July 28 2005, 2:20 pm PT | Posted in: Drugs + Hair Products
Hello Dr. Rassman.
Thank you for taking the time to respond. I also wanted to ask you about going on Avodart (Dutasteride) or it’s Generic Dutagen. I have been on Propecia since 1999, and I think it is no longer working. I read Merck’s official report on Propecia’s 5 year efficacy, and it looks like after 5 years Propecia stops growing any hair at all, and it’s ability to keep hair is weakened. Dutasteride appears to block 93% of DHT production, where Propecia can only block 38-45% DHT. Can I get a prescription form you or Dr. McClellan? I am noticing that my “own” non-transplanted hair is thinning, and hopefully the Dutasteride or it’s generic version can stop any more loss.Also, I am using Nizoral shampoo (Ketoconazole) 2 times a week, and Head and Shoulders shampoo (Pyrithione Zinc) on the other days. Is it safe to mix the Ketoconazole and P. Zinc? A friend told me that the P. Zinc can cause miniaturization of the hair follicle, and mixing the 2 shampoos can have disastrous results. Then on the the other hand, many people on online hair loss forums are saying it is fine to mix the two shampoos. Only using Nizoral 2x a week does not stop my newly acquired incessant itching. It would be great if I knew it was safe to use Ketoconazole and P.Zinc.
Thank you so much for you time, I’m sure you hear all these worries all of the time. Now that I see my new hair sprouting, I want to keep it growing, and keep or grow more of my own.
Here is a link to some of my other posts with my comments on Avodart. I will make a decision with regards to prescribing Avodart in early September, after I return from the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery meetings in Sydney, Australia.
With regard to the various questions you had concerning the shampoos you mentioned, I really do not know the answer, as many people respond differently to each. Experiment with each and when you find something working, then stick to it. Mixing shampoos should not be a problem.
i’ve read avodart may interact with KETOCONAZOLE on their prescribing info, are they refering to ketoconazole taken orally? does that apply to topical nizoral 1% shampoo containing ketoconazole. does that apply to propecia or proscar about the ketoconazole? i know the website for nizoral says not to use with certain meds, but does not mention dutasteride or finasteride. what shampoo do you recommend for scalp irritation? is the non-prescribed nizoral sufficient or should i get the prescribed 2%? i was already using minoxidil 5% before i started with propecia now avodart, which minox causes my scalp to itch, should i stop minox, i’ve read doc rassman said follicles might already be dependant on minox, might loss hair if stop even though on dht blocker, would adding saw palmetto to my minox help block dht on scalp, i know it probably just blocks the production of dht, but once dht is made doesn’t destroy in sebum and oil already LOL, Thank you for any help, i live in Houston, would i have to come to doc rassman’s office for consultation for hair, does he have other offices near Houston like Bosley?