Archive for the ‘Side Effects’ Category

What is Drug Induced Hair Loss?

Monday, December 31st, 2007

Many people do not realize that certain prescription medications can cause drug induced hair loss. There are several prescriptions, in categories ranging from cholesterol to acne medications, which cause people to temporarily loss their hair. Also, certain prescriptions can act as a trigger, causing the onset of male pattern baldness. Some prescriptions are known to cause permanent hair loss to occur.

Before you start a new medication, you may want to talk with your doctor about the side effects of the medication. If you are concerned about hair loss, find out if hair loss is a common side effect. You can perform your own research by performing an Internet search or by reading the entire warnings that are included in the drug manufacturer’s instruction booklet.

Before you have your prescription filled, your pharmacist can provide you with the following information on side effects. Also, many pharmacies and bookstores sell a medication guidebook. The guidebook can give you complete information on a prescription drug. There are often drug substitutes that one can take, if their medication does cause hair loss to occur.

Hair loss is a problem that affects a large portion of the population, including both men and women. Hair loss can occur because of a genetic predisposition, stress or it can be drug induced. Once hair loss occurs, it is important that you seek immediate treatment – for example, the earlier you begin to take Propecia, the better your results will be in treating hair loss.  By seeking treatment with products like Propecia, you can prevent further damage to your hair follicles and prevent hair loss from occurring further. By talking with your doctor or pharmacist, you can prevent drug induced hair loss.

The Rumor Mill: Propecia Causes Depression

Sunday, December 23rd, 2007

Whenever a new treatment is released onto the market, there are always rumors about potential side effects. Propecia, an effective oral medicine that treats hair loss, has not been an exception. There have been recent reports that depression is one of the side effects of Propecia.  However, this is not true.   

In clinical trials, there has been no evidence that links depression as a common or even a rare side effect that could occur while taking Propecia.  A clinical trial is a type of study that is designed to better understand if a new medication, like Propecia works and what the possible side effects could be. Depression has not been listed in these studies as a side effect of Propecia.

When a medication like Propecia is approved and a broader group starts to take the medication, then more side effects can arise. This is because more is exposed about the nuances of the medication as it is taken by millions of people for a long period of time. This is the time when more side effects are reported and the rumor mill swirls with false beliefs.

However, it has not been proven at this time that Propecia is linked with depression. Before you start to take Propecia, make sure to talk with your physician. Bring up any concerns that you may have and put the rumor mill to rest. Sometimes new side effects are reported. Make sure to ask your doctor, during the course of your treatment, about any new findings. Propecia is a safe prescription medication that is effective at treating hair loss in men.

Does Propecia Cause You to Gain Weight?

Saturday, December 22nd, 2007

Some men have reported concerns about weight that they gained while taking Propecia to treat their hair loss.  However, weight gain is not one of the known side effects in Propecia.  Information that has come from extensive research and clinical trials does not discuss weight gain as a side effect of taking Propecia.  

Even though weight gain was not a reported side effect, if you do notice that you have gained weight while on Propecia, there are steps that you can take. If you experience an unexplained weight gain, it is important that you make sure that you are eating a healthy diet.

It is recommended that you eat a lot of vegetables, fruits, grains, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, lean meats, fish, poultry, eggs, nuts, and beans. Make sure that you put a limit on the amount of trans fat, saturated fat, sodium, added sugars, and cholesterol that you consume.

Weight gain can be reduced by participating in a physical activity, three to four times a week, for thirty minutes at a time. Also, limit the amount of alcohol that you consume. Alcohol is usually very high in calories. If you take all of these steps and are still experiencing an increase in weight, then you should talk with your doctor.

Propecia is an effective treatment that is used to stop male pattern baldness. There is a less then one percent chance that someone taking Propecia would experience an unexplained weight gain. If you do, then follow the steps mentioned above, and that should prevent any further weight gain from happening.

Does Propecia Affect a Man’s Ability to Reproduce?

Saturday, December 15th, 2007

There have been many rumors about Propecia that have surfaced. Some rumors say that Propecia affects a man’s sex drive, while other rumors say that Propecia affects a man’s ability to reproduce. Both of these rumors can be squashed and labeled as untrue. In clinical trials, scientists have found that there is no relationship between Propecia and a man’s ability to impregnate a woman.

Also, many men wonder if Propecia will pose any risk to the fetus. In the studies that have been conducted, there has been no evidence that suggests that the fetus is at risk if the father is currently taking Propecia. A man should not worry about being able to reproduce or about any risk to the fetus, while taking Propecia.  These studies have put the rumor mill to rest.

Men can obtain Propecia with a prescription from their doctor. There are two ways that Propecia is dispensed. Propecia tablets are usually one milligram. The tablets are octagonal, tan and have a film coating. Most often Propecia is prescribed in a unit bottle of thirty tablets. Another way that it is prescribed is in a carton of three unit bottles. It is up to your doctor on which Propecia pack will be prescribed to you.

Before you let a rumor stop you from taking Propecia, talk with your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will be able to give you the facts. Propecia is an effective way to treat hair loss that does not affect a man’s sex drive or his ability to reproduce. Propecia is a safe way to effectively treat male pattern hair loss.

 

Information to Discuss With Your Physician Before Taking Propecia

Monday, December 3rd, 2007

Before you start to take Propecia, it is crucial that you inform your healthcare provider if you suffer from liver disease. Men who have liver disease may have to take a reduced dose of Propecia and will require special monitoring and blood work performed during the entire course of treatment. Now, if your liver disease is in the advance stages, your doctor may not prescribe Propecia for you at all.

It is very important that a woman, especially if pregnant, does not handle or take Propecia. This is because Propecia may cause an unborn baby to have a birth defect. The Food and Drug Administration has classified Propecia in the category X when relating to pregnancy. If a woman may become pregnant, she should not handle broken or crushed tablets of Propecia. This is because the medication can be absorbed through the layers of the skin.

If there is a pregnant woman in your household, it is important to talk with your doctor about the risks of Propecia. The risks only occur if the pregnant woman handles Propecia. If you are having any other health problems or other issues, it is essential that you tell your doctor before starting treatment with Propecia. This will ensure that Propecia will not affect your current health conditions or react with the medications that you are already taking. Propecia is a safe and successful treatment that prevents male pattern hair loss from progressing. There are thousands of men who have had positive results with Propecia, and it does not cause any known side effects or reactions with other medications.