Propecia

Propecia is the brand name for finasteride at a 1 mg dosage, a prescription medication used to treat male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) in men. It belongs to the class of drugs known as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, specifically inhibiting the type II enzyme.

Finasteride works by reducing the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone linked to hair follicle miniaturization in men with baldness. Lower scalp DHT levels can slow hair loss and, in some men, promote regrowth, though results vary and depend on individual factors.

Propecia is approved for adult men with male pattern hair loss. The typical dose is 1 mg taken once daily, with or without food. It is not approved for use in women or children. It does not treat baldness caused by other conditions.

Efficacy and expectations vary by individual. Many men experience reduced hair loss and some regrowth after several months to a year of therapy. Benefits require ongoing treatment; stopping Propecia often leads to loss of newly formed hair within months.

Safety and side effects: Possible adverse effects include sexual side effects such as reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, or ejaculation disorders, occurring in a minority of users and typically reversible after discontinuation, though rare persistent cases have been reported. Breast tenderness or enlargement and allergic reactions can also occur. Propecia is not recommended for women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, as contact with broken tablets may pose a risk to a male fetus.

Availability and alternatives: Propecia is a brand-name formulation of finasteride; generic finasteride is also available. A higher-dose formulation (Proscar) is used for benign prostatic hyperplasia, not for hair loss.