How does Finasteride + Minoxidil + Supplement Blend work?
The ingredient, minoxidil, is used for the treatment of high blood pressure. In low doses, it is also used as an off-label treatment for hair loss. Minoxidil works by boosting blood flow to hair follicles, which extends the hair growth phase and shortens the resting phase where strands are no longer growing.
The ingredient, finasteride, blocks the conversion of testosterone to its active metabolite, DHT. By blocking this conversion, finasteride decreases the level of DHT and the resulting hair loss it causes.
Age range: Through the Hims platform Finasteride + Minoxidil + Supplement Blend is only available to patients ages 18 and above.
How should I take Finasteride + Minoxidil + Supplement Blend?
Finasteride + Minoxidil + Supplement Blend tablets are chewable, and should be taken by mouth once daily or as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
It can be taken with or without food.
If you forget to take a dose, do not take an extra tablet. Just take the next tablet as usual.
If you experience lightheadedness as a side effect, take it at night.
Oral minoxidil medications can cause a small decline in blood pressure that may cause dizziness, lightheadedness or even fainting in people sensitive to blood pressure changes. Stay well-hydrated and in a safe, controlled environment the first time you trial their medication.
What should I expect during treatment with Finasteride + Minoxidil + Supplement Blend?
You may experience hair shedding in the first 2-8 weeks as beneficial hair cycling is triggered. This is normal and means that the medication is working.
The full benefits of finasteride and minoxidil are seen within 6-12 months, but results may be seen as early as 3 months.
Successful treatment is defined by both hair growth and hair loss stabilization (meaning hair loss isn’t getting worse), since male pattern hair loss naturally worsens over time.
What happens when I stop using Finasteride + Minoxidil + Supplement Blend?
Hair loss treatments must be taken consistently to maintain progress.
If you stop treatment, your hair density will revert to what it would have been had your hair loss naturally progressed.
Are there any dietary restrictions that I should follow while taking Finasteride + Minoxidil + Supplement Blend?
We recommend that you do not take additional biotin, which is often found in hair and nail supplements. This tablet was formulated with dermatologists who determined that biotin at a dosage of 2.5 mg is appropriate when combined with oral minoxidil. It is recommended that you do not take additional biotin supplements. High doses of biotin (5 mg or higher) may interfere with certain lab tests, including specific tests to aid in heart attack diagnosis.
Who should not take Finasteride + Minoxidil + Supplement Blend :
Anyone younger than 18 years of age
Anyone with pheochromocytoma
Anyone with prostate cancer diagnosed within the last 5 years
Anyone that has recently received chemotherapy
Anyone with prostate problems
Anyone currently using a product containing finasteride (Propecia®, Proscar®), either topically or orally for hair loss or for treatment of an enlarged prostate . Finasteride and Finasteride + Minoxidil + Supplement Blend Chewable cannot be used at the same time.
Anyone currently taking other medications in the same class as finasteride (5-alpha reductase inhibitors: dutasteride, Avodart®, Jalyn®)
Anyone currently using a product containing minoxidil (Rogaine®, GainExtra®, Apo-Gain®, Loniten®), either topically or orally for hair loss or for treatment of high blood pressure. Minoxidil and Finasteride + Minoxidil + Supplement Blend Chewable cannot be used at the same time.
Anyone allergic to finasteride, minoxidil, biotin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin C, or any of the inactive ingredients in Finasteride + Minoxidil + Supplement Blend Chewable. Inactive ingredients include: butylated hydroxyanisole, citric acid, dextrose, glycerine, gum acacia, magnesium stearate, maltodextrin, microcrystalline cellulose, silica, sucralose, natural flavor, potassium sorbate and FD&C Yellow #6.
Anyone with a history of certain types of heart disease, not including abnormal heart beat such as atrial fibrillation (Afib), SVT or long QT syndrome. If you have any heart disease, besides those listed, you must consult with your primary care provider or cardiologist prior to beginning treatment.
