Finasteride appearing to stop working after 12 years

[Optimistic]

I've been on Finasteride 1mg a day since 2009. I've also been on Minoxidil 5% +MPG (Medroxyprogesterone) since 2001 and Minoxidil 8% +MPG since 2018. I also use Nizoral (2% Ketoconazole) 2 to 3 times a week.

I've always been consistent and maintained, as well as strengthened, growth over that time, however, during 2019, I noticed a lot more thinning at the temples and front area. The crown and everywhere else is still strong and full.

Has anyone else noticed reduced efficacy of either Finasteride or Minoxidil after being on it for long periods of time?

I'm considering an FUE transplant if this thinning continues, but I'm very thorough in my research and still have to be convinced of the ease of finding genuine surgeons who can offer high guarantees of success.

 

[Moz5x]

I've been on Finasteride 1mg a day since 2009. I've also been on Minoxidil 5% +MPG (Medroxyprogesterone) since 2001 and Minoxidil 8% +MPG since 2018. I also use Nizoral (2% Ketoconazole) 2 to 3 times a week.

I've always been consistent and maintained, as well as strengthened, growth over that time, however, during 2019, I noticed a lot more thinning at the temples and front area. The crown and everywhere else is still strong and full.

Has anyone else noticed reduced efficacy of either Finasteride or Minoxidil after being on it for long periods of time?

I'm considering an FUE transplant if this thinning continues, but I'm very thorough in my research and still have to be convinced of the ease of finding genuine surgeons who can offer high guarantees of success.

12 years is a good run of maintenance. Have you ruled out the possibility the pharmacy changed the generic finasteride you take? Have you considered increasing your finasteride dosage or switching to dutasteride?

 

[Optimistic]

Actually, I was buying Proscar (propecia/finasteride) 5mg tablets and cutting them into four as it's the same product, but works out 4 times cheaper. I asked the doctor who I obtain it from about Dutasteride, but I'd need another full consultations and I didn't want to go down that road yet as I know there were initially problems with side effects. In February this year I changed my provider and am now on single 1mg Finasteride tablets, but the thinning doesn't appear to have ceased.

It could be that the Proscar I got last year was a different brand to what I'm used to, but now I'm on Finasteride supplied by Accord from Simple Online Pharmacy.

The thinning is only at the temples and frontal area though. I've heard conflicting reports over the years that Finasteride only works on the crown and that Minoxidil works on temples/frontal area, and vice versa.

All I know is that from being on Minoxidil for 20 years in total and on Finasteride for 12 years, and from the excellent fundamental advice on this website, I've been doing everything I can to stop my hair loss.

 

[Ollie]

Out of interest over what time frame did finasteride continue to regrow / strengthen your hair to the point where it ‘peaked’ ?

 

[Moz5x]

Actually, I was buying Proscar (propecia/finasteride) 5mg tablets and cutting them into four as it's the same product, but works out 4 times cheaper. I asked the doctor who I obtain it from about Dutasteride, but I'd need another full consultations and I didn't want to go down that road yet as I know there were initially problems with side effects. In February this year I changed my provider and am now on single 1mg Finasteride tablets, but the thinning doesn't appear to have ceased.

It could be that the Proscar I got last year was a different brand to what I'm used to, but now I'm on Finasteride supplied by Accord from Simple Online Pharmacy.

The thinning is only at the temples and frontal area though. I've heard conflicting reports over the years that Finasteride only works on the crown and that Minoxidil works on temples/frontal area, and vice versa.

All I know is that from being on Minoxidil for 20 years in total and on Finasteride for 12 years, and from the excellent fundamental advice on this website, I've been doing everything I can to stop my hair loss.

How old are you? Only surgery will likely bring back temples and hairline at this point. Those areas only ever seem to regrow in the youngest early Norwood stage super responders to finasteride. Perhaps consider adding tretinoin to enhance the efficacy of topical min or try oral min. This might help thicken up your existing hairline/front third.

 

[Optimistic]

Out of interest over what time frame did finasteride continue to regrow / strengthen your hair to the point where it ‘peaked’ ?

It seemed to work very well from about 8 months after I was on it until a peak around 2018, so 9 years.

