I am 25 years old male.I have been suffering from Hair Loss since the age of 22.So I visited a good dermatologist a year ago.He prescribed me four medications to treat hair loss.They are
1)Minoxidil 5% Topical Solution (Tugain 5%)
2)Finasteride 1mg Tablet(Finax 1mg)
3)Biotin Tablet(Biomin OD(or) Follihair)
4)Ketoconazole lotion 2%(Kenith lotion(or) Nizral Lotion)
I asked the doctor "Is there any possibility to regrow the hair that is already lost?". He said "Minoxidil and finasteride are the only medicines that are approved by FDA to treat Hair Loss. But these medicines too do not work for 100% of the patients who use them correctly as prescribed". He futher explained "When used correctly it is effective on 45% of the patients(Hair Fall is controlled and new hair is grown i.e your hairline becomes denser) and less effective on another 45% of the patients(Just hair Fall is controlled and very slight regrowth occurs i.e you can maintain what you have) and no effect on 10% of the patients"
As Prescribed I am using 1 ml of Tugain solution which is applied on hair before going to bed everyday.Finax 1 tablet in the morning everyday .Follihair 1 tablet at night everyday and Ketoconazole lotion weekly twice as shampoo.Other days I was told to wash hair with plain water compulsively while bathing. I have been using these medications for a year and surprisingly it is effective and has no side effects on me. Effectiveness of these medicines(Minoxidil & Finasteride) is to be seen within 6 month to 1 years of usage.If there is no effect even after a year of usage there is no use of continuing it.
Side-effects:
These medicines(Minoxidil & Finasteride) have side effects that affects 2% to 10% of the patients.
1)Minoxidil side effects:
Burning or irritation of the eye; itching; redness or irritation at the treated area; unwanted hair growth elsewhere on the body.(common side effect). Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects(very rare) occur when using Minoxidil Solution: Severe allergic reactions(rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; dizziness; fainting; fast heartbeat; sudden, unexplained weight gain; swollen hands or feet.
Also it is highly toxic to cats.
2)Finasteride side effects:
Side effects of finasteride include impotence (1.1% to 18.5%), abnormal ejaculation(7.2%), decreased ejaculatory volume(0.9% to 2.8%), abnormal sexual function(2.5%), gynecomastia (2.2%), erectile disfunction (1.3%), ejaculation disorder(1.2%) and testicular pain.
Finasteride is not indicated for use by women. Finasteride is in the FDA pregnency category X. This means that it is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Women who are or who may become pregnant must not handle crushed or broken finasteride tablets, because the medication could be absorbed through the skin. Finasteride is known to cause birth defects in a developing male baby.
Note: Visit the doctor atleast once in two months while using these medications. Medicines may have no, or minor, or severe side effects.If side-effects are found consult your doctor immediatly.