Common Hair Loss Medication
Monday, March 10th, 2008Because most hair loss medication is aimed at inhibiting the enzyme Alpha Reductase they are commonly grouped as ‘Alpha Reductase Inhibitors’.
Reductase is an enzyme that converts testosterone into dehydrotestosterone, or DHT, which is believed by many to be the main cause for hair loss. We will discuss a little bit about each treatment that falls under this category as a hair loss medication.
Propecia
One type of hair loss medication is Propecia and is the first and only FDA approved hair loss pill in the entire world. This type of medication works by inhibiting type II reductase in the body.
The good part is that it does bring back hair growth on the top and front of the head, but your hair will also fall back out again if you quit taking this pill.
There is a new drug on the market that is believed by many to be more effective than Propecia. This is because it inhibits both type one and two reductase, whereas Propecia is only effective with type two.
This new drug is called Avodart.
Anti-Androgens
Other types of hair loss medication include the anti-androgens. These medications inhibit the male sex hormones in our body and are commonly prescribed for female pattern baldness. Male patients should exercise caution with this type of hair loss medication.
Aldactone is otherwise known as Spironolactone and is mostly used for women. The other type of medication for women is known as Diane35. Men should not use these medications because they will find their sex hormones will lower, and could possibly cause further hair loss.
Proper balancing with hormones between males and females is very important when using a hair loss medication.
Loniten is a hair growth stimulant and contains the same active ingredient as the topical treatments like Rogaine, but they are in oral form.
Arimidex can be used as a hair loss medication because it inhibits the enzyme aromatase, which is responsible for the production of estrogen in our bodies. This is mainly used by men who are worried about the feminizing effects of Propecia.
There are many different options that are available on the market today that don’t require surgery of any type. The important part is knowing which sex the drugs exist for and make sure you are taking the correct one.
If you are interested in hair loss medication, you need to make sure you have all the facts before you start to take anything.
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After all a man thinks of his hair as being a large part of his identity and personality, loss of hair in men tends to coincide with a loss of confidence and self esteem.
You can’t just look up “hair loss doctor” in the Yellow Pages, and it’s hard to find someone who specializes in hair loss.
Chances are that you will follow whatever the major advertisements promote and try out their products in the hope that one of these will stop the hair loss and save you from the predicament.