PROPECIA
Propecia or
generic Propecia is a medical breakthrough - the first pill that effectively treats male
pattern hair loss on the vertex (at top of head) and anterior mid-scalp area.
The "chemical name" of Propecia is known as Finasteride. When a new drug is developed, the pharmaceutical company will give its drug
a brand name and a chemical name. Propecia is the brand name, while Finasteride
- generic Propecia- is the chemical name.
"Propecia 1 mg" and "Generic Propecia 1 mg" have exactly the same ingredient!, 1 mg of
Finasteride. So, GENERIC PROPECIA functions the same way
as Propecia, but at a lower cost. To learn more about
generic Propecia, please follow the information we have
provided below.
What is Finasteride?
GENERIC PROPECIA (finasteride),
a synthetic 4-azasteroid compound, is a specific
inhibitor of steroid Type II 5a-reductase, an
intracellular enzyme that converts the androgen
testosterone into 5a-dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
 Finasteride is a white crystalline powder with a melting
point near 250°C. It is freely soluble in chloroform and
in lower alcohol solvents but is practically insoluble
in water.
GENERIC
PROPECIA tablets for oral administration are film-coated
tablets that contain 1 mg of finasteride and the
following inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate,
microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch,
sodium starch glycolate, docusate sodium, magnesium
stearate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 2910,
hydroxypropyl cellulose, titanium dioxide, talc, yellow
ferric oxide, and red ferric oxide.
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How does Generic Propecia Work?
The most common form of balding is male pattern hair loss, representing close to 95% of all hair loss cases. Mild to moderate male pattern hair loss affects
about half of men by age 50. This type of hair loss results in receding hairline and/or balding at the crown. It is due to heredity, from either the mother’s or father’s side of the family, and is dependent on hormones.
Scientist have recently discovered that men who suffer from male pattern hair loss have an increased level of a substance called DHT in their scalps.
The causes of hair loss are not well defined; however, researchers have found that men with male pattern hair loss have increased levels of DHT in the balding area of their scalps.
Human hair normally follows a cycle of growth, falling out, and new growth. But increased levels of DHT are believed to contribute to the shortening of the growth phase, and a
shortening of the time it takes for the hair to fall out. This results in thinning of the hair on the scalp.
Science has found a way to affect DHT with a prescription taken once a day in tablet form:
Propecia Finasteride (the active ingredient in Propecia) blocks the formation of DHT and, in this way, appears to interrupt a key factor in the development of inherited male pattern hair loss in men.
Propecia has been proven to effectively lower DHT in the scalp.
Most important, Propecia (or GENERIC PROPECIA, which has the same
ingredient) helps grow natural hair, not just "peach fuzz," and is as convenient to take as a vitamin: one pill a day.
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Does Generic Propecia work for all men?
The efficacy of Propecia was demonstrated in men (88% Caucasian) with mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) between 18 and 41 years of age.
In order to prevent seborrheic dermatitis which might confound the assessment of hair growth in these studies, all men, whether treated with finasteride or placebo, were instructed to use a specified,
medicated, tar-based shampoo (Neutrogena T/GelŪ** Shampoo) during the first 2 years of the studies.
There were three double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies of 12-month duration. The two primary endpoints were hair count and patient self-assessment; the two secondary endpoints were investigator
assessment and ratings of photographs. In addition, information was collected regarding sexual function (based on a self-administered questionnaire) and non-scalp body hair growth. The three studies were
conducted in 1,879 men with mild to moderate, but not complete, hair loss. Two of the studies enrolled men with predominantly mild to moderate vertex hair loss (n=1,553). The third enrolled men having mild to
moderate hair loss in the anterior mid-scalp area with or without vertex balding (n=326).
Most men reported an increase in the amount of hair, a decrease in hair loss, and improvement in appearance. Although results will vary, generally men will not be able to grow back all of the hair they have lost.
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Generic Propecia side effects
Like all prescription drugs, generic Propecia may cause side effects. In clinical studies, side effects from
generic Propecia were uncommon and did not affect most men. A very small number of men experienced certain sexual side effects, such as: less desire for sex; difficulty in achieving an erection;
and a decrease in the amount of semen. Each of these side effects occurred in less than 2% of men. These side effects were reversible and went away in men who stopped taking
generic Propecia . These side effects also disappeared in most men (58%) who continued taking
generic Propecia .
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Dosage and administration
The recommended dosage is 1 mg once a day.
Generic Propecia may be administered with or without meals.
In general, daily use for three months or more is necessary before benefit is observed. Continued use is recommended to sustain benefit, which should be re-evaluated periodically. Withdrawal of treatment leads to reversal of effect within 12
months.
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