Generic propecia / Dr. Reddy not effective?

[FUEblonde1985]

Hello,

I've been taking finasteride for about 6 years now. During that time it seemed to be working pretty well, dramatically slowing my rate of hair loss. I cannot recall the specific brands that I took over the years, I believe I've used multiple generics as well as the Merc brand. I also had a hair transplant 17 months ago in the hairline (documented on this forum).

My pharmacy recently filled a prescription and gave me Dr. Reddy's generic finasteride. This was about 6 weeks ago. I've noticed over the last couple of weeks and increased amount of shedding and my hair "feels" worse, lifeless, thin, etc. I've had a hair transplant and some of the hairs (including the transplanted hairs) look and feel lifeless/wirey and I've noticed my transplanted hairs are shedding as well.

Does anyone have any experience with this brand of finasteride? It feels like it is less effective. Its also very disturbing that some of my transplanted hairs are shedding after only 17 months (maybe these are just the hairs that never actually shed during the initial transplant?) Is shedding transplanted hairs after this short of a time span normal? Could this just be my body adjusting to a new version of the drug and I can expect regrowth in a few months?

Thanks.

[Curious]

Why take a chance?  Although it's more expensive go back on Propecia or split up Proscar pills and see what happens.

[Gabreille Nelson Mukhia]

1 hour ago, FUEblonde1985 said:

Hello,

I've been taking finasteride for about 6 years now. During that time it seemed to be working pretty well, dramatically slowing my rate of hair loss. I cannot recall the specific brands that I took over the years, I believe I've used multiple generics as well as the Merc brand. I also had a hair transplant 17 months ago in the hairline (documented on this forum).

My pharmacy recently filled a prescription and gave me Dr. Reddy's generic finasteride. This was about 6 weeks ago. I've noticed over the last couple of weeks and increased amount of shedding and my hair "feels" worse, lifeless, thin, etc. I've had a hair transplant and some of the hairs (including the transplanted hairs) look and feel lifeless/wirey and I've noticed my transplanted hairs are shedding as well.

Does anyone have any experience with this brand of finasteride? It feels like it is less effective. Its also very disturbing that some of my transplanted hairs are shedding after only 17 months (maybe these are just the hairs that never actually shed during the initial transplant?) Is shedding transplanted hairs after this short of a time span normal? Could this just be my body adjusting to a new version of the drug and I can expect regrowth in a few months?

Thanks.

Hey, I've used Dr. Reddy's finasteride for over 5 years now. It works fine for me. Maybe the change in brand is what is causing the hair loss. Maybe you should switch back to the brand you were using. Shedding of transplanted hair is normal. They have to go through the hair cycle.

[Sm90]

I would try switching back to the grand that was working well for you. I sometimes would think I woukd begin to shed after refilling my prescription but I also think it was mental. 
Unfortunately shedding is natural and something you can’t really avoid. I had a transplant and I had a drastic shed right before my one year mark and I was devastated. I feel like it never fully grew back but that could be mental as well. In your situation I would just recommend you get back on the brand that was working for you and start to use a derma-roller   

[Gatsby]

At 6 weeks are you sure that the changes and the shedding are not just part of the hair transplant post op? Have you contacted your hair transplant surgeon and raised this issue with him? All the best!

[FUEblonde1985]

My transplant is 17 months post-op - its been 6 weeks since getting the new finasteride rx.

[DrTBarghouthi]

Switching formulations or even starting new hair loss medications can induce an early stage of temporary loss. It is seen with minoxidil, LLLT and even finasteride in some cases. It may well be that or even seasonal shedding which is quite common this time of year. 

[jimcraig152]

I've been using Dr. Reddy Finasteride since May (through my Kaiser doctor). Had HT July 24th '20 with the same surgeon as yours. Hair loss slowed in the last weeks before HT. I halted treament for a week before surgery. Restarted Finasteride immediately after surgery. Hair loss stopped by the end of August. Now 3 months into HT recovery even with vigorous shampooing, I have no further hair loss. Haven't experienced/used any other brand of Finasteride but I will say the Dr. Reddy stuff works for me.

Edited October 28, 2020 by jimcraig152

[hairlossPA]

can someone explain to me what Dr. Reddys finasteride is and how I can tell if I have that kind?

 

thanks

[jimcraig152]

35 minutes ago, hairlossPA said:

can someone explain to me what Dr. Reddys finasteride is and how I can tell if I have that kind?

 

thanks

Dr. Reddy is just the name of the manufacturer of the finasteride, or brand if you will. Some pics below, but I suspect the stampings on the pill are to ID the lot in case they have a bad run that they can trace it back. The color of the pills are always the same in the 5 months I've been on it. First time I've actually looked at the stampings actually.

 

[hairlossPA]

Thanks. I do not have his finasteride then as I've been taking it for 2.5 years. Good to know