Reviews and Comments on Propecia Side Effects and Usage – Page 2
Propecia Reviews
If you’ve used Propecia, please help others by adding your feedback. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.
Subj: Getting Pregnant
Date: 9/2/2003
We are trying to get pregnant and my husband was taking propecia. I heard rumors that this reduces his sperm count. He went off of it 2 1/2 months ago. How long will it take to get out of his system.
Donna
AskDocWeb: The Propecia leaves the system within days so there should be no problem there. Of course his hair loss will resume within months. Good luck with the family.
Subj: Propecia side effects
Date: 9/11/2003
I just wanted to know if it is safe to be on propecia and have unprotected sex, is there any chance of any side affects to the woman and also how it affects your chances of having a baby. Thanks
AskDocWeb: According to Merck Pharmaceuticals, propecia levels in semen were undetectable in 60% of the samples so there seems to be little danger for the women. The problem for men who use propecia is that 1.8% experience some sexual side effects and 1.3% reported erectile dysfunction. That is a small but real possibility that keeps some people from taking the chance.
Subj: Propecia
Date: 11/5/2003
I’ve been taking Propecia for about 14 months now. I have not seen a major improvement with repect regrowth but the hair loss/thinning has stopped and I have retained what I had. I was completely satisfied with this.
Around six months ago I started experiecing A Topic allergy symptoms. I experienced a very bad sore throat problem for around 6 weeks and then started suffering from nasal blockage. It was at this stage that I decided to visit my doctor. No prescribed drugs seemed to help so I visited an ENT specialist. He prescribed POLARONIL. (Anthistamine with Steroids) which solved most of my problems. The only problem is that I had to keep taking it because otherwise the symptoms would return. The Professor asked me to try and stop propecia for a few months to see whether this was the cause of my symptoms. I ignored his recommendation because I felt that it could not be related.
Around 4 months (10 months after I started taking propecia) the symptoms got worse and I experienced urticaria and rashes all over my body on four various occasions with the span of one month. This was something I had never experienced before in my life. Specialists prescribed ADVANTAN steroid cream and other drugs like Zyrcon, TElfast etc.. Antihistamine drugs worked well but only 40mg of Prednisolone would solve my problem when reactions were harsh. The only problem I have now is small spots on my face which do not seem to disappear no matter what I do. Doctors feel it is related to the same condition.
This facial problem was really bothering me so last month I decided to stop taking Propecia (even though I was happy with my hair retention). I could not continue taking this drug if it was the culprit to all these reactions, nasal and skin conditions I was experiencing. It has only been one week since I stopped taking Propecia and I am my facial skin problems seem to be disappearing. I firmly believe that this drug was inducing these reactions.
My problem now is to decide on whether I should try Propecia again (since I was always happy and confident that it was doing its job) in a few months time or else find an alternative drug. Do you recommend that I try Procerin? Procerin seems to target the 18-35 age group and I am 32 years old. What is your opinion of FINPecia (replice of Propecia produced by CIPLA in India). Is this really the same thing Finasteride as Propecia ?
Jason
AskDocWeb: Procerin would seem to be a worthwhile alternative. As for the FINPecia, we are not familiar with it so can’t say one way or another.
One option that may be worth exploring is “Drug Holidays,” where you take your normal dose for several days and skip one or more days. This allows your body to recover some of its normal function and avoids building up a tolerance for the drug. The number of days to take off (on holiday), and how frequently to do that varies for different medications. Consider talking with your doctor about what might work for you.
Subj: Heel pain
Date: 11/11/2003
I recently started using proscar (finasteride 5mg) cut into 4 to treat my hair loss. After 2 weeks into the course I noticed my heels hurt when putting pressure (body weight) after I wake up from sleep or sit for even half an hour. The pain is bad although not debilitating. I have discontinued for the past 3 days and the condition has cleared up rapidly. I would like to continue with the medication but is the pain something that would go away after some time? I have not seen any reference to the condition either on the web or in the accompanying leaflet.
Subj: Reduced dosage for propecia?
Date: 11/23/2003
I have been taking Propecia for 2 years now with great results and no side effects. Are there any reports on what would happen if I start taking it only once every other day?
DR
AskDocWeb: None yet, but yours could be the first if you decide to try this.
Note added 12/17/03: Proscar seems to have identical ingredients to Propecia. The active ingredient in both is finasteride. Propecia contains 1 mg. of finasteride and Proscar contains 5 mg. of finasteride. Since the cost of both Propecia and Proscar are roughly the same, it would seem to be more cost effective to obtain Proscar and quarter the tablets into 1.25 mg. of finasteride than to pay for Propecia.
Before the approval of Propecia, Merck and Co. assured consumers that the active ingredient, Finasteride, was precisely and uniformly dispersed in each tablet of Proscar. Since Propecia came on the market, it appears they have changed their story. What do you think would happen to company profits if people knew they could divide Proscar tablets instead of paying the full price for Propecia? Think about it.
Special note: If you divide the Proscar tablets, you will be exposing the Finasteride within. Make sure that women do not touch the sectioned pills. It can be absorbed through the skin and can cause birth defects if handled by women.
Subj: Want a child
Date: 1/28/2004
If you take the drug, and want a child, how long should you be off the drug before impregnating a women?
AskDocWeb: According to the manufacturer, you don’t have to stop. Just don’t expose any woman to the Propecia and always wash your hands after you handle this drug. We suggest you read all of the feedback here about this product.
