THE BELGRAVIA CENTRE HAIR LOSS BLOG

Question: My doctor refuses to prescribe me Propecia, saying she wouldn’t give it to her own son because it is such a risky drug and long term studies i.e. over 10 years have not been conducted. How can you prescribe Propecia in light of these sentiments from a respected medical doctor? Many thanks.

Answer: The British National Formulary (BNF) is a joint publication of the British Medical Association and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. It is published biannually under the authority of a Joint Formulary Committee which comprises representatives of the two professional bodies and of the UK Health Departments. The BNF aims to provide doctors, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals with sound up-to-date information about the use of medicines.

BNF recommends Propecia (Finasteride) 1mg as a treatment for Male Pattern Baldness. The side effects are very rare and temporary (you can get a better idea on our Propecia Side Effects page).

Perhaps your doctor is not aware that the active product found in Propecia - Finasteride, was first used in a much larger dose (5mg compared to 1mg) to treat benign prostate hyperplasia 20 years ago and it is still one of the treatments for this condition. During this period of 20 years the medicine has not been linked with severe permanent side effects. In fact there is a recent study that indicates finasteride may in fact help prevent prostate cancer.

Please feel free to present this information to your GP.

Dr. Elena Dimitrova Koleva