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Permalink Reply by PamW San Diego, CA, USA on March 15, 2015 at 8:07pm

I have been taking duasteride once a week for about 6 months. I think it has slowed things down, but there is no real way of telling because you do not know what you would be like if you did not take it. My drug is called Avodart. Others in this group also use the drug but their doctors prescribe a higher dosage per week.

Permalink Reply by Annie on March 16, 2015 at 5:29pm

PamW, would you mind sharing if your insurance covers Avodart for FFA?  I have an appointment with my derm in April, & thought I might discuss it with him.   

Permalink Reply by PamW San Diego, CA, USA on March 16, 2015 at 9:19pm

Yes. Oddly enough, they would not cover finasteride, but dutasteride (avodart) is covered. I told my doctor about the retrospective study from Duke University, she looked it up and then approved the prescription.

Permalink Reply by Annie on March 17, 2015 at 10:45am

Thanks, Pam W.  That's good to know.  I don't know if my doctor will prescribe Avodart for me.  He's not exactly cutting edge.  He said that my ffa had stabilized at my last visit 5 months ago, but I'm still experiencing hair loss (although to a lesser degree) and scalp tenderness. I think perhaps he thinks that it's as much as we can hope for until the ffa burns itself out.