Propecia - FAQ

PROPECIA is the first and only FDA-approved pill proven to treat male pattern hair loss on the vertex (top of the head) and anterior mid-scalp area in men.

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What is PROPECIA?

PROPECIA is a medical breakthrough — the first pill that effectively treats male pattern hair loss on the vertex (at top of head) and anterior mid-scalp area.

Does PROPECIA really work?

Based on two 24-month vertex studies of men ages 18 to 41 with mild to moderate hair loss, the clinical results of PROPECIA are impressive:

83% maintained their hair based on hair count (vs. 28% with placebo), 66% had visible regrowth as rated by independent dermatologists (vs. 7% with placebo), 80% were rated as improved by clinical doctors (vs. 47% with placebo), and most men reported an increase in the amount of hair, a decrease in hair loss, and improvement in appearance.

Only a doctor can determine if PROPECIA is right for you. PROPECIA is for MEN ONLY. Further, women who are or may potentially be pregnant must not use PROPECIA and should not handle crushed or broken tablets because the active ingredient may cause abnormalities of a male baby’s sex organs. PROPECIA tablets are coated and will prevent contact with the active ingredient during normal handling.

You may need to take PROPECIA daily for 3 months or more to see visible results. PROPECIA may not regrow all your hair. And if you stop using this product, you will gradually lose the hair you have gained. There is not sufficient evidence that PROPECIA works for recession at the temporal areas. If you haven’t seen results after 12 months of using PROPECIA, further treatment is unlikely to be of benefit.

Like all prescription products, PROPECIA may cause side effects. In clinical studies, a very small number of men experienced certain side effects, such as less desire for sex, difficulty in achieving an erection, and a decrease in the amount of semen. Each of these side effects occurred in less than 2% of men. These side effects were reversible and went away in men who stopped taking PROPECIA.

Taken once a day in tablet form, PROPECIA is simple, easy, and — most important — clinically demonstrated to be effective in most men.  PROPECIA helps grow natural hair — not just "peach fuzz" — and is as convenient to take as a vitamin: one pill a day.

How does PROPECIA work?

The causes of hair loss are not well defined; however, researchers have found that men with male pattern hair loss have increased levels of DHT in the balding area of their scalps. Human hair normally follows a cycle of growth, falling out, and new growth. But increased levels of DHT are believed to contribute to the shortening of the growth phase, and a shortening of the time it takes for the hair to fall out. This results in a thinning of the hair on the scalp.

Finasteride (the active ingredient in PROPECIA) blocks the formation of DHT and, in this way, appears to interrupt a key factor in the development of inherited male pattern hair loss in men. PROPECIA has been proven to effectively lower DHT in the scalp.

Most important, PROPECIA helps grow natural hair, not just "peach fuzz," and is as convenient to take as a vitamin: one pill a day.

What is DHT?

DHT is one of many male hormones in the body. DHT is developmentally important early in a man’s life; however, it appears to be a cause of hair loss as men get older. DHT shrinks the hair follicle until it no longer produces visible hair.

Who should not take PROPECIA?

PROPECIA is for the treatment of male pattern hair loss in MEN ONLY.  Further, women who are or may potentially be pregnant must not use PROPECIA and should not handle crushed or broken tablets of PROPECIA because the active ingredient may cause abnormalities of a male baby's sex organs.   PROPECIA tablets are coated and will prevent contact with the active ingredient during normal handling.

Does PROPECIA work for all men?

At the conclusion of a 24-month study of men age 18 to 41 with mild to moderate hair loss at the top of the head, 83% treated with PROPECIA maintained their hair as determined by hair count (vs. 28% with placebo).  Most men reported an increase in the amount of hair, a decrease in hair loss, and improvement in appearance.  Although results will vary, generally men will not be able to grow back all of the hair they have lost.

Can PROPECIA help maintain my hair count?

PROPECIA is proven to maintain hair count in most men.  It's the medical breakthrough men have been waiting for.   In clinical studies, hair count was maintained in men taking PROPECIA, while men taking a placebo (a pill with no medication) continued to show progressive hair loss.

Imagine looking in the mirror two years from now — and seeing essentially the same amount of hair you saw this morning!  Now, PROPECIA makes this possible for the vast majority of men.

Can PROPECIA increase as well as maintain my hair count?

At 24 months, 66% of the men in our studies regrew hair at the top of the head (vs. 7% with placebo) as determined by an expert panel of dermatologists.  An assessment by the study investigators rated 80% of men on PROPECIA as improved (vs. 47% with placebo).  This was not just "peach fuzz," but real hair — and growth occurred in both the vertex (at top of the head) and anterior mid-scalp area.  There is not sufficient evidence that PROPECIA works for recession at the temporal areas.

How long will it take for PROPECIA to work?

PROPECIA begins to block the formation of DHT almost immediately; however, because hair grows slowly, visible results from PROPECIA take some time. In clinical trials, most men began to see the first benefit of PROPECIA — slowing hair loss — as early as 3 months. After 6 months, men may begin to experience regrowth. If PROPECIA does not work within 12 months, further treatment is unlikely to be of benefit.

How long do I have to take PROPECIA?

You need to take PROPECIA for as long as you want to continue to benefit from use.  If you stop taking PROPECIA, you will likely lose any hair you have gained within 12 months of stopping treatment.

What about long-term use of PROPECIA?

PROPECIA has been tested for two years in clinical studies of 1,200 men.

Does PROPECIA have any side effects?

Like all prescription drugs, PROPECIA may cause side effects. In clinical studies, side effects from PROPECIA were uncommon and did not affect most men. A very small number of men experienced certain sexual side effects, such as less desire for sex; difficulty in achieving an erection; and a decrease in the amount of semen. Each of these side effects occurred in less than 2% of men. These side effects were reversible and went away in men who stopped taking PROPECIA.

How does PROPECIA compare with other products available for the treatment of hair loss?

PROPECIA is the only pill indicated for male pattern hair loss.  Merck has not conducted clinical trials comparing PROPECIA with other medicines and therefore cannot make any comments. You should discuss this issue with your doctor.

How is PROPECIA supplied?

PROPECIA is available as a 1-mg tablet. This tablet is tan in color and is octagonal (has eight sides), film-coated, rounded, somewhat elevated surface. Each PROPECIA tablet is marked with a code of MRK 71 on one side and PROPECIA 1 on the other. The tablets are supplied as individual bottles of 30 tablets and in PROPAK®, a carton of 3 bottles, each containing 30 tablets for a total of 90 tablets.

How should I take PROPECIA?

The recommended dosage for PROPECIA in men with male pattern hair loss is a single 1-mg tablet taken by mouth once a day. PROPECIA may be taken with or without meals. You may need to take PROPECIA daily for three or more months before you see a benefit from taking PROPECIA. PROPECIA can only work over the long term if you continue taking it. Continued use is recommended to obtain maximum benefit. If you stop taking PROPECIA, you will likely lose the hair you have gained within 12 months of stopping treatment. You should discuss this with your doctor, and follow your doctor’s instructions.

How much does PROPECIA cost?

Local pharmacies set prices according to their specific needs and Merck has no control over retail prices. You should contact pharmacies in your local area to obtain that pharmacy's price.

Based on historical mark-ups at the retail level, we expect the retail price to be about $50+ per month. Please understand that this is an estimate. Actual retail prices in your area may be higher or lower. You may want to check several pharmacies to obtain the best price.