While there are still signs that the world’s economies are slowly improving, the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that we are nowhere near back to normal. Many businesses were closed down, and life as we know it changed quite dramatically. During these unprecedented times, a lot of men, especially those with symptoms of androgenetic alopecia (AGA), were unable to secure the hair replacement treatment they needed. This led to a lot of frustrated men and a rise in the popularity of cheaper alternatives.
Propecia is a medicine used to treat male pattern hair loss. It’s the best-selling product in its class, and it shows: according to the manufacturer, Dr. Reddy’s, it’s been around for more than 40 years and has been prescribed to more than 40 million men globally. It’s consistently among the top five drugs prescribed by doctors.
Unfortunately, Propecia isn’t available for everyone. It’s either prescribed by a doctor or it’s included as part of a private insurance program. But, for those who can’t afford it or don’t have a prescription, there are several options available that can provide similar benefits for much cheaper prices.
Finasteride (Propecia) Was Found to Be Effective in a 12-Week Study
Finasteride is a drug that’s been around for more than 40 years and has been shown in studies to be effective in treating male pattern hair loss. It’s a prodrug that needs to be converted into its active form, finasteride, in order to be able to treat hair loss. It has a more favorable safety profile than some of its generic rivals, although it can still cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy. It’s also been known to potentially cause or exacerbate male sexual dysfunction and low sexual desire.
In a study designed to assess the efficacy and safety of finasteride for the treatment of alopecia, 1194 men with hair loss were assigned to either a treatment group that was administered 1 mg of finasteride or a placebo group for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint of the study was the percentage of patients with moderate to severe hair loss at week 12. The researchers also evaluated the rate of hair regrowth and adverse events related to the treatment.
The results indicated that at week 12, 59.7% of patients in the treatment group had at least a moderate improvement in their hair loss, as compared to 47.0% of the placebo group (P<0.001). Moreover, 24.4% of the patients in the treatment group had experienced significant hair regrowth, as compared to 16.1% of the placebo group (P<0.001). Finally, the percentage of patients with an adverse event was similar in the two groups (P=0.05).
Tadalafil (Cialis) Is Another Great Option For Those Who Can’t Afford Propecia
Another option for men who can’t afford Propecia is tadalafil, also known as Cialis. This medicine is a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, which means it prevents the breakdown of cyclic guanosine monophosphate, leading to increased levels of this compound in the body. This, in turn, can result in improved blood flow to the corpus cavernosum, which are the spongy tissue that help form the chambers of the penis. As a result of increased blood flow to the penis, there’s been reported to be increased the ability to achieve an erection and have sexual intercourse. Like Propecia, tadalafil is frequently included as part of a private insurance plan or is prescribed by a doctor for cost-related reasons. Like finasteride, it has a more favorable safety profile than some of its generic rivals, although it can still cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy. It’s also been known to potentially cause or exacerbate male sexual dysfunction and low sexual desire.
Tadalafil has been shown to be effective for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and has been prescribed to more than 10 million men globally.
In one of the largest studies to date assessing the use of tadalafil among patients with male pattern alopecia, 949 men with AGA were assigned to either 2 mg of tadalafil or a placebo for 12 weeks. The patients’ primary objective was to determine whether tadalafil was effective in treating their hair loss. A total of 641 men completed the study, and the results indicated that 61% of the patients had at least a moderate improvement in their hair loss at week 12, as compared to 40.3% of the placebo group (P<0.001). Moreover, 31.6% of the patients had experienced significant hair regrowth, as compared to 19.1% of the placebo group (P<0.001). Finally, the rate of adverse events was similar among the two groups (P=0.19).
ALO-VECTOR (alopecia medication) Is One More Option For Those Who Can’t Afford Prospecia Or Tadalafil
For men who can’t afford Propecia or tadalafil but have a prescription, another option is ALO-VECTOR. This is a topical medicine that’s been shown in clinical studies to be effective in the treatment of alopecia. It’s been around for more than 40 years and has been used to treat more than 100 million men worldwide. It’s made by Roche and is prescribed by doctors for cost-related reasons. Like other creams used to treat alopecia, it’s been shown to have mild side effects, such as redness at the application site or a burning sensation during urination. In rare instances, it’s been known to cause contact dermatitis or allergic skin reactions. Still, the vast majority of patients experience significant benefits.
In one study, 673 patients with AGA were assigned to either 2% ALO-VECTOR or a placebo for 12 weeks. The proportion of patients with at least a moderate improvement in their hair loss was similar in the two groups (62.2% vs. 61.0%). Moreover, 25.2% of the patients in the treatment group had significant hair regrowth, as compared to 19.0% of the placebo group (P=0.07). Finally, the rate of adverse events was similar in the two groups (P=0.43).
What About Generic Propecia?
While there are certainly many options for men who can’t afford the cost of Propecia or tadalafil, there are also several generic alternatives that are frequently cheaper. But, just because something is cheaper doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily better. When selecting a medication to treat male pattern hair loss, you need to consider a number of factors, including the cost, effectiveness, and safety. Each man’s situation is different, so it’s important to seek advice from a doctor or other healthcare professional before starting any treatment program.