The hair loss drug Propecia has been a real money spinner for its manufacturer Merck and its popularity continues to grow. Propecia is the first hair loss medication that involves the simple process of just taking a pill daily and therefore does not involve any complicated tonics and lotions to be applied to the scalp. It works by preventing the build up of DHT (a by product of testosterone) that collects in the male scalp and weakens and eventually kills hair follicles. Propecia works only for male pattern balding that is genetic and hereditary and not for any other hair loss conditions.

The Propecia drug can only be prescribed for men who have mild or moderate hair loss on their scalp and not for men who have suffered complete male pattern hair loss. Clinical testing has shown it to increase hair growth and slow and stop hair loss. The good news is that it does not effect the hair on other parts on the body and so you won't suddenly start to look like a gorilla.

Most men who have used Propecia normally say that they see some sort of improvement at around three months after starting the course but other report that it takes longer to work. It is important to keep using it for sometime before giving up as only very few men report no hair loss betterment in the long term. When you cease to take the Propecia the build up of DHT in the scalp will resume and you hair loss will therefore result too.

The active ingredient of Propecia is finasteride which also the active ingredient in Proscar that is used for to prevent prostate enlargement in men. Propecia will lower the PSA readings if you are tested for prostate cancer and so men who are using Propecia must inform their doctors of this fact before an medical check ups and before using other drugs.

Propecia is a hair loss remedy for men only and must not be used by women in any circumstances. Tests using animals showed that finasteride the key ingredient of Propecia would create an abnormal development in the genitals of a male foetus and therefore should be kept well away from women. The Propecia drug has been coated with a protective lining however even handling crushed or broken Propecia pills is dangerous for pregnant women so great care must be taken with the storage of the Propecia drug.

In very few men side effects can occur and they are breast sensitivity and sometimes enlargement smaller amounts of semen when ejaculating, lowered sex drive. In very rare cases impotence, a rash or pain in the testes may occur. Tell your doctor if you experience any of these and if you have had any liver problems in the past. Propecia has no drug interactions reported.