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Can Propecia and Rogaine be used at the same time?

Propecia (generic name finasteride) and >Rogaine (minoxidil) are drugs used to treat hair loss. There is very little information about using them together to treat hair loss. The only published report involves a 32-year-old man who used minoxidil along with a daily 5-mg dose of finasteride—a dose that’s five time higher than the recommended dose for treating hair loss. In addition, the minoxidil was mixed with another drug called tretinoin (brand name Retin-A). Although this man grew more hair, it’s impossible to draw general conclusions or make recommendations based on this single case.

Further medical research is needed to find out if combining Propecia and Rogaine is safe and effective. And if they can be used together, more research will be needed to determine the most effective dose for each drug when they’re used together for hair loss. Because more scientific research needs to be done regarding this combination, please consult with your physician before combining these two drugs.

Sources:
Rogaine product information, Pharmacia Inc, 2006.
Propecia product information, Merck & Co., Inc, 2006.
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2006
Sawaya, Marty E. “Androgenetic Alopecia. New Approved and Unapproved Treatments.” Dermatologic Clinics 18 (2000).

This answer prepared 4/13/2001.
This information updated 12/05/2006.