Before choosing between Finasteride and Minoxidil, you should consider your goals for regrowing your hair. While Minoxidil has been shown to help people regain lost hair, Finasteride can also increase regrowth. Your goals should be based on how much you want to re-grow your hair, or just maintain the hair you have.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil and finasteride are both topical hair loss treatments. Although they have different side effects, they are both effective in treating hair loss. Minoxidil is available in several topical formulations, and finasteride is available as a prescription. Both are approved by the FDA for treating male pattern baldness (BPH).
Minoxidil is available over the counter in two topical forms – minoxidil foam vs liquid solution. Topical minoxidil is marketed under the brand names Proscar and Propecia. It was initially developed to treat BPH, or enlarged prostate. It was later tested on men suffering from androgenetic alopecia and was approved by the FDA in 1997.
Finasteride blocks DHT, a hormone that causes hair loss. Minoxidil, on the other hand, focuses on restoring hair follicles. It also acts as a vasodilator, increasing blood circulation and nutrients to the scalp.
Finasteride
Both Minoxidil and Finasteride have shown efficacy in short-term studies. Both medications are effective in improving hair growth. 3 month finasteride results slowing down the progression of hair loss. In a study published in the European Journal of Dermatology, finasteride prevented or reversed male pattern baldness in 91 percent of participants after five months of daily use.
Both minoxidil and finasteride have side effects. However, finasteride is considered more clinically effective. Moreover, it is safer to use than minoxidil because there is less risk of sexual side effects. It is important to discuss side effects with your healthcare provider before using finasteride and minoxidil. If you experience any side effects while taking either product, your doctor may adjust your dosage or prescribe another medication.
Minoxidil is an over-the-counter topical hair loss treatment. It is applied to the scalp, so it can cause irritation. However, this side effect is temporary and usually subsides after a while. Finasteride, on the other hand, is a prescription medication that is marketed under the brand names Propecia and Proscar. It is a popular treatment for male baldness and has received FDA approval since 1997.
Minoxidil side effects
Before you start using minoxidil to treat hair loss, you should know some of the side effects associated with it. These effects may be temporary and will subside once your body adjusts to the medication. Some side effects may be more severe and need to be treated by a physician. Chest pain is a common symptom of using minoxidil, which may be a warning sign of heart failure.
However, finasteride has fewer side effects than minoxidil. It has more clinical benefits, but it is also associated with more unpleasant side effects, including reduced sexual desire, increased hair growth, and nipple discharge. It may also lead to testicular pain and trouble urinating. It is also not recommended for premenopausal women.
While both minoxidil and finasteride are considered safe for long-term use, you should not exceed recommended dosages. Also, it is a good idea to bring your list of medications with you to your doctor’s appointments to avoid drug interactions.
Tolerability of finasteride
The tolerability of finasteride and minoxidil is an important question for patients who are taking these treatments. This is because finasteride can cause serious side effects, and some of them are permanent. They include erectile dysfunction, depression, suicidal thoughts, and loss of libido. The medications also alter the natural hair growth cycle, and can cause hair follicles to shift prematurely from the telogen to the anagen phase. This can cause shedding of hair.
While finasteride is considered to be more clinically effective than minoxidil, both are known to cause side effects. Some users of finasteride have experienced decreased sexual desire, enlarged breasts, and testicle pain. Finasteride is also known to decrease libido, so it’s important to communicate any side effects to your prescribing physician so they can treat you accordingly.
Tolerability of finasteride and Minoxidil was evaluated in 50 male patients with AGA. These patients were treated with topical minoxidil and oral finasteride for two years. After this period, oral finasteride was discontinued in five patients, and these patients were subsequently treated with topical minoxidil fortified with finasteride. The data was then reviewed by independent observers to determine whether the minoxidil-finasteride combination was effective and safe.