 

[Optimistic]

How old are you? Only surgery will likely bring back temples and hairline at this point. Those areas only ever seem to regrow in the youngest early Norwood stage super responders to finasteride. Perhaps consider adding tretinoin to enhance the efficacy of topical min or try oral min. This might help thicken up your existing hairline/front third.

I'm 48. Thanks for the advice regarding tretinoin, but oral Minoxidil isn't licenced in the UK and even then it's only recommended in low doses. I'll do more research and decide. Another poster has messaged me and suggested changing my brand of Finasteride from Accord to Mylan, as he had the same experience on Accord, so that's the first thing I'm going to do.

 

[Moz5x]

I'm 48. Thanks for the advice regarding tretinoin, but oral Minoxidil isn't licenced in the UK and even then it's only recommended in low doses. I'll do more research and decide. Another poster has messaged me and suggested changing my brand of Finasteride from Accord to Mylan, as he had the same experience on Accord, so that's the first thing I'm going to do.

I have responded better to brand name propecia versus camber generic but everyone can respond differently. Hopefully the switch to Mylan works out for you. After much research I decided to try oral minoxidil 2.5mg and I was able to tolerate it and increased to 5mg two months ago and so far so good. It is not a miracle drug but it did help to thicken up my hair and reduce daily shedding. Below is a discussion on oral min side effects that I found useful. Good luck!

 

[DoctorHouse]

I've been on Finasteride 1mg a day since 2009. I've also been on Minoxidil 5% +MPG (Medroxyprogesterone) since 2001 and Minoxidil 8% +MPG since 2018. I also use Nizoral (2% Ketoconazole) 2 to 3 times a week.

I've always been consistent and maintained, as well as strengthened, growth over that time, however, during 2019, I noticed a lot more thinning at the temples and front area. The crown and everywhere else is still strong and full.

Has anyone else noticed reduced efficacy of either Finasteride or Minoxidil after being on it for long periods of time?

I'm considering an FUE transplant if this thinning continues, but I'm very thorough in my research and still have to be convinced of the ease of finding genuine surgeons who can offer high guarantees of success.

Long term finasteride users who are now over 40 are stating that finasteride stopped working. Finasteride still does what it's suppose to do but by 40 your androgen sensitivity increases and age related thinning sets in as well and you will see some decline. finasteride is not a cure. So you will continue to lose but at a very slow pace. Over a decade that accumulation will eventually show unless you started with uber thick hair like John Stamos.

 

[AlexCross]

I've been on Finasteride 1mg a day since 2009. I've also been on Minoxidil 5% +MPG (Medroxyprogesterone) since 2001 and Minoxidil 8% +MPG since 2018. I also use Nizoral (2% Ketoconazole) 2 to 3 times a week.

I've always been consistent and maintained, as well as strengthened, growth over that time, however, during 2019, I noticed a lot more thinning at the temples and front area. The crown and everywhere else is still strong and full.

Has anyone else noticed reduced efficacy of either Finasteride or Minoxidil after being on it for long periods of time?

I'm considering an FUE transplant if this thinning continues, but I'm very thorough in my research and still have to be convinced of the ease of finding genuine surgeons who can offer high guarantees of success.

hello. I also want to start taking finasteride in the near future. Tell me, what dose did you start with and what side effects did you have during these 12 years?

 

[Optimistic]

hello. I also want to start taking finasteride in the near future. Tell me, what dose did you start with and what side effects did you have during these 12 years?

Hi Alex - I began on 1.25mg back in 2009. I used to receive the 5mg tablets of Proscar (same ingredient of propecia, but it's 5 x the strength and prescribed for enlarged prostate) and cut them into 4 (=1.25mg) In 2019 the branding changed to Accord and I noticed increased thinning at the temples so I changed the Accord brand of Finasteride 1mg tablets in January this year as they'd become cheaper but the thinning has increased. I'm changing the brand to Mylan this week as recommended by one of the posters in this thread.

I only experienced a few side effects early on which was mild testicular pain for about the first month. After that I had no side effects I can report, except perhaps mild impotence sometimes, but nothing Tadalafil (Cialis) or Sildenafil (v****) wouldn't solve depending on which of those suits you.

