Are the Results of Finasteride Permanent?


The results of finasteride are not permanent and only last for as long as you take the drug. This means that if you decide to stop taking the drug you will lose any hair that has re- grown and continue balding.

How Long does it Take for Finasteride to Work?

The results of finasteride will not be visible immediately after you begin taking the medication. Most people begin to notice that they have stopped losing hair after around three months of taking the recommended daily dose of finasteride. After this, they may then notice that they have started to grow hair in the area that was bald.

Does Finasteride Lose its Effectiveness?

It is believed that if you take finasteride over a long period of time it will begin to lose its effectiveness. The reasons for this are unknown but many doctors find that after a period of five years finasteride will gradually begin to lose its efficacy. It is believed that when you have taken finasteride for a period of ten years it will stop working and you will begin balding again.

What Happens if You Stop Taking Finasteride?

If you decide to stop taking finasteride, the results of the treatment will reverse themselves. Once you stop taking the drug your levels of dehydrotestosterone will increase, which will cause the hair follicles to shrink again. This means that any hair that you have re- grown will fall out again and that the balding process will continue at the same rate as it was before you started the treatment.

When Should You Stop Taking Finasteride?

Although you may not want to lose the results of your finasteride treatment, there are certain circumstances in which you must stop taking the drug. If you begin to notice any side effects when you start, taking finasteride you should speak to a doctor. Side effects to watch out for include:

  • Impotence
  • Increased breast size
  • Depression
  • Being unable to think or concentrate
  • Lumps, swelling or discharge from the breasts
  • Signs of an allergic reaction.

Your doctor may tell you to stop taking finasteride if they believe that you are allergic to the treatment or that you are not eligible to take it. You should always follow your doctor's advice, as any medication can be dangerous.

What Are the Signs of an Allergic Reaction to Finasteride?

All drugs can cause adverse reactions if you are allergic to any of the ingredients and finasteride is not exception to this rule. Drug allergies can be fatal so you should be aware of the symptoms of an allergic reaction and be prepared to react if you have one.

Most people who experience an allergic reaction to finasteride experience a mild reaction, which causes a small skin rash and hives. This can be treated using an emollient and you should stop taking finasteride and seek medical advice as to whether you should continue to take the drug.

There are also more serious symptoms of an allergic reaction to finasteride. These include swelling of the lips, throat, and face, struggling to breath, stomach pains, confusion and dizziness, fainting, nausea, increased heart rate, and heart palpitations. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek immediate medical aid as you could go into anaphylactic shock. Anaphylactic shock is a serious condition that can lead to death.

If you are found to be allergic to finasteride, it is very likely that you will be told to stop taking the drug. You will not be prescribed finasteride by a reputable or experienced doctor if they are aware that you have had a previous reaction to it.

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