Finasteride is a synthetic medication that may belongs to the drug class called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, which can be used in dealing with Androgenic alopecia and also can be used in the condition of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Androgenic alopecia is the pattern hair loss or baldness that may can occur in men as well as in women and can be known to be as Male and Female pattern hairloss or baldness. It is the most common type of hair loss. About 50% of men and 30-40% of women may face the problem of androgenic alopecia by the age of 50.

The medications like Fincar 5 mg, Proscalpin 1 mg, Curlzfin Tablet, Finpecia 1 mg, Proscare 5 mg, Healpecia 5 mg, and Prohair Tablet is being used in dealing with Androgenic alopecia and Benign prostatic Hyperplasia in male and female pattern hairloss in female.

Causes of Androgenic alopecia can be:

• Genetics
• Hormonal changes
• Age

In Androgenic alopecia, specifically in men how the patterns occur, receding hairline at temples i.e., M shape, thinning on crown and vertex, may often leaves a horseshoe of hair on sides and back, it may start usually late teens to 30s, but can any age after puberty. In women, it may follow Ludwig Scale, it may diffuse thinning on the top of scale, wider part line, hairline usually stays intact and rarely full baldness and may starts often after 30s, and more common after menopause when estrogen drops.

How it is diagnosed?

• In the condition of hair loss, androgenic alopecia diagnosis followed by physical exam i.e., pattern of hair thinni9ng receding hairline and crown in men.
• The history i.e., age of onset, family history, and rate of hair loss.
• It may lead to thyroid, iron deficiency, scalp conditions and medications.
• Scalp dermoscopy it is option as it is used to just confirm pattern hair loss.
• Followed by blood test if needed.

Uses of Finasteride

• It can be used in dealing with male pattern hair loss Androgenic alopecia.
• It can also be used in treating Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.
• Female Pattern hair loss can also be treated.

Finasteride may work by:

• In the hair follicles and in prostate, the enzyme 5-alpha may reductase may convert testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
• DHT may binds to androgen receptors 5x stronger than testosterone, in the scalp DHT miniaturizes hair follicles. The growth phase gets shorter, hair get thinner until they stop growing. This is a male pattern baldness.
• In the prostate, DHT may causes prostate cells to grow results into enlarged prostate and urinary symptoms.
• It may bind to the 5-alpha reductase Type II and blocks approx. 70% of DHT production in scalp and approx. 90% in prostate. Testosterone levels rise slightly but DHT drops.

Safety and Efficacy

• According to safety concern, it may show some side effects i.e., decrease libido, erectile dysfunction, breast tenderness etc. this may can vary from individual to individual.
• Efficacy: In the clinical trials, 83% of men stopped further hair loss at 2 years. Visible regrowth can be seen approx. 65%. Reach the peak effect at 12 months. If the finasteride use is stopped then benefits can get reversed in just 6-12 months. In the condition of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), size 20-25% urine flow gets improved, also reduces the risk of acute urinary retention and in just 4 years surgery reduced by 50%. It may take 6 months to show complete effects.

Precautions

• The one with prior medical condition like liver and kidney condition should avoid taking any such medications.
• If you are with prior conditions of depression, anxiety, and brain fog should avoid taking any such medications.
• Lowers PSA by approx. 50%, here doctor needs to double PSA value to screen prostate cancer correctly.
• Some men may report persistent sexual, cognitive like side effects after stopping.