Minoxidil



The drug is thought to enlarge hair follicles and stir up resting follicles to get them to start growing. Perhaps it also eggs on follicles that are growing, so they continue doing so for longer periods.

Disadvantages

follicles and stir up resting follicles to get them to start growing. Perhaps it also eggs on follicles that are growing, so they continue doing so for longer periods.

i.Regrowth, however, occurred much less often, and mainly in younger men

ii. Main side effect is scalp itching

iii.Originally approved to treat high blood pressure, Regaine should be used with some caution in people with a history of heart problems, dizziness, chest pains or a rapid heart beat.



Propecia

It is already well known that an enzyme converts the male hormone, testosterone, into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which damages hair follicles and causes hair to stop growing in men genetically predisposed to it. Propecia lowers DHT levels by blocking the enzyme that produces it.

Disadvantages

1. 2 to 5 per cent chance you may develop some problems that may crush your manhood, include tenderness and enlargement of the breast tissues, pain in the testes, reversible impotence and loss of sex drive.

2. It may also cause abnormalities in sperm, so if someone on Propecia wants to father a child, he should stop taking the medication a few months beforehand



Avodart

Unlikes Propecia inhibits the 5 AR-2 enzyme only, Avodart (Glaxo Smith Kline) inhibits both 5AR-2 and 5AR-1 enzymes. So it may be a more potent treatment for hair loss.

Disadvantages

The greatest concern however, is the potential duration of side effects. The long half life of dutasteride exceeds 240 hours vs. the rather short 6 to 8 hours for finasteride. There have been some cases where the DHT levels were still had only returned to 25% of their original levels nearly a YEAR after having discontinued Dutasteride. As a result, any dangers or side effects that may be seen from Avodart, whether directly related or as a hypersensitive or allergic reaction may take literally months to resolve.