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• Potent Drug Cocktail for Male Pattern Baldness 

• HairSite Editorial

• 10/2/00

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• Discussion Group - Drug Cocktail

Potent Drug Cocktail For Male Pattern Baldness
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This is definitely not for the amateurs. Please check with your doctor first.

The following is based on our communication with about 8 individuals who have been on this formula. It may or may not work for you and it is important that you speak to your doctor before going on this regimen. 

This drug cocktail has been used by a small group of individuals for quite some time now. Until recently, we have reasons to believe that it may really work on certain individuals.

First of all, this combo treatment is only for men. We are unsure if women can yield the same results. The results we have gathered are fairly consistent. In all cases, hair loss stopped completely. As far as hair growth is concerned, it varies from 20% - 40% regrowth.

The drug cocktail consists of Propecia / Proscar (oral finasteride), Loniten (oral minoxidil) and Aldactone / Spirotone (oral spironolactone).

It appears that theoretically these three medications work synergistically together. Finasteride is a well known 5AR inhibitor which slows down the production of DHT. Minoxidil is a well documented medication that spurs hair growth on patients. Spironolactone is one of the most potent anti-androgens available.

We are not going to elaborate on what finasteride. Many of us are already familiar with this medication for hair loss and benign prostate enlargement. Email HairSite@aol.com if you need more info. 

Spironolactone tablet usually comes in 100mg strength and they are relatively inexpensive. Spironolactone is usually used as a diuretic and to control high blood pressure. It causes increased amounts of sodium and water to be excreted while potassium loss is minimized. Sometimes spironolactone is used in conjunction with other medications as an antihypertensive treatment.

The most notable functions of spironolactone as a hair loss treatment is that it works as an antiandrogen by decreasing the production of testosterone by the adrenal glands and by preventing DHT from binding to its androgenic receptor. Some have suggested that spironolactone can bond to the hair follicles before DHT can bind to the receptor. As a result it would be logical to use finasteride (Propecia / Proscar) in conjunction with spironolactone. The former reduces the amount of DHT on our scalp while the latter blocks the remaning DHT at the receptor sites.

Oral minoxidil is an antihypertensive agent. It has been scientifically proven that oral minoxidil also has positive effects on hair growth. In the late 80's, minoxidil is marketed as Rogain by Upjohn for the treatment of hair loss. Many patients who were on oral minoxidil reported hair growth as one of the side effects. In many cases, the hair growth is not limited to scalp hair alone, but also facial and body hair. One of our readers indicated that oral minoxidil is all that he needs for hair growth. He said it was truly amazing how a tiny little pill can work wonders that no other hair loss treatments combined could do.

Most doctors will not prescribe spironolactone to men as a hair loss treatment. Many doctors indicate that spironolactone is probably the most potent oral anti-androgens available and may cause side effects such as impotence, breast enlargement and decreased sex drive etc when taken by men. Despite the potential side effects, some men decided to turn to oral spironolactone as a last resort.  On the contrary, spironolactone is commonly prescribed for women as a hair loss treatment.

Most medical journals suggest that spironolactone should not be used in conjunction with any kind of potassium supplementation. As mentioned earlier, spironolactone minimized potassium loss in the body and excessive  potassium may cause hyperkalemia in patients. Do not administer spironolactone concurrently with other potassium sparing diuretics. Also, some of spironolactone's side effects include dryness of the mouth, lethargy, drowsiness and thirst especially when administered concomitant with other diuretics.

Due to the fact that spironolactone is a diuretic which increases urine excretion, some  suggested that the drug should be taken in the morning. The drug cocktail theory suggests that spironolactone may counteract the side effects of minoxidil. Specifically, oral minoxidil can cause swollen hands and feet, weight gain and increased water absorption etc. Since Spironolactone is a diuretic that causes increase urine excretion, many believe that it will minimize the side effects of oral minoxidil. There is no scientific study to confirm at this point.

Note that stabilized response may not occur for 6 – 12 months, so continuous treatment for that duration of time is recommended. Maintenance dosage should be determined on a patient-by-patient basis and can be lower than the initial dosage.

Due to the serious side effects associated with this drug cocktail, it is very dangerous to follow this regimen on your own. All three drugs are prescription medications. First of all, you have to find a doctor who is willing to put you on this drug cocktail treatment. Second, you have to obtain regular blood work, probably once every 2 – 3 months to ensure that your body is not reacting negatively to the treatment.

Note that we have not heard from anyone who claims to have thick full regrowth, so you have to weigh the pros and cons considering all the potentially dangerous side effects associated with this regimen. Also, we are not aware of the long term side effects associated with this treatment.

Before you do anything, ASK YOUR DOCTOR FIRST. 

HairSite Editorial
Questions, please email HairSite@aol.com

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