Anyone with certain types of heart, kidney or liver disease, excluding fatty liver. Be sure to completely share details of any heart, kidney or liver conditions with your provider so they can determine if treatment is safe for you.
Anyone with a history of a mini-stroke (TIA) or stroke (CVA). Be sure to completely share details of any previous mini-stroke or stroke with your provider so they can determine if treatment is safe for you.
Anyone with uncontrolled high blood pressure
Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding (A pregnant or breastfeeding partner is not a contraindication for treatment)
Females who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not come in contact with Finasteride + Minoxidil + Supplement Blend Chewable tablets.
If a pregnant woman comes in contact with Finasteride + Minoxidil + Supplement Blend Chewable tablets, wash the contact area right away with soap and water. If a woman who is pregnant comes into contact with finasteride, a healthcare provider should be consulted. If a woman who is pregnant with a male baby swallows or comes in contact with finasteride, the baby may be born with sex organs that are not normal
We have evaluated your health history and the specific health information you provided us. However, if anything changes and you develop or discover that one of these conditions applies to you, please stop taking this medicine and message us immediately.
Your compounded medication contains vitamins and/or supplements. Please use caution when taking additional over-the-counter vitamins or supplements and ensure that your total daily intake does not exceed recommended limits.
What are common side effects of this medication?
Hypertrichosis, or increased hair growth on the face or body
Lightheadedness
Palpitations or tachycardia
Headaches
Leg swelling or fluid retention (edema)
Swelling around the eyes
Insomnia
Nausea and vomiting
Rash
Breast tenderness or enlargement (reported in less than 1% of patients; typically resolves after the medication is stopped)
Sexual dysfunction
In clinical trials, 1.2%-1.8% of patients taking Finasteride experienced sexual dysfunction side effects including decreased libido, erectile dysfunction or a decrease in the volume of ejaculate vs. 1% of those taking placebo.:
Several studies have documented the majority of these side effects are reversible. However, 1.4% of the patients who experience side effects may continue to have symptoms following discontinuation of finasteride.
The following have been reported as less common side effects with finasteride use:
Allergic reactions including: rash, itching, hives and swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, and face
Testicular pain
Male infertility and/or poor quality of semen
In rare cases, male breast cancer
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or that do not go away.
Minoxidil may cause changes to your EKG. Tell your doctor prior to an EKG that you are taking oral minoxidil.
Stop taking Finasteride + Minoxidil + Supplement Blend right away and seek emergency medical care if any of the following conditions or symptoms develop during treatment:
Heart problems such as worsening chest pain, heart failure, irregular heartbeats, or heart attack.
Very low or very high blood pressure
Stroke
Liver problems
Kidney problems or require dialysis
Shortness of breath
Sudden changes to your vision or hearing
Very severe heartburn
These are not all of the possible side effects of Finasteride + Minoxidil + Supplement Blend. For more information, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist for medical advice about side effects.
You can message a provider through your Hims account if you have any questions about your treatment, including any side effects you may be experiencing. You may report side effects to the FDA by calling 1-800-FDA-1088 or visiting http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch.
Does Finasteride cause depression?
A literature review shows there may be evidence of increased depressive symptoms in individuals younger than age 45 while taking finasteride for hair loss. Patients with new or worsening depression should stop this medication and follow up with their health care provider or a mental health therapist. SOURCE: MEDPAGETODAY.ORG
Does Finasteride cause prostate cancer or prostate enlargement (BPH)?
There have been reports of a slight increased risk (1.8% with 5mg finasteride dosage versus 1.0% placebo) of high grade prostate cancer for men over age 55 years old. These reports are from men taking a higher dosage of finasteride (5mg) than the dosage we prescribe for hair loss (1mg). There have been conflicting studies on the increased risk in the number of high grade prostate cancers; however, several recent studies have shown no increase in the number of deaths (with a recent study showing fewer deaths) in patients who use finasteride at the 1mg dosage.
Does Finasteride change blood Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) levels?