I'd fully recommend getting on propecia (Finasteride 1mg, or Procar 5mg cut into 4) as soon as you can for prevention of hairloss as it's the most efficacious medication for stopping/slowing down male pattern baldness.

 

[AlexCross]

Hi Alex - I began on 1.25mg back in 2009. I used to receive the 5mg tablets of Proscar (same ingredient of propecia, but it's 5 x the strength and prescribed for enlarged prostate) and cut them into 4 (=1.25mg) In 2019 the branding changed to Accord and I noticed increased thinning at the temples so I changed the Accord brand of Finasteride 1mg tablets in January this year as they'd become cheaper but the thinning has increased. I'm changing the brand to Mylan this week as recommended by one of the posters in this thread.

I only experienced a few side effects early on which was mild testicular pain for about the first month. After that I had no side effects I can report, except perhaps mild impotence sometimes, but nothing Tadalafil (Cialis) or Sildenafil (v****) wouldn't solve depending on which of those suits you.

I'd fully recommend getting on propecia (Finasteride 1mg, or Procar 5mg cut into 4) as soon as you can for prevention of hairloss as it's the most efficacious medication for stopping/slowing down male pattern baldness.

Thanks for the information. I am just now looking for an online store or a pharmacy with delivery in Europe, but something does not work out to find the best option, since 1mg of finasteride is not sold in my country. I found a generic propecia - finpecia. Perhaps you can tell me some kind of electronic resource where I could order this drug or any other analogue?

 

[Optimistic]

I get mine from Simple Online Pharmacy. Previously I obtained my Proscar 5mg (split into 4) from a doctor here in the UK where I live.

Where are you?

 

[AlexCross]

I get mine from Simple Online Pharmacy. Previously I obtained my Proscar 5mg (split into 4) from a doctor here in the UK where I live.

Where are you?

I'm from Ukraine. We seem to have finasteride, but only for the prostate gland (5 milligrams), but I'm not sure if its chemical composition is identical to that of finasteride for hair (propecia, finpecia, etc.)

 

[Optimistic]

In response to the very helpful responses here over the last week I've done the following.

Changed my Finasteride from the the Accord brand to Mylan as poster "20 Years on finasteride" advised me to after he had good results doing the same.

I've also obtained topical Finasteride 0.05% and Minoxidil 5% which I apply in the morning.

I'm continuing to apply Minoxidil 8% + Medroxyprogesterone + caffeine in the evening.

I'm also going to look at taking curcumin and resveratrol after I've researched them.

Does anyone know if taking Finasteride 1mg tablet every night and the topical Finasteride 0.05% in the morning has any contra-indications?

Thanks to everyone who answered my original post.

 

[Jpw1999]

I'm from Ukraine. We seem to have finasteride, but only for the prostate gland (5 milligrams), but I'm not sure if its chemical composition is identical to that of finasteride for hair (propecia, finpecia, etc.)

Many people use proscar (5mg finasteride) and cut the pill up into quarters, it's way cheaper to do it that way too.

 

[AlexCross]

Many people use proscar (5mg finasteride) and cut the pill up into quarters, it's way cheaper to do it that way too.

Like a proscar? is proscar a good choice?

 

[Mr White]

[...]

Has anyone else noticed reduced efficacy of either Finasteride or Minoxidil after being on it for long periods of time?

[...]

Same here.

Finasteride stopped working for me after 18+ years of daily use. I'm now on Avodart and it works, I suggest you try it.

 

[AlexCross]

Same here.

Finasteride stopped working for me after 18+ years of daily use. I'm now on Avodart and it works, I suggest you try it.

Finasteride, as far as I know, cannot stop working, as it is not addictive. Chances are, your alopecia just got worse with age.

 

[Optimistic]

Like a proscar? is proscar a good choice?

Proscar is the same drug as Finasteride (both are Propecia) except its 5 x the strength, i.e. a 5mg tablet instead of a 1mg tablet. Proscar is prescribed for men with an enlarged prostate, but 1mg (Finasteride) is ample for controlling male pattern baldness.

Cutting it into 5 will give you 5 x 1mg pieces, but it's easier to cut it into 4 giving you 1.25mg.

It works out cheaper because it's 5 x cheaper as Finasteride is sold at an inflated price.