Hair Loss Medications Rewards Against Risks

Several medications are used today to treat hair loss, with the approval of the Food and Drug Administration and are shown to have some major risks on users. Is the risk worth it?

According to the US Government, sixty percent of all men, or two out of three men, experience some kind of hair loss in their life. An estimated 35 million men and 21 million women in the United States alone have male pattern hair loss.

Hair loss occurs when hair follicles stop producing hair growth. In reality, there is currently no medication which cures baldness. There are some hair loss products that can help slow down the process but there is no cure for the most common type of hair loss called male pattern baldness.. The effectiveness of medications used to treat hair loss depends on the cause of hair loss, extent of the loss and the individual response. Generally, treatment is less effective for more extensive cases of hair loss.

Several medications are used today to treat hair loss. There are two drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration and are shown to have some positive effect on balding, Finasteride and Minoxidil. The 5-alpha-reductace inhibitors medical drugs Finasteride and Minoxidil are most widely used as medical hair loss treatments for men.

Minoxidil (Rogaine) is over-the-counter medication. This medication is rubbed into the scalp twice daily. New hair stops growing soon after use of the drug is discontinued. Side effects can include irritation of the scalp. Upon stopping the use of the drug, any hair re-growth will fall out within 6 months.

Finasteride (Propecia). This prescription medication to treat male-pattern baldness is taken daily in pill form. Some people taking finasteride experience a slowing of hair loss, and some may show some new hair growth. Propecia is for MEN ONLY. Men with liver disease or prostate cancer should not be using this drug. Women and children should avoid any contact with this medication. Propecia side effects according to National Medical Library: Breast enlargement and tenderness, skin rash and swelling of lips are more likely to occur with the 5-mg dose. Abdominal pain, back pain, decreased interest in sex, decreased amount of semen, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, impotence (inability to have or keep an erection).

Propecia may skew PSA, blood test results used to screen for prostate cancer, a new study finds and was published in the medical journal Lancet Oncology. Women who are or may potentially be pregnant must not use or touch propecia because of the risk that active ingredient may cause birth defect. Women should avoid handling tablets that are crushed or broken, according to Merck.

Other medications used by doctors to treat hair loss are injections of cortisones into the scalp or ointment of anthralin usually for extensive alopecia areata conditions.

According to common sense and Marvin Friedman, Nu Hair president, "Always consult your family doctor for medical advice about your health and your individual hair loss condition. "

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