There are two main drugs that people (mostly men) use to prevent baldness from occurring. One is Rogaine, the other is Propecia. These are the only hair loss drugs that are approved by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of hair loss. They are also the only drugs that have shown any effectiveness against baldness.

The Hair Loss Drugs: How They Work

Propecia: The New Drug on the Block

Propecia (finasteride) is taken in the form of a pill, and it is ingested once daily. It prevents baldness by inhibiting a hormone called DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which most experts believe cause the majority of hair loss. Statistics show that Propecia showed results for 80% of men who ingested it, by either stopping hair loss or even allowing some hair to grow back. Propecia is a powerful drug and is only available by prescription.

Rogaine: Old Faithful

Rogaine (minoxidil) is the other drug that is extensively used for hair loss. Unlike Propecia, it usually comes in the form of a liquid that is applied to the scalp twice a day. It prevents baldness by revitalizing shrunken or dying hair follicles, in the process increasing their size. Used daily, Rogaine may begin to produce longer and thicker hairs than would otherwise be the case.

The Verdict

Most people who have used both these drugs maintain that Propecia is the more effective of the two. Even more effective than simply using Propecia, however, is using both Propecia and Rogaine. The combination of the two drugs will give you faster, longer lasting results than would be otherwise possible.