Finasteride can affect a blood test called PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) for the screening of prostate cancer. If you have a PSA test done, you should tell your healthcare provider that you are taking finasteride because finasteride decreases PSA.
Follow Up Plan
Your prescription expires after one year. When you run out of refills, you will need to return for a follow-up visit with a healthcare provider to make sure this medication is still appropriate for you.
Use & storage
Store your Finasteride + Minoxidil + Supplement Blend tablets at room temperature (between 68 and 77 degrees F) in the packaging provided by the pharmacy until you need it. Keep out of reach of children.
Medication disposal
If you no longer need your medication, the best way to dispose of most types of old, unused, unwanted, or expired medicines (both prescription and over the counter) is to drop off the medicine at a drug take back site, location, or program immediately. You can use the DEA DIVERSION CONTROL DIVISION LOOKUP to find your nearest drug disposal site.
If no drug take back sites, locations, or programs are available in your area, and there are no specific disposal instructions (such as flushing) in the medication guide or package insert, you can visit FDA- Disposal of Unused Medicines for more information or follow these simple steps to dispose of most medicines in your trash at home:
Mix medicines (liquid or pills; do not crush tablets or capsules) with an unappealing substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds;
Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag;
Throw away the container in your trash at home; and
Delete all personal information on the prescription label of empty medicine bottles or medicine packaging, then trash or recycle the empty bottle or packaging.
Accurate information
Your provider evaluated the specific health information you provided and made recommendations based on it. If you incorrectly or forgot to provide any information, your provider may misdiagnose or fail to diagnose conditions you may have — which could affect their treatment recommendation. If you need to clarify or update any information about your health, please message a provider through the Hims platform.
Treatment failure
This treatment is not 100% effective. It may not work or may partially resolve the condition you are seeking treatment for. If you do not see any signs of improvement or if you are experiencing new or worsening symptoms, message a provider through the Hims platform anytime or contact your regular healthcare provider. If it is an emergency, call 911 or seek immediate help in-person.
Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
There is also a risk that your provider will misdiagnose or fail to diagnose conditions that you may have, which could affect the treatment recommendation. The healthcare providers providing treatment through the Hims platform use evidence-based guidelines as well as clinical decision-making to minimize these risks.
Accepting or declining the recommendation
Your provider is recommending this treatment for you because the potential benefits outweigh the risks in their estimation. You’re encouraged to evaluate this information, including any input from your in-person healthcare team and any relevant sources to decide if this treatment plan is right for you. You are free to decline recommendations you received from the provider through the Hims platform.
Share with Your In-Person Healthcare Team
You can request access to your records anytime. We strongly recommend that you update your in-person healthcare team about any new medicines that you are taking or other changes in your health.
You can also ask questions anytime by messaging a provider through the Hims platform. We are happy to help you share any information about your health with your in-person healthcare team.
FAQ:
Is it normal to see an increase in hair shedding when starting new hair loss treatment?
Shedding is a fairly common side effect when starting a new hair loss medication. It can occur with any treatment but is most common with minoxidil. While it can be a cause for alarm, it is part of the process and means the medication is working. Typically we don’t recommend adjusting therapy except for intolerable shedding or shedding that lasts longer than 2 months. If you have continued shedding after the first 2 months of treatment, please let us know so we can connect you with your provider who can go over the next steps.
You can find more information about this here:
https://www.hims.com/blog/how-long-before-minoxidil-starts-working#minoxidil-and-hair-shedding
https://www.hims.com/blog/finasteride-is-working-now-how-to-keep-that-new-hair
When can I see results from hair loss treatment?
All hair loss medications take about 4-6 months to see results. If you are not seeing results after 6 months of treatment, or if you are experiencing any side effects, then please reach out for re-evaluation. Since hair growth is gradual it may be helpful to take a progress photo each month. Try to take photos in the same lighting at the same angle. If you always get the same haircut then right afterwards is a great time to take a progress photo so your hair is the same length.
You can find more information about this here:
https://www.hims.com/blog/finasteride-results-timeline
https://www.hims.com/blog/how-long-before-minoxidil-starts-working
Can I use a dermaroller with my topical treatment?
