Available Dosage Strengths
0.3% / 1% / 6.5% / 0.01%
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The drugs have been combined into a topical formulation to promote and prevent hair loss. Each drug has a unique mechanism of action to support development and growth of hair.
Finasteride Description1-3
Finasteride, a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, has been shown to benefit patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. Benign prostatic hyperplasia affects men over the age of 50. Finasteride has also been shown to benefit androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness).
Hydrocortisone4,5
Hydrocortisone, a steroid hormone that systematically has both glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid activity, is the synthetic form of cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Hydrocortisone topically has anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, anti-mitotic, and immunosuppressive properties. There are many topical steroids available on the market. Hydrocortisone is a low potency steroid.
Minoxidil6-8
Topical minoxidil is a vasodilatory compound originally developed as an oral antihypertensive agent. It was found to stimulate hair growth (from the observation of hypertrichosis (excessive, abnormal hair growth) in patients taking oral minoxidil) and was subsequently FDA approved for androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern hair loss).3
Tretinoin9-12
Tretinoin, a naturally occurring derivative of vitamin A, is also called all-trans-retinoic acid. Retinoids may facilitate regulation of cell reproduction, cell proliferation and differentiation. Combining tretinoin and minoxidil may provide a synergistic increase in the expression of hair growth markers (e.g., Erk, Akt, Bcl-2, and Bax).
Finasteride1-3
Finasteride is an analog of testosterone that acts as a competitive, specific inhibitor of type II 5-alpha-reductase, an intracellular enzyme that converts testosterone to the potent androgen 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone. The type II 5-alpha-reductase isozyme is primarily found in prostate, seminal vesicles, epididymides, and hair follicles, as well as liver. Dihydrotestosterone has been shown to increase prostate growth and can lead to hair thinning. Finasteride has been shown to shrink the prostate to improve urinary flow and in scalp lowers dihydrotestosterone to slow hair loss and promote regrowth.
Hydrocortisone4,5
The anti-inflammatory effects of topical hydrocortisone may occur through vasoconstriction. The vasoconstriction minimizes inflammatory mediators delivered to the inflamed area. Topical hydrocortisone may also inhibit the release of phospholipase A2, which reduces prostaglandins and leukotriene. Lastly, topical hydrocortisone inhibits DNA and transcription factors related to inflammation. It does this by increasing the expression of anti-inflammatory genes and indirectly inhibit inflammatory transcription factors, such as NF-kB, to decrease the expression of pro-inflammatory genes.
Topical hydrocortisone also has an anti-mitotic effect by decreasing epidermal mitosis mediated through an increase in lipocortin, an endogenous glucocorticoid-regulated protein.
Topical hydrocortisone also inhibits humoral factors in the inflammatory response by suppressing immune cells from maturing, differentiating and proliferating.
Minoxidil6-8
The drug has many mechanisms in supporting hair growth:
Tretinoin9-12
Tretinoin may have several mechanisms to facilitate hair growth including the following:
Finasteride1-3,18
Common
With systematic absorption (rare)
Hydrocortisone4
Common
Minoxidil6-8
Common
Topical minoxidil is generally well tolerated but may cause local effects:
Tretinoin9
Common
Contraindications 1-4,9,10,13
Precautions 1-4,9,10,13
Store at room temperatures between (59-86°F). Protect from light and keep the container tightly closed. Women should not handle crushed or broken finasteride tablets when they are pregnant or may potentially be pregnant because of the possibility of absorption of finasteride and the subsequent potential risk to a male fetus. Keep out of reach of children and pets.
This information is for educational purposes only. This compounded product has not been reviewed, approved, or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration for safety and effectiveness. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. No claims are made regarding treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease or condition.
This information may not cover all possible drug information about this product. Call your doctor for medical advice and/or about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. A Wells Pharmacy Network pharmacist will be happy to answer any questions. For consultation, please call 1-800-622-4510.
