Why 1 mg of Propecia ?

[vinodhkumar]

History:

I do have male pattern baldness and my doctor prescribed Propecia 1mg. I was having it regularly for the past 3 months. I have not noticed any change in my hair level (It is too early too), However, the sides have made an early appearance. I cant get "wood".

And Now:

Afraid that it could become a permanent or a long term effect, I have decided to give up on the tablet. I was researching the net to see if what is happening with me and get more info on the tablet (Since they say less than 2% have sides) and I come across articles that say that .2 or .5 mg of the pill is just as effective.

Then we have this from the FDA website:

http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dailys ... av0001.pdf

So,

1. Is it true that lower than 1 mg is just as effective ?
2. Can I split the 1mg pill into 4 parts and take it ?
3. Does any one have any past experience with Propecia dosages and sides - As in u took a lower dose and the sides went away ?
4. If 1 is true then why dont they have smaller dose pills ? Is the FDA being irresponsible ?

 

[Bryan]

A somewhat smaller dose isn't "just as effective", it's NEARLY as effective, which isn't the same thing. Finasteride's dose/response curve is fairly flat, but not perfectly flat. Whether or not you could eliminate the side effects by taking a smaller dose while maintaining the protective effects on your hair, is way up in the air. Try it and see! If you're very lucky, maybe it'll work for you.

Personally, I've never considered trying to eliminate or reduce side effects to be a very good reason for reducing your finasteride dose. I think saving money is a better reason to do that.