Many patients with androgenetic alopecia consider a hair transplant as the definitive solution to restore lost hair. While hair transplantation is the only way to permanently replace hair that has already been lost, oral medication remains the foundation of hair loss treatment, helping to stabilise the condition and preserve existing hair.

The medications most commonly prescribed by hair restoration specialists include anti-androgens, such as finasteride or dutasteride, as well as oral minoxidil.

Anti-androgens work by slowing or stabilising the progression of androgenetic alopecia. In practical terms, this means that the native hair you still have can be preserved for as long as treatment continues. Without medical therapy, the transplanted hair will generally remain permanent, but the surrounding native hair may continue to thin as the alopecia progresses.

Oral minoxidil, on the other hand, is primarily used to stimulate hair growth and increase the thickness of existing hairs. By improving hair calibre, it enhances the overall appearance of density and helps reduce the visible effects of hair thinning.

Myths and safety of oral hair loss medication

There are many misconceptions surrounding medications used to treat hair loss. However, when prescribed and monitored by an experienced physician, these treatments have an excellent safety profile and are considered safe for the vast majority of suitable patients.

As with any prescription medication, treatment should always be individualised and supervised by a qualified healthcare professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will I need to take oral medication?

The duration of treatment and the appropriate dosage should always be determined by your doctor. For this reason, it is essential to consult an experienced hair restoration specialist who can tailor the treatment plan to your individual needs and monitor your progress over time.

Is it true that I should avoid trying to conceive while taking these medications?

Yes. Certain medications used to treat hair loss, particularly finasteride and dutasteride, require special consideration when planning a pregnancy.

If you and your partner are planning to conceive, you should inform your doctor. They may recommend a washout period, during which the medication is discontinued before attempting pregnancy, depending on your individual circumstances and current medical recommendations.

Do oral hair loss medications have any contraindications?

Like all medications, treatments for hair loss may cause side effects in some patients. However, when prescribed appropriately and monitored through regular follow-up appointments, they are generally well tolerated and should not present significant problems for most individuals.

Will I need to take tablets for the rest of my life, or are there alternatives?

Medical treatment plays a key role in stabilising androgenetic alopecia. As patients get older, the dosage may sometimes be reduced, and in certain cases treatment may even be temporarily discontinued under medical supervision.

Topical treatments may also be considered as an alternative to oral medication. When applied consistently, topical therapies can be highly effective for many patients.

Commercial products or compounded medication?

Finasteride is currently approved for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia at a dose of 1 mg per day.

The use of dutasteride for hair loss is currently considered off-label, meaning that there is no commercially licensed dutasteride product specifically approved for androgenetic alopecia. In many countries, commercially available dutasteride products, such as Avodart, are officially indicated for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) rather than hair loss.

For this reason, Dr. Espinosa Custodio often prescribes compounded formulations, prepared individually by a pharmacy according to the dosage required for each patient. To minimise the risk of formulation errors, these prescriptions should always be prepared by pharmacies with extensive experience in pharmaceutical compoundingstral, ésta debe hacerse en farmacias especializadas con experiencia en formulación de medicamentos.

Dr. Espinosa Custodio works at the Instituto Médico del Prado, his hair clinic in Madrid or in Mexico City. If you wish to schedule an appointment, you can contact us at the phone number +34 912 468 664, on WhatsApp +34 627 396 322, or through the contact page on our website. If you are contacting us from Mexico, our phone number is +52 55 4590 9909.