If you are using Propecia or its generic, Finasteride, for hair loss, you will almost definitely be prescribed the 1mg daily dosage.
But you may be wondering why this dose was chosen, and why there are higher doses of Finasteride available.
In this article we will go over the dosage to use if you are taking Finasteride for hair loss, and why 1mg is the best dosage for this indication.
No, it does not.
One study got together a group of men that were experiencing hair loss and then had the men take either a placebo or 0.01mg, 0.2mg, 1mg, or 5mg Finasteride daily.
After the treatment period, researchers took a hair count, pictures, a personal assessment, and a clinical assessment of the male pattern hair loss.
The best effects were seen in the groups that were taking the 1mg and 5mg doses, with the results not being significantly different between the two doses.
This means that taking a 5mg dose of Finasteride will give you about the same results as the 1mg dosage, but put you at higher risk for side effects.
In this case, more is not better.
Finasteride does also come in a 5mg dosage, which you will also see in the brand name medication Proscar.
The difference here is that Proscar, or the 5mg dosage of Finasteride, is meant to treat a totally different condition than male pattern hair loss.
Finasteride 5mg is indicated to treat a condition of the prostate called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) which can cause urination difficulty.
With BPH, studies have shown that you need this higher dosage to have the best effects of keeping the prostate at a normal size.
So, does this mean that if you are taking Finasteride 5mg for your BPH that you may discover some bonus hair benefits?
Well, if you are having hair issues that are related to male pattern hair loss and too much DHT - yes, you might see some hair improvements as well.
To some, these two conditions probably seem worlds apart from each other, so how does the same medication work for both?
When you get down to the root of both of these issues, it is a problem of too much of one hormone - Dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
DHT can be made in the body when testosterone comes into contact with an enzyme called 5-Alpha Reductase.
Some DHT is fine, but too much can cause hair loss issues and an enlarged prostate.
Finasteride fits in here by blocking that 5-Alpha Reductase conversion enzyme, keeping the testosterone as testosterone, and delivering benefits to both conditions.
If you are interested in seeing if Finasteride 1mg tablets or topical finasteride are a good option for your hair loss issues, you can schedule an Online Visit with our physicians today.
If you are a good candidate for Finasteride therapy, your medication can be shipped directly to your front door.
The Finasteride dosage for Male Pattern Hair Loss is 1mg daily in tablet form.
Propecia is the brand name for the Finasteride 1mg tablet.
Studies show that taking more than 1mg daily for Hair Loss does not give you more of a benefit, and may increase your risk of side effects.
The Finasteride 5mg dosage is found in the brand name medication Proscar.
Finasteride 5mg was found to help with a prostate condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
It is possible that men taking Finasteride 5mg for BPH may discover some bonus hair improvements.
Finasteride works for both of these conditions because they are both related to an excess of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body, and Finasteride can block DHT from forming.
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