From Topical to Oral Minoxidil, From Finasteride to Dutasteride

[Jim1973]

After several years of decent results (maintaining hair) with topical Min and oral Fin, I'm no longer responding and now see my hair starting to thin and miniaturize. Also, the topical Min is making my head extremely itchy and is becoming intolerable. I was thinking about making 2 changes at once and going to oral Min and replacing Fin with Dutasteride. Because of the various side effects, I'm wondering of making both changes at once would be okay or if I should make one change before the other so looking for recommendations on the timing of these changes. Also, neither my doctor nor my dermatologist will prescribe oral Min or Dutasteride for hair loss. I respect their decisions of not wanting to prescribe off label but its frustrating since I have no history of family heart disease. Without a prescription, the only place I see that offers Dut is STRUT (oral and topical) but I don't think they offer oral Min. I'm also not sure how reputable Strut is or how well compounded their products are. Looking for some advice on how/where to obtain either of these if possible. Thx.

 

[Bigmac]

You could have a consultation with a hair transplant doctor who will then prescribe these meds. Dr Alexander is in your area, a quick phone call will establish if they prescribe these. A HT doctor is who I would be asking these questions.

 

[Jim1973]

You could have a consultation with a hair transplant doctor who will then prescribe these meds. Dr Alexander is in your area, a quick phone call will establish if they prescribe these. A HT doctor is who I would be asking these questions.

I hadn't thought about that and wasn't sure if they could/would actually prescribe to a non-HT patient. I'll give that a shot, thanks.

 

[Jim1973]

Update: Update: Roughly 3 weeks ago, I began adding in Dutasteride (5mg) every 3-4 days (roughly twice/week) while continuing with oral Finasteride (1mg) on the other days. I've also began taking 1.25 oral Minoxidil. I wasn't sure if that dose would be strong enough for me and how long it would take to work so I'm still applying topical Minoxidil every night. For what its worth, I also started taking probiotics (to improve my gut health) and iron supplements (my blood test showed that I was very low). I am still losing hair more than usual and can see hair fall in the sink daily, but can't tell if shedding or simply losing hair (this started over 6 months ago and is progressively getting worse). I think I may increase my oral Minoxidil to 2.5mg as the hair fall is starting to stress me out. I know that shedding can be associated with some of these treatments but since it began over 6 months ago before any new treatments, I'm concerned that it isn't the good shed where replacement hair will be coming soon. Appreciate any feedback, good or bad. Thanks.

 

[Bigmac]

Did you have an in person consultation or just order it online? Losing hair on meds is possible, as is more shedding when switching/changing your regimen. Do you have any pictures to show the hair loss progressing?

 

[Jim1973]

Did you have an in person consultation or just order it online? Losing hair on meds is possible, as is more shedding when switching/changing your regimen. Do you have any pictures to show the hair loss progressing?

I met with my dermatologist who prescribed 2% ketoconazole shampoo, oral minoxidil (he wants me to start at 1.25mg) and Dutasteride every 3 days. I was already losing hair months before I started this new regime so I was hoping these changes would begin to slow down the hair loss soon. I haven't taken any pictures recently.

 

[Bigmac]

Hopefully, this new regimen begins to work for you.

 

[Jonnyh92]

I met with my dermatologist who prescribed 2% ketoconazole shampoo, oral minoxidil (he wants me to start at 1.25mg) and Dutasteride every 3 days. I was already losing hair months before I started this new regime so I was hoping these changes would begin to slow down the hair loss soon. I haven't taken any pictures recently.

how are you getting on now mate

 

[Jim1973]

how are you getting on now mate

Not much has changed (better or worse). I did up my dosage of oral minoxidil to 2.5mg. No sides or benefits noticed. Still following the same regimine that I mentioned earlier. I'm glad I don't have any sides to FIN, DUT or oral MIN but I'm also not seeing any results yet.

 

[Jonnyh92]

Not much has changed (better or worse). I did up my dosage of oral minoxidil to 2.5mg. No sides or benefits noticed. Still following the same regimine that I mentioned earlier. I'm glad I don't have any sides to FIN, DUT or oral MIN but I'm also not seeing any results yet.

how are things now mate? i really need to introduce something else now

 

[Jim1973]

@Jonnyh92 I am still taking .5mg Dut twice/week and 1mg Fin the other 5 days/week. I still take 2.5mg oral Min daily. Unfortunately not seeing any progress, still not stabilized and still hair shedding every day and scalp becoming thinner. Last week I decided to also apply topical Min again in the evenings (I take my oral Min in the mornings). I don't have any sides but still no gains.