Finasteride

In the case of hair loss (androgenetic alopecia), an increased concentration of DHT in the scalp can damage the hair follicles, leading to thinning hair and eventual hair loss. By reducing the production of DHT, finasteride helps protect the hair follicles and can slow or stop hair loss and, in some cases, even promote hair growth.

Finasteride is usually prescribed in the form of a daily pill. It may take several months before the effects of the drug are noticeable, and it is important to continue taking the drug as prescribed even if immediate results are not seen. If treatment with finasteride is discontinued, the previously experienced symptoms of hair loss or BPH may return within a few months.

Dosage

In the treatment of hair loss (androgenetic alopecia), finasteride is usually prescribed at a dosage of 1 mg per day. This dosage has generally been shown to be effective in reducing hair loss and promoting hair growth in many patients. If you would like more information about hair loss prevention and treatment options, schedule a free, no-obligation (telephone) consultation with one of our specialists.

Finasteride for women

Finasteride(Propecia) is a hair loss drug that has only been tested on men. Now there are some doctors in the Netherlands who, under conditions, prescribe finasteride for women. The Health Care Inspectorate now wants to put a stop to this because no studies have been done on Finasteride in women. In men, these studies have been done.

This would involve over 3,000 women, a small proportion of whom are tierney girls. Because this is a hormonal drug, the president of the Professional Association of Dermatologists is shocked at the number of women to whom Finasteride is prescribed. The problem is that Finasteride must be used on an ongoing basis. It is not a course of a few weeks, and therein now lies the danger. What are the long-term side effects? What happens if the woman becomes pregnant?

Biochemical action

1. Testosterone, a male sex hormone, is present in the bodies of both men and women, albeit in different concentrations.
2. The enzyme 5-alpha-reductase is responsible for converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This conversion occurs when a hydrogen atom is added to testosterone by the enzyme.
3. DHT is a more potent androgen (male sex hormone) than testosterone and plays a role in the development of male characteristics, hair loss and prostate enlargement.
4. Finasteride acts as a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor. It binds to the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, blocking the conversion of testosterone into DHT.
5. By blocking the conversion of testosterone to DHT, finasteride lowers the level of DHT in the body. This can help reduce hair loss and shrink the prostate in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Development

Finasteride was developed by the pharmaceutical company Merck & Co, also known as MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme) outside the United States and Canada. It was originally developed in the 1970s and 1980s and received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 1992 for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) under the brand name Proscar.

In 1997, finasteride was approved by the FDA for the treatment of male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) in a lower dose of 1 mg, under the brand name Propecia.

Although there was a team of scientists and researchers involved in the development of finasteride, Dr. Roy Vagelos is often cited as a key figure in the research and development process of this drug. Dr. Vagelos was the CEO of Merck & Co during the development of finasteride and played a crucial role in driving research into 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, such as finasteride, for the treatment of BPH and hair loss.

CAUTION: This medication may have side effects with St. John's wort

• https://www.geneesmiddeleninformatiebank.nl/ords/f?p=111:3::SEARCH:::P0_DOMAIN,P0_LANG,P3_RVG1:H,NL,100577
• https://www.farmacotherapeutischkompas.nl/bladeren/preparaatteksten/atc/D11AX10
• https://www.apotheek.nl/medicijnen/finasteride
• https://www.lareb.nl/nl/databank/result?formGroup=&atc=D11AX10