AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on most drugs. Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease.
Organizations Institute of Biology, London.
Publications Author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" 5th Edition published in November 2007 by Pearson Education, Australia.
Question Is it an acceptable practice or should it be an acceptable practice for a male
patient using a high dose of Androgel (10mg/day) to also use finesteride (or
once upon a time Propecia) to arrest hair loss or as a preventitive measure if
hair loss is not yet present? Hair loss seems to be the dominat side effect of
any testosterone replacement therapy. Please also address the question as if
the patient had either low normal or normal testosterone levels before
replacement therapy began. I am hearing of many male patients who are
using Androgel without having abnormal lab values. Many are using
Androgel to increase muscle mass, decrease body fat, increase libido,
increase firmness of erection, elevate mood, etc...
Thank you for your help.
Answer Dear Jason
There is no pharmacological reason why finesteride should not be used with Androgel even though the efficiency of the latter may be reduced, not in itself but by decreased natural testosterone production. Testosterone may increase muscle mass and decrease body fat especially with exercise. It may also elevate mood but usually only in testosterone deficient persons. It will not increase erection firmness and may or may not increase libido, occasionally for some funny reason libido can be decreased. It is of more benefit in people with low testosterone levels.
