Appecia (Finasteride 1mg) Tablets

What is Appecia used for?

Hair loss in men is very common.  Other names for hair loss are male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia, and you probably have a close family member with this condition as it is inherited.  Baldness cannot be cured, but it can be reversed if your hair loss is mild to moderate.  However, hair that has been lost for a long time cannot be restored.  Appecia tablets 1mg are used to slow the progression of male pattern baldness and prevent further hair loss from all areas of the scalp, including the front of the scalp.

The hair growth cycle

Hair growth follows a regular cycle.  There is a growth phase and a rest phase, and your hair is continually replaced.  Normally you would not notice when you lose a few hairs.  It is only if this cycle becomes disturbed that hair begins to thin and eventually stops growing.  Hairs are produced by hair follicles in the skin.  A new hair is generated at the base of the hair follicle, and over the next two to five years, the hair grows up to 2 cm per month.  This is the active growth phase, known as anagen.  The catagen phase, at the end of the growth phase, is when the fully formed hair becomes detached.  The hair follicle then transitions to the resting phase or telogen.  This phase usually lasts up to eight weeks while the old hair is shed from the follicle, and a new cycle of hair growth begins.  

Type of hair

In children and adult women, most of the body is covered in fine hair known as vellum hair.  After puberty in men, vellum hair becomes the thicker terminal hair under the influence of androgen hormones.  Terminal hair does develop in women but is only found in certain parts of the body, such as armpits and pubic regions.  Terminal hair is also the type of hair that grows on the scalp.

Male pattern baldness

Even on a full head of hair, a proportion of hairs will fall out at any one time as part of the hair growth cycle.  Hair loss under normal circumstances is usually at a rate of around 50 to 100 hairs a day.  Slowing down of hair growth is common with increasing age.  Hair loss due to male pattern baldness is due to a combination of a shorter growth phase and a faster rate of shedding detached hairs.  However, reduced hair growth and increased shedding of hairs are not the only factors in male pattern baldness.  The type of hair produced by the hair follicles to replace shed hairs also changes from terminal hair to vellum hair, and the hair follicles gradually become smaller.  Eventually, the hairs are so small that they are no longer visible.  Loss of hair usually begins with a receding hairline, followed by thinning of hair on the crown of the scalp called the vertex.  Gradually the pattern of hair loss continues over the scalp leaving a rim of hair around the base of the scalp. 

How does Appecia work?

Appecia tablets 1mg contain finasteride, a specific inhibitor of the enzyme type II 5α-reductase that is used to treat male pattern baldness. 

The male sex hormone testosterone is converted to its active metabolite, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), by the action of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase.  DHT is the major hormone that promotes secondary male characteristics, particularly the development and growth of the prostate gland.  Cells of the prostate and cells at the base of hair follicles have receptors for testosterone and DHT, and 5-alpha reductase is found mainly in the scalp and prostate.  DHT plays a significant role in the continual growth of prostate cells beyond puberty that can lead to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).  DHT is also involved in causing the miniaturisation of hair follicles that results in male pattern baldness.  It is thought that the hair follicles of men with male pattern baldness are more sensitive to the effects of DHT, which can disrupt the normal hair growth cycle.  The vertex, crown, and temples are areas of the scalp that have the greatest sensitivity to DHT. 

Finasteride in Appecia tablets 1mg inhibits the conversion of testosterone to DHT, which blocks the build-up of DHT in the hair follicles of the scalp.  This reverses the balding process, allowing the hair follicles to enlarge again and the hair in those follicles to grow normally.  However, Appecia cannot replace hair that has already been lost.

What does Appecia contain?

Appecia tablets 1mg contains the active ingredient finasteride, a specific inhibitor of the enzyme type II 5α-reductase that is used to treat male pattern baldness to reverse the balding process.

What are the side effects of Appecia?

Most medications have some side effects, but they are not experienced by everyone.  Some side effects are commonly experienced when taking Appecia tablets 1mg, but others are not so common, and you should discuss any problems or concerns with your primary care physician. 

Side effects when taking Appecia are not very common and usually mild and include temporary impotence (whilst continuing on treatment) erectile dysfunction and low libido, breast tenderness and enlargement (gynecomastia).

When should Appecia not be used?

Have a talk with your primary healthcare physician before taking Appecia tablets 1mg so that you have a full understanding of what this medicine is for and how to use it.  There are some reasons for not taking a medication; these are called contraindications, and for Appecia you should consider the following before taking Appecia:

• Have you ever had an unusual reaction or an allergy when taking Appecia?
• Are you a woman?  Appecia is not intended for use by women and can be harmful to an unborn child
• Are you an adolescent? Appecia is only intended for use by adult men.

What medications interact with Appecia?

Some medicines interact with Appecia tablets 1mg and may affect the way it works, or are affected by Appecia or increase side effects; you should discuss possible interactions with your primary care physician.  These may include minoxidil for hair loss. 

If other medications may interact with Appecia, your doctor will discuss these with you. 

How should Appecia be taken and for how long?

You should take your Appecia tablets 1mg swallowed whole with a glass of water once a day with or without food.  You should continue to take your Appecia tablets 1mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which is for three to six months.  This is how long it usually takes for new hair to grow.  If you stop taking your Appecia tablets 1mg during this time, hair loss may resume.

Missed dose of Appecia

If you miss a dose of Appecia tablets 1mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Appecia be stored?

You should store your Appecia tablets 1mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.  Keep away from direct sunlight.