Propecia, also known as finasteride, is the first oral medication to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the purpose of preventing hair loss. It is a prescription drug that is taken in the form of a pill. It has been available in the U.S. market since 1997.

What is the Success Rate for Propecia?

Propecia has been overwhelmingly successful for the past nine years. Almost all studies show that the drug produces some sort of beneficial effect for the majority of users. A handful of studies indicate that around eighty percent of Propecia users experience a cessation in hair loss. In a significant number of cases, hair loss was not only prevented, it was reversed ? Propecia actually caused a good amount of hair to grow back.

There are, of course, a few things that must be understood about Propecia. First, the effects of the drug are not immediate. For the most part, you will have to wait around three months before you see any results. If you stop treatment before you've passed three months, you may not see any results at all. It's best to be patient.

Second, you must treat the use of Propecia as an ongoing treatment. Keep in mind that balding is an ongoing process. The drug helps you stave off this process; delays it for years. Once you stop using Propecia, however, you can expect to see accelerating hair loss and hair thinning. With this in mind, you might consider using Propecia for as long as it works for you.