Common Generic Drugs for Hair Loss

By Helen PackJul 25, 20211345

Hair loss is a common problem, and men are more prone to it, according to stats. Roughly, 40% of men lose their hair because of hereditary reasons. By the age of 50, they lose around 50% of their hair. It is estimated that 50 million American men experience androgenetic alopecia or a male pattern of baldness. Other factors such as diet, mental health, and physical health can affect your hair loss.

Different stages of hair growth:

Anagen Phase: Hair grows approximately 0.3-0.4 mm a day on average or around 12-15cm annually; this can also be genetically determined. As people age, the hair growth rate slowdowns. The hair root appears white and tapered during this phase.

Catagen Phase: the hair growth is stopped, and the hair root began to shrink. The Catagen phase lasts up to two to three weeks.

Telogen Phase: Commonly termed as a resting phase. The hair root becomes rounded as it shrinks; and waits for the new anagen hair to push it so it could fall off. This phase lasts up to three to four months for scalp hair.

Understanding Male-Pattern Hair Loss

Male-pattern hair loss is scientifically known as androgenetic alopecia. It is the common kind of permanent male baldness pattern. The condition is characterized by declining the hairline or hair loss on the top of the head.

Male-pattern hair loss can be inherited as it occurs due to increased sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT hampers the growth phase of the hair cycle, which leads to finer hair progressively. Men who have low levels of testosterone are do not experience this pattern of baldness. Men can lose up to 20% of their hair initially.

Signs and Symptoms

• Gradual thinning on top of head: This commonly occurs as age increases the hairline keeps receding. Women can also experience a receding hairline that is called frontal fibrosing alopecia.
• Bald spots: Some may experience hair loss in circular patches on their scalp, beard, or eyebrows. The skin can become itchy or painful, and then the hairs fall out.
• Sudden hair loss: A physical or emotional trauma can make you lose your hair. Handfuls of hair may come out while brushing gently or lightly tugging them. This type of hair loss can cause severe hair thinning.
• Full-body hair loss: Some health conditions or treatments such as cancer chemotherapy can result in full-body hair loss; all the hairs of the body get affected in this condition. The hair usually grows back after the treatment is complete.
• Patches of scaling that spread over the scalp: This is usually the sign of ringworm infection. Besides, broken hair, redness, swelling, and, at times pus may ooze out.

Common Generic Drugs for Hair Loss

If the hair loss occurs due to some underlying disease, treating that cause stops the hair loss issue. Besides, if the hair loss occurs due to a medicine, your doctor may advise you to discontinue it. He may also reduce your course of that medicine. Therefore, the causes of hair loss can differ; accordingly, the treatment of hair loss changes. However, there are some commonly used generic anti-hair loss medicines.

Generic medications that are available to treat baldness are as follows:

Minoxidil (Rogaine)

Minoxidil is an over-the-counter medicine. Therefore, it can be available in different brand names. It is a liquid drug-like shampoo. To get effective results minoxidil needs to be used once daily for women and twice daily for men. Wet your hair and apply a product like shampoo. Products with minoxidil have helped people by stimulating hair growth. It'll take a minimum of six months to regrow the hair and to see noticeable hair growth. It will take some time for this drug to work. If it works, you should continue taking it. The potential side minoxidil effects include scalp irritation and unwanted hair growth on hands and face.

Finasteride (Propecia)

This drug is widely prescribed to stop hair loss. It is not a shampoo but an oral medicine. For men, finasteride works to slow down the hair loss process, and some may experience regrowth of hair. You need to take this drug as long as recommended to get noticeable hair growth. Finasteride may not work for men above 60 years of age. Finasteride may cause severe side effects, including reduced sexual arousal and sexual function. Women who are pregnant must avoid coming in contact with this drug.