How Long Do I Have to Take Propecia (Finasteride) for Hair Loss?

This question, from a member of our Hair Loss Social Community and Discussion Forums, was answered by recommended hair transplant surgeon Dr. Richard Mejia: 

I’m currently taking Propecia (finsteride) for my hair loss, and I’m beginning to wonder how long I will actually take this drug. I’m not sure if it will be for a few years or a few decades, and I’m wondering how long hair loss sufferers normally take finasteride?

Dr. Mejia:

What I tell my patients is you only need to take it as long as you are concerned about your hair loss.

Once you get to a point in your life where it does not matter you can always stop it. For some people, that day never comes. For others who seem to get into hair transplantation early on in life, it comes after they get married and have kids and realize the hair is not as important as other factors in there life.

This is the reason I caution young patients with a strong family history of balding to not rush into hair transplant surgery and to start medical therapy to slow the process down. If you have side effects they are reversible once you stop them. I have never had a patient with permanent side effects.

Altogether, the length of time you will/can take finasteride is variable, and really depends on your wants, needs, surgical intervention, and potential reaction to the drug.

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Blake – aka Future_HT_Doc

Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum

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