WASHINGTON — Federal and state attorneys general on Thursday urged the public not to use the Food and Drug Administration to approve generic versions of Propecia, the popular finasteride product that has been linked to hair loss and other side effects.
The move comes a month after a former Propecia sales representative revealed that she had developed a condition that has been linked to its use.
Her doctor wrote a letter to the FDA warning that it should not approve generic versions of the drug, which is the same drug used to treat prostate enlargement and hair loss in men.
Propecia is currently sold under the brand name Proscar. The company was founded in 1992 in India and is among the top three drug makers in the world.
The FDA has approved Propecia’s use only as a treatment for hair loss in women and men and has been linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer and hair loss in men.
In a letter to the agency, the National Institute of Health, the National Institutes of Health and the FDA have asked for “additional input from health care professionals and regulatory authorities,” but “no definitive answer to these concerns is currently available.”
The letter, sent Thursday, came months after the drug maker disclosed a study it was testing. The FDA found that taking finasteride for a period of 12 months, which is when Propecia was first approved in the United States, had an increased risk of prostate cancer and hair loss. The drug was also linked to an increased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
The FDA also issued a warning about the potential for a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease in some people. It also warned that finasteride can be linked to a rare form of dementia, but there was no evidence of an association between the drug and dementia.
“We are pleased to be working with the FDA to clarify this issue, and to provide guidance to patients, families and caregivers, to ensure that these findings are made available to the public,” said Janet Woodcock, the deputy director of the FDA’s health and safety division.
The FDA will take up the question of whether the drug should be made available to consumers, as it has been the case with Propecia.
The agency also is working with a group of states to explore whether the agency may permit generic versions of Propecia to be sold to patients.
The FDA is considering whether to approve generic versions of Propecia, as it has the authority to make that decision.
But experts say the FDA’s role in approving generic versions of finasteride is limited, and it may be difficult to determine whether a particular drug company is responsible for a generic version. And they say the FDA is likely to be the first to address whether the agency can approve generic versions of Propecia.
“As a physician, I am encouraged by the FDA’s commitment to approving medications, and I would like to see the FDA’s ability to take such decisions seriously,” said Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen’s health research group. “We’re in this together.”
The company, which sells Propecia, is also working with a group of states and is working with health care professionals with expertise in treating hair loss and prostate issues to determine if generic versions of the drug are appropriate. The drugs can be sold only by a physician.
The drugmaker says the FDA has no evidence that the drug is causing hair loss or that the drug can increase hair loss.
The drugmaker has been reviewing studies on the drug’s potential link to hair loss, including one of five studies that are being undertaken by the National Library of Medicine.
Propecia is a drug that blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the scalp, which causes hair loss.
Propecia is a type of medication that can be used to treat male pattern baldness. It works by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to DHT in the scalp, which causes hair loss. It is available in the form of pills and injections.
Propecia is available in Canada as a tablet, an injection, and a topical solution.
It is important to note that Propecia is not suitable for everyone. Some people may experience hair loss or thinning after starting treatment with Propecia. It is also important to note that Propecia can interact with other medications, including some antidepressants. Therefore, it is important to consult with a doctor before starting Propecia or any other medication.
The benefits of Propecia include:
In addition to the benefits of Propecia, there are some other benefits it can have over other hair loss treatments.
The most significant advantage of Propecia is that it can be used by individuals who do not respond to other hair loss treatments. Some of the more common side effects include:
There is also a risk of sexual side effects with Propecia. Some individuals may experience sexual side effects when taking this medication.
Propecia contains a medicine called finasteride. This belongs to a group of medicinescalled Type II ‘5-alpha reductase inhibitors’.
Propecia is used for the treatment of male pattern hair loss (also known as androgeneticalopecia). Propecia increases hair growth on the scalp and prevents further hair loss inmen. Men with mild to moderate, but not complete hair loss, can benefit from usingPropecia.
How does the hair on your head grow?On average your hair grows about 1 centimetre (half an inch) each month. Hair growsfrom hair follicles, which are located under your skin.
