Propecia and Proscar are both medications you can take to reduce the effects of male pattern baldness. The active ingredient in both medications is finasteride, but Propecia is usually prescribed in 1mg tablets and Proscar in 5mg tablets. Finasteride is usually prescribed to treat an enlarged prostate but can also be used to treat hair loss in men. You should consult with your doctor about which drug will be more effective and appropriate for your lifestyle.
Side effects
Propecia and Proscar both have very similar side effects. Both medications may cause:
- Impotence
- Weakness
- Swelling in your hands and feet
- Abnormal ejaculation
- Dizziness
- Feeling faint
- Loss of interest in sex
According to Rx List, Proscar may increase hair growth. People who take Proscar may also continue to experience the negative sexual side effects of it even after they discontinue use. Propecia is better known as a solution to hair loss, and Proscar as a treatment for an enlarged prostate, though they both contain finasteride and are DHT inhibitors.
Both medications are described as being 5a-reductase inhibitors, which block the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Many well-known hair loss products contain ingredients to block DHT, which is a sex hormone derived from testosterone that can negatively impact your health if overproduced. According to Healthline, high levels of DHT can contribute to an enlarged prostate and prostate cancer, which explains why Proscar is specifically used to treat an enlarged prostate.
If you believe that you may benefit from taking either Proscar or Propecia to slow male pattern baldness, you should talk with your doctor. Both medications interact with other drugs, so it is important that your doctor understands what other medications you are taking.
Contact Trillium Ink
If you are battling the effects of male pattern baldness and are searching for a permanent solution, contact the team at Trillium Ink. We offer state-of-the-art scalp tattoos, known as scalp micropigmentation. This medical-grade tattoo is applied with precision to give the appearance of a natural-looking hairline. It can even cover up scars from surgery or hair transplants. Call our office today at 425.238.1222 or fill out a contact form on our website.