Senior Member Time to do something Posted February 9, 2010 Senior Member Share Posted February 9, 2010 I've noticed that many of you are taking your finasteride every other day. This is the course my doctor also want me to begin following. As you may have seen from another of my posts, I'm a bit apprehensive to take the drug do to the many patients on here who have complained of sexual dysfunction after starting this medication. Some patients say they had no problem while others have gone so far as to say it ruined their lives. I thought a happy middle would be to start the drug every other day and give my body a 'drug holiday' as my doctor friend put it. However, I found this information to be eye opening. I'm writing word by word recommendation of manufacturer Merk for prescribers "The recommended dosage is 1 mg orally once a day. PROPECIA may be administered with or without meals. In general, daily use for three months or more is necessary before benefit is observed. Continued use is recommended to sustain benefit, which should be re-evaluated periodically. Withdrawal of treatment leads to reversal of effect within 12 months". The drug has a half life of 4.5 hours. The rule is when half life of a drug is shorter it need to be administered more frequently. All the clinical trials documented by manufacturer, done with this drug, are with its daily dose. It appears taking it every other day may be ineffective. NW5 Dr. Epstein July 4, 2007 2520 grafts 471 one hair grafts 1540 two hair grafts 505 three hair grafts 5070 Total hair count Dr. Epstein August 4, 2008 2384 grafts 870 one hair grafts 1150 two hair grafts 364 three and four hair grafts 4262 Total hair count Dr. Ron Shapiro November 18, 2009 1896 grafts 760 one hair grafts 852 two hair grafts 288 three hair grafts 46 four hair grafts 3362 total hair count Dr. Ron Shapiro July 1, 2011 1191 grafts 447 one hair grafts 580 two hair grafts 150 three hair grafts 14 four hair grafts 2113 total hair count Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Megatron Posted February 10, 2010 Senior Member Share Posted February 10, 2010 I'd say if you're going to give it a shot, do it properly. At least to begin with. The chances of Propecia permanently affecting you in 3 months time has to be extremely minute. My Hair Loss Website - Hair Transplant with Dr. Simmons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Glenn Charles Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 You are correct that the half life of Propecia is relatively short. That is why it is recommended to be taken daily. However, one must always weight the positives and negatives to determine the best course of action. If side effects can be avoided with every other day dosage, that may be more important than the length of the half life of a particular medication. Dr. Glenn Charles is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member phil mascallpen Posted February 10, 2010 Senior Member Share Posted February 10, 2010 Originally posted by Time to do something:It appears taking it every other day may be ineffective. If people here are getting results on EOD dosage and Merck didn't test that dosage it would appear EOD may be effective. Also even though the half life is short Merck's own studies show that DHT levels do not return to normal for 2 weeks on average in patients that have been on finasteride for I believe 3 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member T.C Posted February 10, 2010 Senior Member Share Posted February 10, 2010 Have to agree with Phil as I have seen various studies that show DHT doesnt return to baseline for a week or more regardless of the half life.I have been taking .5 mg EOD for 12 months and it is "obviously" working for me. HT 2006/7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member princyluks Posted February 10, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted February 10, 2010 How can we check the DHT levels, can we check anything doctor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Time to do something Posted February 10, 2010 Author Senior Member Share Posted February 10, 2010 I don't understand the mechanisms of the drug but if studies have shown the effects of finasteride remain in the system for a week or more, then how effective is it to take it every other day to give your body a 'drug holiday' to prevent sexual dysfunction? NW5 Dr. Epstein July 4, 2007 2520 grafts 471 one hair grafts 1540 two hair grafts 505 three hair grafts 5070 Total hair count Dr. Epstein August 4, 2008 2384 grafts 870 one hair grafts 1150 two hair grafts 364 three and four hair grafts 4262 Total hair count Dr. Ron Shapiro November 18, 2009 1896 grafts 760 one hair grafts 852 two hair grafts 288 three hair grafts 46 four hair grafts 3362 total hair count Dr. Ron Shapiro July 1, 2011 1191 grafts 447 one hair grafts 580 two hair grafts 150 three hair grafts 14 four hair grafts 2113 total hair count Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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