The drug Propecia is marketed by the pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. Trade names for this drug are Finasteride and Proscar as well as several generic names.

Propecia was initially introduced to the market as a method of treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in 1992.  BPH is enlargement of the prostrate that interferes with the passing of urine; this drug has proven successful in shrinking the size of the prostrate without the need of surgery.

In 1997, the FDA approved Propecia for treatment of male pattern baldness (MPB).  Propecia is one type of treatment available for MPB.  Propecia is administered as an oral tablet and is only available with a prescription, it is not available over-the-counter. The cost of Propecia may vary depending on pharmacy. In order to save money you may find it cheaper if you buy Propecia online.

There are other are other treatments options available for MPH other than Propecia, such as topical creams that are sold over-the-counter, laser treatments, and surgical hair transplants.

Propecia is found to be somewhat successful for most men.  It was developed to treat mild-moderate male pattern baldness located on the top of the head and the middle front of the head of men only.  This drug usually has not proven successful in treating receding hairlines located at the temples. This drug has also not proven successful in restoring hair growth for women, though doctors will occasionally prescribe it.

Men normally take Propecia for 3 months before they notice any significant improvement and results vary depending on the individual.  It is recommended that men stop taking this drug after a period of 12 months if there is not a visible improvement and consider it unsuccessful.  Men that stop taking Propecia are likely to lose the hair that was grown while taking this drug.

Propecia is administered in pill form.  The pill is blue in color, apple shaped, and coated to protect individuals from coming in contact with the active ingredient. The pill is usually administered once a day for the treatment of hair loss and can be taken either with or without food. There have not been any reports of negative drug interactions with Propecia.  It is recommended that pregnant women or women that may become pregnant not even handle this pill due to possible side effects such as abnormal development of sex organs in the male fetus.

As mentioned above, Propecia has not proven successful in hair growth for women.  However, some doctors prescribe this drug to women but only after it has been proven that an effective birth control method is in place to avoid pregnancy and the risk of birth defects. It has also not been approved for pediatric use.

The risk of side effects associated with this drug is low; however, possible side effects associated with Propecia may include allergic reactions such as a rash, hives, itching, or swelling of the lips and face.  Other side effects include problems with ejaculation, loss of sex drive, testicular pain, and breast tenderness and enlargement.  The doctor should contacted immediately if the there is pain or lumps that appear in the breast or if there are signs of nipple discharge.

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