Getting a Prescription

[Vigaku]

I was just wondering if I have a right to buy a certain medicine (Proscar)

I am 19 and I have already received permission to buy Propecia from my dermatologist (even when my derm disagreed that I was thinning). That was 7 months ago. During those 7 months I've been taking a generic version of the drug (finasteride) because Propecia is ridiculously expensive for me. Though, I no longer trust what I'm taking is legit, but I still have a feeling it is. It's the one from 4rx.com. Either way I want to get Proscar because it's manufactured by Merck. I'll most likely stop taking the generic once I've finished my 7th 30 tablet packet. Can't say my hair's gotten any better or worse since I can't tell.

What I'm curious about though are my rights to actually have Proscar. I know it isn't intended for the treatment of male pattern baldness, but I don't want to waste 40$ a month when I can get nearly the same benefits from using split Proscar tablets. So, can I have it even if my doctor doesn't think I have enlarged testes? When is a doctor prohibited from giving a specific medicine to a patient?

I'm really hoping I can get Proscar.

 

[monitoradiation]

Just tell your doctor. I told her I want it, she understood it, prescribed my proscar. She's prescribed me Propecia and I took it; once I told her I had no adverse effects on finasteride, she prescribed me proscar the second time.

 

[Vigaku]

This may seem unnecessary but why are prescriptions needed? So far I think it's so that people who really shouldn't be taking them can't buy them (women, children). If that's the reason then, I understand.

K, glad to know that, but I was thinking...what exactly should I tell her besides that I want Proscar? If that's all I have to say, then great, because I was thinking if I told her I'm going to be splitting it for the treatment of male pattern baldness she will be like, well in that case, no!

If the above is what every person who wants to save money with Proscar and wants to keep their hair says to their doctor, then I guess I have nothing to fear.

 

[BaldersHead]

Prescriptions are needed mostly because of the seriousness of the potential side effects, I presume.

When I went to see my GP, I just told him that I wanted to talk to him about finasteride for hairloss. He told me about it, and said it is mainly for BPH (which it is) and that halting hairloss was basically a fringe benefit that was discovered during it's initial trials or something like that. He really concentrated on the side effects (gyno, ED, libido) and told me not to expect much, but that he'd prescribe it. He did ask me if I've seen a dermatologist, but I said no and that I don't have insurance right now. I'm sure that didn't factor in to why he prescribed the proscar though, he's a pretty understanding doctor. just told him I wanted to try to maintain what I had, didn't expect much, and that I'd get off if I started seeing any sides.

We just talked about it for a while and I mentioned that people say they try to get prescribed the Proscar because it's cheaper and they can just split it up into .5 or 1mg doses.

I'm going to get mine tomorrow probably, and try out .5 mg doses.

 

[Vigaku]

...

Ok, I've been under the impression that only a derm can give you a prescription. I'll ask my main doctor if she can give me one for Proscar. If she says I have to see my derm, I will...but what are the chances my dermatologist will not give me Proscar?. Is it just based on how she FEELS about it or is a doctor ever not legally able to give you a medicine? For example should I fear telling her that I'm going to be splitting Proscar in fives so I can treat hairloss?

 

[Vigaku]

Bump.

 

[CCS]

any Doctor can give you a prescription, even if it is "off label". It is just a question of if they want to. They don't want to get sued if you get a side effect.

As far as finasteride goes, it can hide the test results of prostate cancer. So if you are getting a prostate cancer test, you can't be on finasteride at the time. It can also worse breast cancer. And some guys can get liver problems, especially the obese ones. All this stuff is rare. Many docs won't even give you a test. They just give you the pills and take the money. The tests maybe cost $200 or something. If you have insurance, they probably order it.

When my Doctor gave me proscar, she prescribed 30 pills every 4 months, with the prescription good for a year. Good deal, since it was a campus doctor and only costed $10 for the visit. Now that I have to pay $60 to see a Doctor, I just go with generics. If my pills are fake, then my hair is thinning so slow I don't need finasteride anyway.

 

[monitoradiation]

Your dermatologist has a greater chance to refuse to prescribe you proscar than your GP/family physician, in my view. In fact, the dermatologist I saw didn't even let me speak. She just flat-out refused to listen to anything I had to ask. Dermatologists get paid too much to want to bother with you, at least the one I saw; Basically all you're gonna be seeing the derm for is so they'd provide you with your first prescription. Your GP would want to know that the derm said it was okay for you to take Propecia, then you can ask the GP about proscar because it's cheaper. Just mention that there's this other drug that you've heard about; your GP might even prescribe it to you without you having to ask.

