Update on Propecia (Finasteride 1 mg)

Dr. Cotterill has been an investigator for Merck Corporation for the last ten years. Dr. Cotterill was involved in a press conference held in Toronto in June of 1998 to announce the passing of Propecia as a prescribed medication for Male Pattern Baldness in Canada.

The following is a synopsis of the findings of a two year drug study:

Propecia (Finasteride 1 mg) has just been given approval by the Health Protection Branch of Canada for release as a prescribed drug. This medication is marketed by Merck Frosst and is now available in pharmacies at approximately $1.50 per tablet. The two year data from clinical trials involving 1,879 men with pattern hair loss involved 4 Canadian centers of which Dr. Paul Cotterill and Dr. Walter Unger were the Ontario Investigators. The clinical trials were done in men aged 18-41 with mild to moderate hair loss on the top of the scalp. Results showed that there was no more hair loss in 83% of men after 2 years. Additionally, there was hair regrowth in 66% of men. This figure was broken down into 30% of men having mild regrowth, 31% having moderate, and 5% dense regrowth. This medication is very well tolerated, less than 2% of men experienced side effects. 1.8% experienced a mild decrease sex drive. If you do experience side effects that troubles you, once you stop the medication any benefit that you may have on the scalp is lost within twelve months and you go back to the way you would have been had you never used the medication.

There is no cross-reaction with this medication with any other medication. Additionally, you may take the medication before, after, and during hair transplants.

The 5 and 6 year clinical trial data has recently been presented and is continuing to show favorable results.

If you would like any further information, please contact Dr. Cotterill.