Hair Loss Options - Oral Medication

[Gaz121]

Hi guys,

I'm currently taking Proscar (cut into quarters) daily and applying Dualgen-15 (minoxidil) daily. These may be slowing my hair loss but I'm continuing to lose hair as I'm balding at the crown, have diffuse thinning and receding as well - see pictures.

I'm looking to try out oral medication in addition to the Proscar that I'm already taking.

Can anyone list the oral medications that I could try, which have been shown / discussed to provide some benefit to stopping further hair loss? I have an open mind to consider any oral meds that can potentially stop further hair loss.

Thanks,
Gaz

 

[Yakitori]

How long have you been on Proscar?

 

[abcdefg]

Hi guys,

I'm currently taking Proscar (cut into quarters) daily and applying Dualgen-15 (minoxidil) daily. These may be slowing my hair loss but I'm continuing to lose hair as I'm balding at the crown, have diffuse thinning and receding as well - see pictures.

I'm looking to try out oral medication in addition to the Proscar that I'm already taking.

Can anyone list the oral medications that I could try, which have been shown / discussed to provide some benefit to stopping further hair loss? I have an open mind to consider any oral meds that can potentially stop further hair loss.

Thanks,
Gaz
View attachment 90131View attachment 90132

There are not really any other oral drugs short of the big boys or experimentals. The next step up is dutasteride which has some phase 3 studies its not that crazy. Oral spironolactone is pretty crazy but some try that. There is RU, and other things like Seti. Your on the safest, and most proven thing.
If your okay with more expensive, and more risky drug dutasteride would certainly work better.

 

[Derelict]

How long have you been taking finasteride and using minoxidil?

 

[Retinoid]

Your hair loss is not TOO bad when dry (hair being wet in harsh lighting always makes hair look thinning!)

I concur with the above, you need to give these things time to work (6-9 months) before thinking of adding or subtracting. You won't notice the full benefits by this time, but you should have some benefit.

In the mean time grow your hair out and restyle it to cover the top and use Topikk and you will have a full head of hair (look wise).

 

[Gaz121]

How long have you been on Proscar?

I've been on Proscar and Minoxidil for 17 years!

 

[Gaz121]

There are not really any other oral drugs short of the big boys or experimentals. The next step up is dutasteride which has some phase 3 studies its not that crazy. Oral spironolactone is pretty crazy but some try that. There is RU, and other things like Seti. Your on the safest, and most proven thing.
If your okay with more expensive, and more risky drug dutasteride would certainly work better.

Sorry, I should have added that I was also on dutasteride around when it was first available, about 11 or 12 years ago. I stuck with it for at least a year but then dropped it because I saw no improvement in slowing down the hair loss or growing new hair so I just stuck with the Proscar which I've been taking for 17 years.

I didn't realise that RU & spironolactone can be taken orally, I thought they could only be applied topically?

 

[Gaz121]

How long have you been taking finasteride and using minoxidil?

Both for 17 years

 

[Murkey Thumb]

Forget all that dude, stay on your current regime get your *** to Turkey and get that bad boy covered up with a FUE. Only cost you £2K.

 

[Gaz121]

Your hair loss is not TOO bad when dry (hair being wet in harsh lighting always makes hair look thinning!)

I concur with the above, you need to give these things time to work (6-9 months) before thinking of adding or subtracting. You won't notice the full benefits by this time, but you should have some benefit.

In the mean time grow your hair out and restyle it to cover the top and use Topikk and you will have a full head of hair (look wise).

I've been on Proscar and minoxidil for 17 years so I've definitely given them time to work! I think they've slowed down my hair loss when I compare my hair to my older brother who was much more advanced in hair loss when he was my age.

I am using a concealer - currently using Caboki but it's getting more and more difficult to cover the balding without it looking like fake hair! I think in a few months time, I wont be able to cover the crown any more - this is why I want to explore other oral drugs even if they are a bit experimental. If that fails, I think I'll have no option but to go for a hair transplant.

 

[Gaz121]

Forget all that dude, stay on your current regime get your *** to Turkey and get that bad boy covered up with a FUE. Only cost you £2K.

Anyone in particular you'd recommend?

 

[Murkey Thumb]

Anyone in particular you'd recommend?

No not really, you need to go on to the hair transplant/FUE part of this forum and look for yourself. People have had some great results with only spending £2K others have spent more but that is because they needed hairlines rebuilt, the crown far easier. 2-3000 grafts would sort you out and you have plenty of good donor hair for the future.

 

[Derelict]

did you not see any difference at all in those 17 years or did it just stop hair loss from getting worse? my crown is like yours

 

[Yakitori]

I've been on Proscar and Minoxidil for 17 years!

How much better was your hair when you started 17 years ago?

Consider trying Dutasteride. At some point you gotta step it up. I bet once a sustainable treatment comes around, the first successful cases probably had some hair to begin with. Keep as much as you can imo.

 

[Gaz121]

did you not see any difference at all in those 17 years or did it just stop hair loss from getting worse? my crown is like yours

Over the last 17 years, I've just continued to lose hair. The meds have probably slowed down the loss though. It's getting to the stage when I need to consider a hair transplant or experiment with other drugs to try and stop further loss and regrow some hair!

 

[Gaz121]

How much better was your hair when you started 17 years ago?

Consider trying Dutasteride. At some point you gotta step it up. I bet once a sustainable treatment comes around, the first successful cases probably had some hair to begin with. Keep as much as you can imo.

I had a full head of hair 17 years ago. As soon as I started to lose hair, I started on Proscar and minoxidil. The funny thing is, I distinctively remember that my hair loss stopped for about a week while I first started on minoxidil and then BOOM the hair loss re-started like crazy and hasn't stopped since then! I was so happy during that week my hair loss seemed to stop - it was like a cruel joke when it re-started.

I have tried dutasteride, stuck with it for about a year but saw no improvement in slowing down the hair loss or growing new hair so I just stuck with the more affordable Proscar.