Hair Loss Medication Timeline: Here’s What to Expect, and When
Key takeaways:
Finasteride (Propecia) and minoxidil (Rogaine) are FDA approved to treat hair loss. Dutasteride (Avodart) and ketoconazole shampoo (Nizoral A-D) are two common off-label options.
It generally takes about 2 to 6 months to begin seeing benefits from your hair-loss medication. But it may take up to 12 months (1 year) to see the full benefits. Specific timelines vary by medication.
It’s best to keep using your hair loss medication even after you see results. You’ll likely experience hair loss after you stop it. Reach out to your healthcare professional with any questions about hair-loss medications.
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Table of contents
Hair loss can happen for a handful of reasons. Age, medications, and health conditions are just a few.
Regardless of the cause, it’s natural to feel on edge if you experience hair loss or thinning. The good news is there are medications — such as finasteride (Propecia) and more — that can help.
While the specific medication timeline for hair-loss medications can vary, it’s helpful to know when they should generally start working. We’ll break down what to expect by medication and answer some commonly asked questions.
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Which hair-loss medications are available?
There are several prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) hair loss medications for male-pattern baldness.
Medication | Forms | Prescription or OTC |
|---|---|---|
Finasteride | Tablets | Prescription |
Minoxidil (Rogaine) | Topical foam and liquid solution, tablets | Topical (OTC) Tablets (prescription) |
Dutasteride (Avodart) | Capsules | Prescription |
Ketoconazole shampoo (Nizoral A-D) | Shampoo | OTC (1% shampoo) Prescription (2% shampoo) |
Good to know: This article focuses on some of the most common medications for male-pattern baldness. For those experiencing alopecia areata — an autoimmune condition causing severe hair loss — there are a few other FDA-approved treatment options. These include Olumiant (baricitinib), Litfulo (ritlecitinib), Leqselvi (deuruxolitinib), and more. But Leqselvi isn’t available yet because of a patent dispute.
When do you start to see results from finasteride and other hair loss drugs?
The timeline for seeing results depends on which hair-loss medication(s) you’re taking. We’ve got you covered for when to expect results from hair-loss medications.
Finasteride
Finasteride is a first-choice medication that’s FDA approved for treating male-pattern hair loss. It’s a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5-ARI) that works by lowering levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) — a hormone that contributes to hair loss.
Finasteride starts working quickly after you take your first dose. In fact, it lowers DHT levels by about 65% in 24 hours (1 day). This helps prevent further hair loss. But it can take at least 3 months to start noticing any hair regrowth.
The recommended finasteride dosage for male-pattern hair loss is 1 mg by mouth once daily.
Minoxidil
Sometimes a side effect works as an advantage. People taking oral minoxidil for managing hypertension (high blood pressure) noticed it was causing hair growth. That’s why topical minoxidil was created. It’s now an approved go-to hair-loss medication that’s commonly found on the shelves of local pharmacies, big box retailers, and online. Minoxidil is thought to work by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles.
Although topical minoxidil should start working after you apply your first dose, hair growth will take some time. You should start seeing topical minoxidil’s effects about 2 to 4 months after applying it twice daily. You’ll likely first notice soft hair with no color that looks like peach fuzz. As you continue applying the medication, it should grow in the same color and thickness as your current hair.
Taking finasteride: Pharmacists talk about recommended finasteride (Propecia) dosages.
Finasteride stories: Real people share their experiences about taking finasteride for male-pattern baldness.
Side effects: Like all medications, finasteride can cause side effects. Learn from pharmacists about which ones to watch for.
While oral minoxidil isn’t approved for hair loss, research shows it can be an effective treatment. A recommended starting dosage is 2.5 mg by mouth once daily. You can expect to see results about 3 to 6 months after starting oral minoxidil.
Studies show that combining finasteride with topical minoxidil may be more effective than using them on their own. They work as a team to manage hair loss. You shouldn’t combine topical minoxidil with oral minoxidil, though.
Good to know: It’s normal to experience hair shedding after starting topical minoxidil. In fact, it’s a common and expected minoxidil side effect. The good news is it’s temporary and should last about 2 weeks. Typically this means you’re getting rid of old hair to start the hair regrowth process.
