Dealing with hair loss continues to be a common and growing concern for many people. The panicked search for any and all hair loss treatments out there leaves many people stressed and overwhelmed. There are many causes for hair loss but the most common cause worldwide is hereditary hair loss, also known as male pattern hair loss or female pattern hair loss. Hair loss can also occur with age, disease, or hormonal imbalances. Effective treatment for hair loss begins with an accurate diagnosis from a board-certified doctor or dermatologist.

The two most common medications that people come across in their search for solutions are Minoxidil and Finasteride. Let’s dive into each of these medications and then we’ll discuss if they can be used together.

Minoxidil:

Some hair loss can be treated with vitamins such as biotin, iron or zinc, but the most common over-the-counter treatment for hair loss is Minoxidil or Rogaine. Minoxidil can help early hair loss by stimulating hair growth and prevent further hair loss, but it cannot regrow an entire head of hair. Minoxidil is available as a topical solution, foam or aerosol and is used once or twice per day. Many people have successful outcomes with using Minoxidil, but it takes time to see the results. Be patient. This can range from anywhere between 4-12 months and once regrowth is seen, it must be continued everyday to prevent further hair loss. 

Common Minoxidil dosing:

OTC doses for males:    Foam or Aerosol 5%: ½ capful twice per day

                       Solution 2-5%: 1ml twice per day

OTC doses for females:  Foam or aersol 5%: ½ capful once per day

                       Solution 2%: 1ml twice per day

Finasteride:

Minoxidil tends to be more effective when used with another treatment for hair loss. Another option is a prescription medication Finasteride also known as Propecia. This medication is normally used to treat Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH), but at lower doses has proven to treat hair loss, by slowing down hair loss and stimulating new hair growth. Again, be patient, as Finasteride also takes time to show good results, usually 4 months to see any improvement. Finasteride tends to be more effective if you start at the first sign of hair loss and must be continued to retain its results. Finasteride is used only in males and females who do not intend to be pregnant. Finasteride is pregnancy category X and contraindicated in women who are or intend to be pregnant. Before taking this medication, be sure to discuss possible side effects with your doctor.

Common Finasteride dosing: 

Rx doses for males: 1mg tablet once daily

Rx doses for females: 2.5-5mg tablet once daily (plus oral contraceptive)

Compounded Rx solutions can range from 0.05%-0.3%

Common Combination dosing: 

Now some people wonder which is right for me, Finasteride or Minoxidil? Luckily, there are options to combine the medications and use them together. According to recent research, combined treatments are not only safe but may also slightly improve hair loss. 

At Custom Care Compounding, we are able to combine both Minoxidil and Finasteride into the same solution for easy and convenient dosing. Some of the most common compounding dosages for Minoxidil and Finasteride are listed below. 

Minoxidil 3% + Finasteride 0.25% topical solution

Minoxidil 3% + Finasteride 0.1% topical solution

Minoxidil 5% + Finasteride 0.1% topical solution

Minoxidil 10% + Finasteride 0.1% topical solution

*This article is not direct medical advice, please consult with your doctor or dermatologist for accurate diagnosis and treatment options. 

Sarah Lo – Pharm D

References:

American Academy of Dermatology: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss

Clinical Pharmacology: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/lexicomp/lexicomp

HealthLine: https://www.healthline.com/health/hair-loss

Professional Compounding Centers of America (PCCA): https://www.pccarx.com/

National Library of Medicine https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7060023/