Subj: Super slow
Date: 2/4/2004
I am 33 and my hair has been slowly receding since I was 15. Only when I noticed the back of my head thinning, I started taking Propecia. After 6 months now, my hair is growing back but very, very slowly. I read normally hair grows back .5 inches per month. Well, this Propecia hair on my crown is maybe .5 inches now, but only after 6 months. I notice the incoming hair is thicker than the others…an indication the hair follicles are not constricted by DHT I think. Along my temples the hair is now .5 inches along my hair line. This area is doubling in quantity. My hairline is not taking on “lost” area or completely bald temple areas though. I just ordered Procerin as I am interested because of the high reported success rate, herbal source, and cheaper. In short, I say Propecia does work and I am very pleased with the overall result, but it is super, super slow.
Jon
Subj: half a pill
Date: 2/11/2004
Could I make do with half a pill of Propecia daily and achieve the same results? It’s an expensive drug.
Steve (yet another)
AskDocWeb: No, taking a half pill of Propecia will not produce the same results as taking a whole pill every day. What results do you want? Do you want to save your money or save your hair? If you want both, read the note added 12/17/03 above.
Subj: Propecia with Rogaine
Date: 2/11/2004
Is it helpful and/or OK to take Propecia and use Rogaine at the same time. I recently started taking Propecia and my hair seems to be falling out more! I had stopped using Rogaine but have started back.
Mike
AskDocWeb: Several men have reported good results using Rogaine with Propecia.
Subj: Propecia shedding
Date: 2/16/2004
I started taking Propecia nearly two months ago, and I’ve noticed my hair loss seems to be increasing. I’ve heard references to a “shedding” period that occurs for the first couple of months, but Merck’s website does not mention that at all. Is this a normal reaction to the drug?
Chuck
AskDocWeb: Not sure if this is “normal” but several others have reported the same. They also said it stops by the third month. If your experience is otherwise, let us know.
Subj: Switching from Propecia to Procerin
Date: 2/18/2004
I have been using generic propecia for about a year now with very good results. I had a balding spot just behind my locks in a reverse “U” shape.
About two months after starting my hair was shedding kinda bad and I was worried but stuck with it. Boy am I glad I did. At 11 months into it you can no longer tell my hair was thinning at all. I must be one of the lucky ones but it did grow back a significant amount of hair for me. But…
I have had minor side effects the entire time of taking it. I can maintain a erection no
problem, but my libido is just not what it used to be. At this point I’m torn, this stuff has
worked great for me but I’m going to switch to procerin and see if I can maintain the improvements I have gained with propecia and loose the side effects. I’ll post an update in both threads with my results after a couple months
Todd
Subj: Taking Propecia while trying for a baby
Date: 2/19/2004
If my husband is taking propecia and we want to try for a baby. Should he get off of it? Can he still take it? Any side effects for this?
Jennifer
AskDocWeb: Yes, there are possible side effects. Suggest you read our report on Propecia and the feedback from others here. Our biggest concern would be the possibility of birth defects and reduced libido.
Subj: 2 months use – Matt
Date: 2/26/2004
I started using propecia a couple of months. I noticed the sexual side effects heavily during the first week, but then it gradually returned to normal. I notice no side effects now. Guess I may have been one of the lucky ones.
Matt
Subj: Impotence?
Date: 3/15/2004
Can propecia cause impotence?
If not…if I use it and get someone pregnant is the child at risk of the same birth defects as if a preganant woman handled it?
Pat
AskDocWeb: Yes, Porpecia does cause impotence in just under one percent of those who take it. Also 1.8% experience decreased libido and .8% have decreased volume of ejaculate. The manufacturer says there is no risk of birth defects for a woman who becomes pregnant by a man using Propecia.
Subj: propecia and procerin together
Date: 3/15/2004
I’ve just started taking propecia and procerin together about three weeks now and I’ve noticed an increase in hair loss and it’s very frustrating. Should I be worried or does this mean that the products are working?
Keesh
AskDocWeb: We are seeing more and more cases of shedding from those who start taking DHT inhibitors. Most report it lasts 4 or 5 weeks. We would caution you about using 2 DHT inhibitors at the same time. You have increased the chances of side effects and, if anything bad shows up, how do you tell which one is responsible?.
Subj: Smashing propecia
Date: 3/21/2004
Can I smash up a bunch of propecia pills and rub them directly into my scalp?
John
AskDocWeb: Propecia is designed to be taken by mouth so that it enters your blood stream. Once in the blood, it is delivered to every cell in your scalp. In our opinion applying it to just the surface would be wasting your time and money.
Subj: Impregnating a women
Date: 3/25/2004
My wife conceived on our first try. After that I started using propecia and we have not had any luck for 4 years. A doctor (urologist) told me to stop Propecia until I had decided to have no more children. Do you agree with this because I have heard conflicting opinions from many doctors. Also, your response to a 2/19/04 email mentions a possibility of birth defects – what are you referring to? Not from the man’s use of the pill and then impregnating a women?
Tim
AskDocWeb: The possibility of birth defects exists if a woman comes into physical contact with the contents of a Propecia pill. There is a coating on the pills to reduce this risk, but if any pills are broken, the contents of the pill can be absorbed through a woman’s skin. According to the manufacturer, it is safe for a man to take Propecia and conceive a child. However, due to the number of possible sexual side effects, we would not risk having them around if you are trying to conceive. Read more feedback.
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