In a global photographic assessment clinical study, 90% of men either grew hair or had no hair loss vs.25% who were on a placebo.
True. Based on a global photographic assessment by an independent panel of dermatologists, more men on PROPECIA regrew hair than did men on the placebo. Learn more about the results from clinical studies.
Causes of Male Pattern Hair Loss (MPHL)
Your mother’s father has plenty of hair, so you won’t go bald, right? Not so fast. Actually, MPHL can be inherited from either side of the family. Your hair follicles may be more susceptible to a chemical in the body called dihydrotestosterone, or DHT.
DHT and MPHL
Men with MPHL have elevated levels of DHT in their balding scalps. Scientists believe DHT contributes to the progressive shrinking of hair follicles and a decrease in the number of visible hairs.
DHT is a substance in the scalp that can shrink the hair follicle until it no longer produces visible hair. Scientists believe DHT and family history are key factors in hair loss. PROPECIA blocks the formulation of DHT in the scalp. Learn more about how PROPECIA works.
Other causes of hair loss
- Illness
- Major surgery
- Disease
- Medications
- Alopecia areata
Talk to your doctor. He or she can determine the cause of your hair loss and recommend medical treatment.
Important Information About PROPECIA
PROPECIA was developed to treat mild to moderate male pattern hair loss on the vertex (top of head) and anterior mid-scalp area (middle front of head) in MEN ONLY. There is not sufficient evidence that PROPECIA works for receding hairlines at the temples.
PROPECIA is for the treatment of male pattern hair loss in MEN ONLY and should NOT be used by women or children.
Women who are or may potentially be pregnant must not use PROPECIA and should not handle crushed or broken PROPECIA tablets because the active ingredient may cause abnormalities of a male baby’s sex organs. If a woman who is pregnant comes into contact with the active ingredient in PROPECIA, a doctor should be consulted. PROPECIA tablets are coated and will prevent contact with the active ingredient during normal handling, provided that the tablets are not broken or crushed.
In clinical studies for PROPECIA, a small number of men experienced certain sexual side effects, such as less desire for sex, difficulty in achieving an erection, or a decrease in the amount of semen. Each of these side effects occurred in less than 2% of men and went away in men who stopped taking PROPECIA because of them.
You may need to take PROPECIA daily for 3 months or more before you see a benefit from taking PROPECIA. If PROPECIA has not worked for you within 12 months, further treatment is unlikely to be of benefit.
PROPECIA can only work over the long term if you continue taking it. If you stop taking PROPECIA, you will likely lose any hair you have gained within 12 months of stopping treatment.
Although results will vary, generally you will not be able to grow back all the hair you have lost.
Know the facts. PROPECIA is available by prescription only, so the best thing to do is talk with your doctor.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
PROPECIA, MerckSource, and Helping make hair loss history are registered trademarks of Merck & Co., Inc.. Other brands mentioned are the trademarks of their respective owners and are not trademarks of Merck & Co., Inc.
