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psychojr · #1 **Top** 11-11-2006, 10:01 AM

My doc (Cooley) suggested that I take a Propecia every other day since it doesn't leave the bloodstream that fast to need it every day. This also saves big bucks. Anyone else's doc suggested this?

JakeVig · #2 **Top** 11-11-2006, 04:24 PM

If you want to save money buy Proscar and cut in 1/4's. The half life of Propecia is 5-6 hours, taking it every other day is below the recommended dosage of Finasteride for hairloss.

Robert_ · #3 **Top** 11-11-2006, 04:30 PM

There is strong evidence that shows that when a patient first begins taking finasteride (the active ingredient in both Propecia and Proscar) doses as low as .1 mg can be as effective as 1 mg. Of course, as the body becomes acclimated to the medication, the dose must be increased incrementally. Dr. Cooley is right on with his recommendation for new Propecia users.

-Robert

Mark H · #4 **Top** 11-11-2006, 06:27 PM

Dr. Cooley has suggested Jake et al, that Popecia stays at high levels in the blood stream for as much as 72 hours.

I don't know where you're getting a 5-6 hour half life from...a term usually used for radioactive isotopes.

The reason dosage recommendations haven't been reduced is that the FDA has already approved the daily dosage, and its unlikely that the drug company will petition to have it lowered.

if you really want to save money, cut Proscar in 1/4's and then take every other day.

I actually take it 3 times a week, so that only one stretch uses the 72 hours, but allows me a stable schedule.

mark

JakeVig · #5 **Top** 11-12-2006, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mark H:
I don't know where you're getting a 5-6 hour half life from...a term usually used for radioactive isotopes.

Easy, just type in Propecia half life in google. Most of the websites list the half life anywhere between 4-6 hours.

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic3/propecia_cp.htm:

Quote:

Mean terminal half-life is approximately 5-6 hours in men 18-60 years of age and 8 hours in men more than 70 years of age.

JakeVig · #6 **Top** 11-12-2006, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Robert - Associate Publisher:
There is strong evidence that shows that when a patient first begins taking finasteride (the active ingredient in both Propecia and Proscar) doses as low as .1 mg can be as effective as 1 mg. Of course, as the body becomes acclimated to the medication, the dose must be increased incrementally. Dr. Cooley is right on with his recommendation for new Propecia users.

-Robert

Robert, it would be good if you could cite your strong evidence. There is a reason why the recommended dosage is what it is, it is based on the results of empirical studies. The end result represents the most optimal dosage for most people given risk/benefit and statistical mean effectiveness amongst the patients in the study. Given that it can be up to 6-12 months to see any results (if any?) I don't think it is wise to suggest a dosage other than the recommended one. IMHO I would only suggest a smaller dosage for men experiencing side effects or only have minor hair loss not patients who are trying to stave off an inevitable NW6/7.

Here is an interesting quote from wikipedia on the issue:

Quote:

The UC Berkeley Wellness Letter expressed concern in March 2003 about the unproven long-term safety of Propecia and recommended cutting a standard 1 milligram dose into quarters to reduce the cost without reducing its effectiveness.[2]. This claim appears to be supported by clinical pharmacological data reviewed by the FDA during Propecia's approval process that suggested that the advantage of taking 1 mg per day over 0.2 mg per day is statisticially small. [3] Some people have unsuccessfully petitioned the FDA to re-examine the approved dosage in light of the statistical evidence and unknown long-term risks.[4] The FDA responded and said that just because the level of DHT found in the scalp was not signifigantly different does not mean there is a correlation with hair loss. A study would have to show that the benefits of using 0.2 mg and 1 mg were not statistically different. According to the FDA such a study has been performed and a 1 mg dose has a greater benefit.[4]

There have been studies on different dosages but the conclusion reached is a different one:

Quote:

It did, however, include an even lower dose, .Ol mg, in addition to .2 mg and 1 mg doses. The study showed the .Ol mg dose to be ineffective, and the 1 mg dose to be more effective than the .2 mg dose and equally safe

hairbank · #7 **Top** 11-13-2006, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by psychojr:
My doc (Cooley) suggested that I take a Propecia every other day since it doesn't leave the bloodstream that fast to need it every day. This also saves big bucks. Anyone else's doc suggested this?

Dr. Wong suggested the same thing to me which I've been doing and I have seen very mild regrowth along the hairline. The theory from him is that Finasteride actively inhibits DHT for a period of 72 hours so an every other day does works fine. I'm sorry I can't cite any research proving this..............I'm basing my decision on my trust in Dr. Wongs knowledge which I think is a safe bet.

I believe the "half life" of the drug is sometimes confused with the amount of time DHT is effectively blocked. After doing a brief search regarding Finasteride and it's half life, I found this article that I feel is worth a glance. It suggest that multiple doses of Finasteride will actually maintain reduction in serum DHT concentration for at least two weeks....possibly up to 30 days after you stop taking it.

Mark H · #8 **Top** 11-13-2006, 03:55 PM

If H&W and Dr. Cooley are on the same page, that's good enough for me.

mark

hairbank · #9 **Top** 11-14-2006, 08:31 AM

ooops! Tried to edit my above post but ended up posting a duplicate............sorry!

Mark H · #10 **Top** 11-14-2006, 04:21 PM

What you're saying Hairbank makes a lot of sense. Dr's Wong, and Cooley wouldn't be recommending a lesser dose willy nilly. These are sober professionals, and in fact Dr. Cooley put it to me just as Dr. Wong put it to you. It keeps DHT levels down for 72 hours.

I take it Tues, Fri, Sun, so I only have one three day stretch, but it allows me to have specific days I take it...easier to remember.

mark

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