water, with or without food.[8] Propecia should be stored in a sealed bottle away from moisture, heat, and light at room temperature.[9] The medication is not indicated for use in females, and pregnant or breast-feeding women should not handle broken Propecia tablets.[10] If a woman accidentally comes into contact with this medicine from a broken or crushed pill, she should wash the affected area with soap and water immediately.[11]
What Are the Side Effects of Propecia?
Propecia’s side effects are primarily sexual and relatively uncommon: they strike one or two men in a hundred. If any side effects develop or change in intensity, let your doctor know as soon as possible.[12] Propecia pills should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or who may become pregnant. However, Propecia pills are coated and will prevent contact with the active ingredient during normal handling, provided that the pills are not broken or crushed.[11] Pregnant women must avoid Propecia because it is known to cause birth defects in developing male babies.[13]
How Much Does Propecia Cost?
Propecia is available in different quantities; 90-pill packages often run between US$125.00 and US$175.00.[7] However, significant savings can be found at discount prescription drug stores, where prices for 90-pill packs can be well under half as much. The online market is an ideal place to find discount prescription drugs because many online pharmacies stock generics and source internationally.
REFERENCES
[1] http://www.skinsite.com/info_finasteride.htm
[2] http://www.microscopy.fsu.edu/pharmaceuticals/pages/propecia.html
[3] http://www.maxpharm.com/propecia.html
[4] http://www.propeciaonline.co.uk/
[5] http://www.propeciafinasteride.com/
[6] http://www.keratin.com/ac/baldnesstreatments/propecia/002propeciabaldnessuse.shtml
[7] http://www.nyhairloss.com/treatments.htm
[8] http://martikelloggasid.com/
[9] http://www.valleyrollerhockey.com/
[10] http://www.onlineclinic.co.uk/propecia.html
[11] http://www.drugs.com/propecia.html
[12] http://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/pro1355.htm
[13] http://www.mdenterprise.com/propecia.php
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