Medications That Can Use for Hair Loss Treatment

Hair is an important aspect that adds to our beauty and no matter what stage or age you are at in life, it does affect us mentally. Dealing with hair loss may be stressful and irritating. You can see hair all around your house even when you are merely just sitting or walking around. 

Though, there are plenty of hair care and hair treatment medications on the market now that will help you solve your problem without taking much from you. Seeing a dermatologist or hair loss expert might be costly. Knowing your hair and the problem it’s facing can be identified by yourself and then you can seek treatment accordingly.

Medication for Hair Loss Treatment

Hair loss medications are of two types people choose according to what they prefer more which are Oral tablets and topical formulations. Hair growth treatment can comprise both prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

Minoxidil

The brand name Rogaine is the first thing that comes to people’s minds as it is a very popular hair treatment option. Rogaine’s has minoxidil as its main compound, Minoxidil is an over-the-counter medication that can be taken without the prescription of a doctor.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized minoxidil as a therapy for androgenic alopecia and female pattern hair loss. According to a 2022 study trusted Source, minoxidil at a 5% concentration might increase hair regeneration in individuals with androgenic alopecia.

Rogaine is the top medication yet there are several alternatives available in the market for people for whom rogaine doesn’t help or simply if they want to try a different treatment.

Minoxidil formulations are generally liquids, foams, and shampoos. Minoxidil works wonders to totally dry hair in experiments. Most people use it on dry hair. Results might take at least four months.

Finasteride

Finasteride is a male hair loss and prescription medicine. It’s an oral medication. Propecia 1mg is the brand name of Finasteride. Propecia is known for treating ailments like androgenic alopecia and male pattern hair loss. According to a 2018 study, finasteride can be used to decrease hair fall and encourage new hair growth in males. 

Spironolactone

It is a diuretic medication meant to treat high blood pressure, however, it can also be taken off-label to cure female hair loss. Spironolactone is meant for oral administration. Aldactone is a brand of spironolactone medicine, however, generic equivalents are also available.

Spironolactone is specially made for women and the users of Spironolactone are mostly women as it helps to treat hair loss and also targets certain hormones.

Finpecia

Finpecia 1mg is a treatment for hair loss that may be used orally. It is a medication that treats male pattern baldness. In cases of male pattern baldness, it can stimulate new hair growth and stop further thinning of the existing hair (gradual thinning of hair with receding hairline or thinning on the top of the head).

How do Hair Loss Treatments Function?

Hair loss treatment drugs operate by slowing or boosting hair growth. Topical and oral products function differently. 

Minoxidil. This medicine works in part by reducing the resting period of the hair development cycle and accelerating hair growth. However, the precise method via which minoxidil acts is yet unknown.

Finasteride. This medicine works by inhibiting the action of an enzyme that transforms testosterone into the hormone dihydrotestosterone, which causes male hair loss.

Spironolactone. This medicine works by slowing down androgens, which are male hormones that include testosterone. It promotes hair growth and makes you bounce back to the person where you had healthy hair.

Dutasteride. This medicine operates similarly to finasteride. It inhibits the enzyme responsible for the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone.

Hair Loss Medication Side Effects

With the positive outcomes, there might be a few negative side effects too which can be manageable. 

Common side effects of Minoxidil-

• body hair darkening
• body hair growth
• scalp irritation and dermatitis
• drive with low sex

• Having difficulty obtaining an erection and ejaculating
• expanded breast size

Spironolactone side effects may include-

• dizziness
• lightheadedness
• nausea
• headache

These side effects usually are rare and happen only when the drug is not using you well. Notify your doctor or pharmacist right away if you develop any adverse effects while taking hair loss drugs.