Whats the deal with topical Finesteride? Bryan?
- Thread starter stax
- Start date
been lots of small studies done. Different vehicles (the liquids it is in), and different results. On of them used 0.025% finasteride, 25% water, 50% ethanol, 25% PG, over 50 guys. 6 months results were as good as that of Propecia.
Many pill pastes failed.
Use 10% octyl salicylate, 15% PG and I think you will get better results. Store it in the fridge, and only make a 4 week supply at a time.
Topical curcumin supposedly does the same thing, and is way cheaper. Not sure which is stronger, though the curcumin is applied in such high doses (cheap) that it may be as strong as the much lower finasteride dose. See white curcumin thread in experimental section.
Many pill pastes failed.
Use 10% octyl salicylate, 15% PG and I think you will get better results. Store it in the fridge, and only make a 4 week supply at a time.
Topical curcumin supposedly does the same thing, and is way cheaper. Not sure which is stronger, though the curcumin is applied in such high doses (cheap) that it may be as strong as the much lower finasteride dose. See white curcumin thread in experimental section.
stax
Experienced Member
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Well i dont like the effects that inhibiting DHT have on me, and would love to maintain and thicken my hair using topicals.
Some people say topical finasteride doesnt get absorbed systematically, some do.
Can i just get a straight answer on the subject, and if anybody has different aswers can you argue your point?
Some people say topical finasteride doesnt get absorbed systematically, some do.
Can i just get a straight answer on the subject, and if anybody has different aswers can you argue your point?
stax said:
From the Propecia info leaflet - "Crushed or broken tablets of 'Propecia' should not be handled by women when they are or may potentially be pregnant because of the possibility of absorption of finasteride and the subsequent potential risk to a male foetus. 'Propecia' tablets are coated to prevent contact with the active ingredient during normal handling, provided that the tablets are not broken or crushed."
joseph49853
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Dare I say, have you guys ever considered simply *trying* topical finasteride? Or do you need a study to lead you by the nose, or for Merck to create and market a product? They won't simply because it would compete with their active patent for oral finasteride.
And what's with the disingenuous statements about systemic absorption? The average oral ingestion rate for Propecia is 30mg a month. Compare that to perhaps .5mg a month diluted in a 60ml minoxidil solution. Let's say 25% of that topical finasteride gets systemically absorbed. That's still only .125mg of finasteride a month.
And what's with the disingenuous statements about systemic absorption? The average oral ingestion rate for Propecia is 30mg a month. Compare that to perhaps .5mg a month diluted in a 60ml minoxidil solution. Let's say 25% of that topical finasteride gets systemically absorbed. That's still only .125mg of finasteride a month.
KielMcK
Experienced Member
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I do use topical finasteride. I have no idea if it works becaus eI take 1.5 propecia pill a day along with spironolactone on my hairline and roagine foam everywhere else. All I did was crush up 8 propecia pills and throw them in my spironolactone. It more then likely is a waste but the hair is lookin good so I'm sticking to it.
joseph49853
Experienced Member
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Cassin said:
Are you kidding me Cassin? So they can sit on it? Classic maneuver. When one patent expires they will have the market cornered on topical finasteride. In fact, Merck has (for the last fourteen years) also sat on a patent for CoQ10 to be coadministered with Mevacor.
As everyone knows, statins greatly deplete CoQ10, among other vital vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, and nutrients. This CoQ10 deficiency can in turn cause tons of nasty sides, including: memory loss, TGA, neuropathy, congestive heart failure, and fatal instances of rhabdomyolysis.
Although, keeping a CoQ10/statin drug off the market is a far more heinous action compared to topical finasteride... even if applying finasteride locally is theoretically safer than oral ingestion. Which is why I don't understand the mentality of those trying to discourage topical finasteride use, those who are otherwise pro-oral ingestion.
Cassin said:
I don't know. You tell me. It was effective for me during the six months of my using finasteride locally -- and again, negligable side effects. I might have continued if not for running out of finasteride.
joseph49853
Experienced Member
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Well the treatment of topical finasteride is available overseas. I believe there's one such treatment called Lipoxidil, and uses lipsomes and zinc(?). The effectiveness is probably related to the carriers. There just isn't enough research in the area of topical finasteride and hairloss, and several variables to consider.
I remember reading one sole study that stated serum DHT dropped 40% on a .05 topical solution, but with no additional hair growth. Then a few years later these findings were contradicted as far as serum DHT. There's another much more recent 2007 study from Mazandaran University in Iran that found similar therapeutic effects between topical (.1%?) and oral ingestion. Who knows?
And I really shouldn't say side-effects were negligible. After jogging my memory a bit (it's been a while) I was no longer getting spontaneous morning erections after using minoxidil/topical finasteride 1x a day. I had actually stopped oral finasteride for several months due to sides, and then started topical finasteride on a whim. I noticed my rate of hairloss diminished greatly after only two applications, especially at the crown. Of course, there isn't any way to determine where there was any new hair growth due to topical finasteride. For what it's worth, there wasn't nearly as a much a problem of maintaining an erection, as compared even to an oral dose of .25mg though.
I still think it's worth giving a shot, for someone who has a few pills available and is suffering from sides. Part of the Merck patent talks about the lowest possible topical dosage while still maintaining efficacy. I guess there's always nizoral, spironolactone, green tea and grape seed extract, bayberry too as yet even more options. I don't think we're as limited as most people believe. I always say you don't know until you at least try, as not everyone balds for the identical reason, or in the same manner.
For me, I think I'm likely done with finasteride in general though. In my particular case of alopecia, I've since discovered methods that work better with no sexual sides. Again, take it for what it's worth.
I remember reading one sole study that stated serum DHT dropped 40% on a .05 topical solution, but with no additional hair growth. Then a few years later these findings were contradicted as far as serum DHT. There's another much more recent 2007 study from Mazandaran University in Iran that found similar therapeutic effects between topical (.1%?) and oral ingestion. Who knows?
And I really shouldn't say side-effects were negligible. After jogging my memory a bit (it's been a while) I was no longer getting spontaneous morning erections after using minoxidil/topical finasteride 1x a day. I had actually stopped oral finasteride for several months due to sides, and then started topical finasteride on a whim. I noticed my rate of hairloss diminished greatly after only two applications, especially at the crown. Of course, there isn't any way to determine where there was any new hair growth due to topical finasteride. For what it's worth, there wasn't nearly as a much a problem of maintaining an erection, as compared even to an oral dose of .25mg though.
I still think it's worth giving a shot, for someone who has a few pills available and is suffering from sides. Part of the Merck patent talks about the lowest possible topical dosage while still maintaining efficacy. I guess there's always nizoral, spironolactone, green tea and grape seed extract, bayberry too as yet even more options. I don't think we're as limited as most people believe. I always say you don't know until you at least try, as not everyone balds for the identical reason, or in the same manner.
For me, I think I'm likely done with finasteride in general though. In my particular case of alopecia, I've since discovered methods that work better with no sexual sides. Again, take it for what it's worth.