Medications

Posted August, 08/24/2009 - 00:00 AM

Question:

Should I be scared to start taking Propecia because of all the potential side effects?

Answer:

I understand the concern about possible side effects with taking Propecia.

You should know that the side effects occur in less than 1% of patients.

If you are in that unlucky category, when you discontinued the medication the side effects would go away. They are temporary, not permanent. Over the past 10 years I have prescribed Propecia to hundreds and hundreds of patients. I have only had a few patients complain of a side effect. In some of those cases just changing the dosage was enough to make side effects go away.

There were no patients whose side effects did not abate after stopping medication.

Therefore, I recommend patients with obvious signs and strong family history of Male Pattern Baldness to at least try Propecia. It does slow down hair loss in a high percentage of patients, and can always be discontinued without permanent side effects.

Posted by Jeffrey S. Epstein, MD, FACS

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Tags: Hair Loss, Medication for Hair Loss, Propecia, Side Effects, Thining Hair

Posted August, 08/17/2009 - 00:00 AM

I had my consultation in July 08'. I wasn't a good candidate for a procedure because of my young age. Dr. Epstein prescribed me Propecia, which I've been on for about a year now. I can't say I've gotten the results I've hoped for since I did not acquire regrowth of Plant kind. Though, I believe my hair loss has slowed down a bit.

Would you know off-hand when any kind of procedure involving stem cells will be available? I heard by the year 2012, but it was not confirmed.

Posted by Jeffrey S. Epstein, MD, FACS

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Tags: Plasma, Propecia

Posted June, 06/19/2009 - 00:00 AM

Question:

If it is recommended then any side effects are there?

Answer:

There is no medicine you have to take postoperatively other than a three day preventative antibiotic.

Posted by Jeffrey S. Epstein, MD, FACS

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Tags: Hair Transplant, Medication restrictions, Multi vitamins

Posted June, 06/11/2009 - 00:00 AM

Hello Doctor

After scheduling the procedure; 6/30 does not arrive soon enough. I am excited!

I have a few preparation questions for my procedure and others may come to mind in the next week or so.

I reviewed your restrictions on E, ginko, multi's etc. Do I need to stop taking Biotin, COQ10, Glucosamine/Chondroitin, Ginseng, & Selenium, beta carotene?
My scalp seems to get tight; would it be helpful if I started to massage the scalp in an attempt to create some looseness?

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Tags: Hair Transplant, Medication restrictions, Multi vitamins

Posted February, 02/05/2009 - 00:00 AM

Question:

I forgot to ask you a question. I have started using Rogaine in the crown and frontal graft area to help speed up the growth. If I keep doing that will I be in danger of losing those hairs when I stop the Rogaine? I just want to make sure it is ok to use along with the Propecia.

Answer:

Absolutely ok to use the Rogaine- and no, the hairs will not fall out when you discontinue it.

Posted by Jeffrey S. Epstein, MD, FACS

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Tags: Hair Loss, Medication for Hair Loss, Propecia, Rogaine, Thining Hair, Topical treatments

Posted January, 01/08/2008 - 00:00 AM

I have been on Propecia for 10 years. I was out of the country and lost the bottle, so was off of it for 5
weeks. When i got back I started up again, but now one month into restarting I am losing a ton of hair
throughout the scalp. It is now very noticeable. Does that mean I lost the “propecia hair” for good after
stopping for only 5 weeks? Will it come back now that I am back on it?

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Tags: Hair Loss, Medication for Hair Loss, Propecia, Thining Hair