 

[CCS]

A doctor is less likely to give you something off label because if you try to sue them later, they take more responsibility. I think you have a 50% chance of them saying yes. You got maybe a 5-10% chance of them giving you Avodart for hair loss. Just depends on their medical judgement and how scared they are of a law suit. Not illegal at all. But they might feel better if they do some blood tests just so their butt is covered more.

 

[Vigaku]

Thanks for all the info guys. I emailed my main Doctor that I wanted proscar. Told her that I can't afford Propecia and was willing to take appropriate dosages. Wish me luck

 

[Vigaku]

Not surprisingly I get $hat on about this.

I just read the reply from my Doctor and she said she can't prescribe it because it's purpose isn't to treat hair loss, as if it ****ing matters. It isn't like Propecia only treats hair loss either. Apparently just because of the differences in the main purposes I can't get it. I even mentioned to her I can't afford Propecia while going to college at the same time.

How people who want Proscar to treat their hair loss, get Proscar baffles me. Why haven't I heard of one case where someone was prohibited from buying the drug?

Guess I'll have to find a way to get more money to buy Propecia, or hopefully my derm will give me a prescription. I've been on generic finasteride but being the paranoid guy I am I don't think it will be effective. Like I said I've been on it for 7-8 months now. Didn't notice much.

Edit: Never mind, a simple google search told me there are worthless dermatologists in this world.

Guess I'll have to see someone else (while on f***ing expensive Propecia).

Excuse my language.

 

[Vigaku]

There are 3 other dermatologists in my area.

The problem with consulting with them is that a consultation typically costs around 150 dollars. My insurance only covers consultations I would have at one type of hospital.

So, for those of you who had to see other dermatologists to get Proscar, what did you do exactly? Pay lots of cash just to see what he or she will say? Or did you have an insurance that is accepted by the other hospital you went to?

Propecia at the pharmacy I went to cost 80 dollars for 30 pills! Wtf?!

 

[Vigaku]

Excuse my triple post but I have a question that someone may know the answer to.

Can I get a prescription without having a consultation or is that the only way? To get a prescription for Proscar, do people ALWAYS have to pay for a visit to see the doctor at their office?

 

[monitoradiation]

Well. I would start looking for reputable online sources, if i were in your shoes. Frankly, your physician's either really scared of getting sued, or just doesn't know that Propecia and Proscar are the same thing in different dosages.

You can also try changing your physician. Or even a walk-in clinic, give that a shot? I cant guarantee you anything though of course...

 

[Vigaku]

Well, I know now for a fact the doctor knows diddly squat about finasteride. She even said it worked better for frontal baldness than at the crown (lololol). Luckily a knowledgeable, male derm was willing to prescribe me proscar, though I'm wondering if anyone got the generic TEVA version. Does that split as good as Proscar or does it crumble more?

 

[Ruthlessx]

My doctor has just done blood tests on me which came back fine and suggested that I get reffered to a derm, which is okay I guess.
Only trouble is I have a 70day wait and I will be back home from university at the time my appointment would be due.

What should I do? Go back to the Doctor and ask for her to just put me or it or are there other methods to get me legit propecia?

 

[Vigaku]

"ask for her to just put me or it"

I tried to figure that out, but failed.

 

[Ruthlessx]

Okay well I guess I'll just email her saying that there is a 2 month (actually 3 due to me not being here) and that I just want to start it. She knows I've researched it and her colleges have prescribed it before so if not I'l ask her to hand me over to one whos more willing.

I don't mind paying the extra money to pick up propecia prescriptions as at least I know it's legit and propecia is the whole offical FDA approved (however long that stays for) version of finasteride.

One thing tho, is it possible to cut the pro into 5th, would this give the same effect as the full 1.25 mg?

 

[Vigaku]

1.25...? 1/5 of Pro should theoretically be 1 mg...

I also took this drug thing waaay more seriously than before. Ain't buying online meds, ever ever again, even if it's for something like hair loss.

FDA approved Merck Propecia ftw.

 

[captain_que]

my dermatologist refused to give me a prescription for either Propecia or proscar. Said I´d hate him for it later on down the road when I had a non-functioning sexual life. We talked earlier about how it could also help my acne, but when it came down to it; no way josé!