Our review of Merck’s hair loss product Propecia examines whether this product works as it suggests and what prospective buyers should expect when they buy it.
Propecia is a hair loss treatment solution for men. It is made by Merck pharmaceuticals and is indicated for the reversal or slowing down of hair loss. This hair loss treatment is claimed to work best when the baldness has not formed completely.
In other words, Propecia seems to work best for individuals who are starting to get a receding hairline.
Ingredients
Finasteride is the main active ingredient in the Propecia hair loss treatment solution, with each tablet containing 1mg. Finasteride works by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha reductase Type II, which converts androgen testosterone into 5-alpha dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
In males with a receding hairline, DHT levels tend to be elevated and their scalp tends to have miniaturized hair follicles. Finasteride decreases the concentration of serum DHT and, as such, helps to slow down or reverse hair loss which manifests as thinning hair and complete baldness later on.
Dosage
The recommended dosage is 1mg a day, which is equivalent to one tablet. You may take with or without meals.
Consistent treatment for at least 12 weeks is required before you can attain any observable benefit. Also, if you withdraw from the treatment, all benefits attained thus far are reversed. This means that you need continuous use of Propecia in order to sustain the benefit.
Propecia is contraindicated in a number of conditions. Pregnant women should not use this medication as it is linked to certain birth defects.
In men between the ages of 18 to 45, finasteride may decrease the levels of serum PSA (prostate specific antigen) when used for at least 12 months. Some studies have indicated that this decrease is exacerbated in the presence of prostate cancer in older males.
Generally, finasteride may heighten the risk of prostate cancer in older men who are already at an increased risk of getting the disease. As such, the drug should be avoided in those circumstances. If you are on treatment for any condition, avoid using this drug or any drugs that contain finasteride as it may interact with those drugs and lead to adverse effects.
Price
No price information was readily available from the websites we scoured.
Guarantee
As this is not a supplement, there is no guarantee offered when you purchase the drug. You are fully responsible for any associated risks that may come with your purchase.
Merck Propecia Review – Conclusion
Merck Propecia male pattern hair loss corrector seems to be based on verifiable research. We liked the fact that there is sufficient information about its mechanism of action as well as the potential risks associated with its use. However, since it is a synthetic drug, we feel that it is not ideal for long-term use, yet users have to take it perpetually in order to sustain its benefit. This product comes with a high number of risks and potential side effects.
We advocate products that are 100% natural and expose users to little or no risk during long-term use, so we believe there are better, safer alternatives to choose from.