Dutasteride
Dutasteride is another 5-ARI. It’s approved to treat an enlarged prostate. Even though dutasteride isn’t officially approved for hair loss, it’s still a top option that many people turn to. You’ll likely notice benefits with dutasteride about 3 months after starting the medication.
Dutasteride may even be more effective than finasteride for hair loss. One meta-analysis found that people taking dutasteride had higher hair counts on the crown and front of the scalp than with finasteride. The studies took place over a 6-month timeframe. Dutasteride can also lower DHT levels by up to 90% in about 1 to 2 weeks.
The typical dutasteride dosage for hair loss is 0.5 mg by mouth once daily.
Ketoconazole shampoo
Ketoconazole shampoo is an antifungal that’s approved to treat dandruff and tinea versicolor (fungal infection). But your dermatologist may prescribe it as an off-label option for hair loss. It works in a similar way to finasteride and dutasteride; it blocks 5-ARI to lower DHT levels.
Studies suggest that ketoconazole shampoo works well as a supplementary treatment alongside other hair loss medications, such as finasteride. Ketoconazole shampoo was applied 2 to 3 times per week in most studies. Hair growth and thicker hair was typically seen 3 to 6 months after starting ketoconazole shampoo.
How long does it take for hair-loss medications to fully work?
It may seem like it’s taking a while to experience substantial hair growth after starting your medication. That’s because it takes some time to see the full benefits — up to 12 months (1 year), in fact.
Once they do start working, their effects usually last for a while. Continued benefits have been shown with finasteride in 5-year studies. Dutasteride research shows similar results of being effective after 5 years. The same was seen with topical minoxidil studies. Oral minoxidil has been studied for up to 1 year showing benefits. Limited research shows benefits with ketoconazole shampoo up to almost 2 years.
When can you stop taking hair-loss medications?
It may be tempting to stop your hair-loss medication, especially if you’re seeing good results. But you’ll likely start experiencing hair loss if you do so.
Once you stop finasteride, DHT levels typically return back to normal within about 14 days (2 weeks). This means you’ll likely start losing hair. Any regrown hair will typically be lost within 1 year of stopping finasteride.
Dutasteride stays in your body longer than finasteride after you stop it. It could take up to 6 months to start losing hair after stopping dutasteride.
Once you stop topical minoxidil, you can expect to lose regrown hair in 3 to 4 months. Oral minoxidil leaves your body within about 1 day after you stop it. You’ll gradually start to lose your hair. The data isn’t as clear with ketoconazole shampoo since it’s typically used with other hair-loss medications.
If you aren’t seeing any benefits 6 months after starting a hair-loss medication, it may be time to switch to a different one. Side effects could be another reason to switch medications. For instance, if you experience erectile dysfunction with finasteride, your dermatologist may recommend minoxidil. It’s rare for minoxidil to cause sexual side effects.
Always reach out to a dermatologist before stopping your hair loss medication.
Frequently asked questions
Once your dermatologist determines you’re experiencing male-pattern baldness, they’ll likely check first if you’re interested in treating it. If you’re ready to try a hair-loss medication, it’s best to start right as hair loss is beginning. This way it will be more effective.
There are various factors that may be involved in choosing the best hair-loss medication. Convenience could be one of them. Topical minoxidil is easily found OTC. Another item on your checklist is likely how effective the medications are. Studies show dutasteride may be more effective than finasteride. Reach out to your dermatologist to see which hair-loss medication is right for you.
Yes, your dermatologist will likely recommend a hair-loss medication before and after your hair transplant. Medications, such as finasteride, can help you maintain and improve your hair transplant results.
The bottom line
Finasteride (Propecia) and minoxidil (Rogaine) are FDA approved for treating hair loss. Dutasteride (Avodart) and ketoconazole shampoo (Nizoral A-D) are off-label hair-loss options that you may consider too. It can take about 2 to 6 months before you start seeing results from your hair loss medication. It’s best to keep taking your medication even after you see hair growth. If you stop it, you’ll likely experience hair loss again. Reach out to your healthcare professional about which hair-loss medication is right for you.
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References
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