A single scalp hair grows continuously for 2-4 years (growth phase) and then stopsgrowing for 2-4 months (rest phase). After this the hair falls out. In its place a newhealthy hair begins to grow, and the cycle is repeated. The hairs on your scalp arealways in different stages of this cycle so it is normal to lose scalp hair every day.
What is male pattern hair loss?
Male pattern hair loss is a common condition in which men experience thinning of thehair on the scalp, often resulting in a receding hairline and/or balding on the top of thehead. This condition is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic factors and aparticular hormone, DHT (dihydrotestosterone).
DHT causes a decrease in the growth phase and thinning of the hair (see picture). Thisleads to male pattern hair loss. These changes can start to occur in some men in their20s and become more common with age. Once hair loss has occurred over a longperiod of time, the hair may be permanently lost.
Images are for illustration purposes only and may be substituted by an equivalent alternative.
Hair grows continuously for 2-4 years (growth phase).2 months (rest phase). 4 months (growth phase). 4 months (rest phase).How long does the hair on my head stay in my hair follicle?
The hair on your head then stops growing (growth phase).2 months (rest phase).
There are many different symptoms of male pattern hair loss, and there is a specific sign that is very common and can be distressing: — thinning of the hair (usual for men): — redness, itching, swelling, blistering and peeling of the skin, often with a peeling appearance — hair loss near the time of suicide or in the presence of depression or anxiety — hair loss that doesn’t f exist for a long time — hair that doesn’t exist for a long time — regrowth of hair (androgeneticalopecia): — thinning of the hair (rare in men and in women): — balding on top of the head (rare in men and in women): — thinning of the hair on the scalp (rare in men and in women): — balding on top of the head (rare in men): — thinning of the hair (rare in men and in women): — hair loss near the time of suicide or in the presence of depression or anxiety (see picture).
Propecia is a medication used to treat hair loss in men. It works by preventing the conversion of testosterone to estrogen which helps in slowing down the hair loss and promoting hair growth. It is available in tablet form and should be taken orally with a glass of water.
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Common side effects of Propecia Propecia tablets Propecia can cause breast tenderness, headache, and feeling queasy or sleepy. Some may also include muscle pain, joint pain or swelling, feeling shaky, feeling dizzy, feeling tired, lack of appetite, weight loss, blurred vision, rash, itching, hair loss, unusual changes in hair growth, and swelling or tenderness.
If any of these serious side effects or any other side effects last or get in the eyes, mouth, or breasts, call your doctor immediately as it may be serious side effects may occur while using Propecia. Propecia may cause breast tenderness and other side effects which should be reported to your doctor as soon as possible. If side effects get in the eyes, mouth, or breasts, contact your doctor as they are sensitive to medication.
Read the product information leaflet before you start taking Propecia Propecia tablets can be used for hair loss treatment and the treatment of choice for baldPlease Note:This notification is for external use only.
References:Medication information leafletPropecia is a prescription medication used to treat hair loss in men. It works by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and increasing the hair growth in and the thickness of hair on the scalp. DHT is a hormone that is responsible for causing hair loss in men. By reducing DHT levels, Propecia helps to slow down and slows down hair loss.
»Most common questions about Propecia
Propecia is a prescription medication used to treat male pattern baldness and an enlarged prostate. It contains finasteride as its active ingredient, which works by blocking the production of a hormone in the body that causes hair loss. This medication is known as a hair loss medication.
Finasteride is a prescription drug and requires a prescription before it can be used to treat male pattern baldness. Your doctor will prescribe this medication when you need it the most. Propecia is available in tablet form and can be purchased online from a number of pharmacies.
Propecia works by blocking the production of a hormone in the body that causes hair loss, by blocking the action of an enzyme called type II 5-alpha reductase. This enzyme converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Propecia is used to treat hair loss in men. It may also be used for purposes other than those listed. A doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using this medication when trying to treat hair loss.
All products should be read by your doctor and follow the directions for use.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a copy of the
for example, may wish to take this medication only with a full stomach.
Propecia should not be used by women or children.
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