You may opt to use a dermaroller to increase the efficacy of your topical formulation. Follow the instructions specific to the device. Make sure to apply the dermaroller with light pressure to minimize bleeding on your scalp for 2-5 minutes at night, preferably after showering, and before you apply your topical formula. It is recommended to wait a few weeks after starting your topical formula to let your skin adjust before trying a dermaroller. While dermarollers come in different needle sizes, starting with 0.25mm is the best to start with. Disinfecting the dermaroller after use by soaking in 70% isopropyl alcohol is very important to prevent infection. Most studies involve using a dermaroller one night a week. Be sure to avoid using a dermaroller if your skin feels irritated or swollen.
You can find more information about this here: https://www.hims.com/blog/dermaroller-and-minoxidil
Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking hair loss medications?
It’s safe to drink alcohol in moderation while taking your hair loss medications, however heavy alcohol consumption can affect your nutrient absorption to the point where you may develop nutritional deficiencies that can cause hair loss. Furthermore, drinking alcohol while taking oral minoxidil can potentially cause a decrease in blood pressure causing light-headedness, dizziness, or fainting.
You can find more information about this here:
https://www.hims.com/blog/alcohol-and-hair-loss
https://www.hims.com/blog/finasteride-and-alcohol
https://www.hims.com/blog/minoxidil-interactions
Does wearing my hair in tight hairstyles cause hair loss?
If you wear your hair in tight hairstyles this puts a lot of strain on your hair follicles. With continued use, it will eventually lead to scarring and permanent loss of hair, which we call traction alopecia. In order to prevent further hair loss, it’s important to avoid wearing tight hairstyles and give your hair breaks between artificial hair use or braiding. If it hurts while your hair is being styled, you should ask the stylist to stop and redo it since pain signals damage at the hair root. Combining tight hairstyles with chemically treated hair increases the risk of traction alopecia and should be avoided. Hair loss treatments will help the hair that you have to grow thicker, but it will not regrow hair where scarring has already occurred.
Does wearing my hair in tight hairstyles cause hair loss?
If you wear your hair in tight hairstyles this puts a lot of strain on your hair follicles. With continued use, it will eventually lead to scarring and permanent loss of hair, which we call traction alopecia. In order to prevent further hair loss, it’s important to avoid wearing tight hairstyles and give your hair breaks between artificial hair use or braiding. If it hurts while your hair is being styled, you should ask the stylist to stop and redo it since pain signals damage at the hair root. Combining tight hairstyles with chemically treated hair increases the risk of traction alopecia and should be avoided. Hair loss treatments will help the hair that you have to grow thicker, but it will not regrow hair where scarring has already occurred.
If I have a history of prostate cancer can I use oral or topical finasteride to treat hair loss?
Anyone that has prostate cancer diagnosed in the last 5 years should not take oral finasteride. If your prostate cancer was diagnosed more than 5 years ago and your provider prescribed topical finasteride, inform your oncologist you are on this medication before starting it. Taking finasteride can complicate prostate cancer management and this is more of a concern when taken in pill form.
Can I take oral finasteride if I have a history of depression?
If you have a history of depression, it’s especially important to watch for signs of new or worsening depression or anxiety while on this medication. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop finasteride use and follow up with your established health care provider or a mental health therapist, and consider Topical Finasteride & Minoxidil Spray as an alternative treatment for hair loss.
Can I take oral finasteride if I have a history of sexual dysfunction?
If you have a history of sexual dysfunction, it’s especially important to watch for signs of decreased libido, erectile dysfunction or a decrease in the volume of ejaculate while on this medication. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop finasteride use and follow up with your established health care provider and consider Topical Finasteride & Minoxidil Spray as an alternative treatment for hair loss.
This information is intended to support, not replace, discussions with your healthcare provider. All decisions regarding your care should be made with a healthcare provider, considering your individual health needs and circumstances. This medication is only available to residents of the United States.
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