Is hair loss in my future?
Mild to moderate male pattern hair loss affects about 50% of men in the United States by age 50. Hair loss is a common problem with many men. A nationwide survey of single, balding men, the biggest appearance-related concern was hair loss. Hair loss can begin in your teens, 20s, or 30s, and by the time you notice it, 50% of your hair may already be gone.

What causes male pattern hair loss?
Scientists believe DHT and family history are key factors in hair loss. DHT is a substance found in your body that can shrink the hair follicle until it no longer produces visible hair. In men with a family history of hair loss, DHT is believed to contribute to the progressive shrinking of hair follicles and a decrease in the number of visible hairs. If you have a family history of hair loss on either side of your family, you may have an increased risk for male pattern hair loss.

How does PROPECIA work?
PROPECIA works on a key cause of hair loss by significantly reducing the amount of DHT. Specifically, PROPECIA blocks the formation of DHT in your scalp. Lowering DHT appears to inhibit the further shrinking of affected hair follicles. The effectiveness of PROPECIA was demonstrated in studies of men, aged 18 to 41, with mild to moderate hair loss at the top and middle front of the head. PROPECIA is for MEN ONLY and should not be taken by women or children.

When should I start PROPECIA?
If you have male pattern hair loss, the sooner you get started on PROPECIA, the more hair you may have later. In fact, in the longest reported controlled study of male pattern hair loss ever conducted, men who were started on a placebo (sugar pill) and then placed on PROPECIA 1 year later never caught up to the men who were on PROPECIA for the full 5 years.

Is there scientific evidence that PROPECIA works?
A 5-year clinical study demonstrated the effectiveness of PROPECIA.

• 9 out of 10 men on PROPECIA had visible results (either regrowth of hair, 48% [134 out of 279], or no further hair loss, 42% [117 out of 279]) vs 25% (4 out of 16) on placebo (sugar pill), according to an assessment of photographs by an independent panel of dermatologists.
• 2 out of 3 men on PROPECIA regrew hair, as measured by hair count. All the men in the study who were not taking PROPECIA lost hair.
• A majority of men on PROPECIA were rated as improved by doctors: 77% (210 out of 271) vs 15% (2 out of 13) with placebo.
• A majority of men on PROPECIA reported their bald spot getting smaller, their hair loss slowing down, and the appearance of their hair improving.

PROPECIA is for MEN ONLY. Further treatment is unlikely to help if the drug has not worked within 12 months. If you stop taking PROPECIA, you will likely lose the hair you have gained within 12 months of stopping treatment.

How effective is PROPECIA at regrowing hair?
2 out of 3 men on PROPECIA regrew hair, as measured by hair count. The maximum increase in hair count with PROPECIA occurred in the first 2 years of the study.

Women who are or may potentially be pregnant must not use PROPECIA and should not handle crushed or broken PROPECIA tablets because the active ingredient may cause abnormalities of a male baby’s sex organs. If a woman who is pregnant comes into contact with the active ingredient in PROPECIA, a doctor should be consulted. PROPECIA tablets are coated and will prevent contact with the active ingredient during normal handling, provided that the tablets are not broken or crushed.

Will there be a visible difference if I stay on PROPECIA?
9 out of 10 patients on PROPECIA had visible results (maintenance or improvement) according to photographic assessments by an independent panel of dermatologists. An expert panel of dermatologists determined that 90% (251 out of 279) of men on PROPECIA at 5 years had improvement or no visible hair loss vs 25% (4 out of 16) on placebo (sugar pill).

Will I grow natural-looking hair?
A study showed that hair grew in thicker and/or faster as PROPECIA grows natural hair. At the end of a 4-year study, there was an increase in the weight of hair samples taken from the men on PROPECIA compared to hair samples taken from the men on a placebo (sugar pill).

How fast can PROPECIA work, and how long should I continue taking it?
Take PROPECIA daily and you could see results in as little as 3 months. If you stop taking PROPECIA, however, your results will gradually go away over 12 months. And if PROPECIA hasn’t worked in 12 months, further treatment is unlikely to be of benefit.

What are the side effects of PROPECIA, and how often do they occur?
The following side effects have been reported: allergic reactions including rash, itching, hives, and swelling of the lips and face; problems with ejaculation; breast tenderness and enlargement; and testicular pain. You should promptly report to your doctor any changes in your breasts such as lumps, pain, or nipple discharge. Tell your doctor about these or any other side effects.

Can I take PROPECIA if my wife and I are starting a family?
Contact with the semen from a man being treated with PROPECIA is not a risk to the unborn child of a pregnant woman. You can take PROPECIA if you and your wife are trying to conceive or if your wife is currently pregnant. However, women who are or may potentially be pregnant must not use PROPECIA and should not handle crushed or broken tablets of PROPECIA because doing so may cause abnormalities of a male baby’s sex organs. PROPECIA is for MEN ONLY. PROPECIA tablets are coated and will prevent contact with the active ingredient during normal handling, provided that the tablets have not been broken or crushed.