Andrew,

You are correct. TS - if you really have Propecia, you should not be cutting it in half, it is only 1mg per pill. If you have Proscar, then use a pill cutter to cut it into approximate quarters. It doesn't matter if they are exact, you will still be getting 5mg every 4 days and the small variation in dosage shouldn't be a problem. Men on Proscar for prostate problems take the whole 5mg pill daily, so you won't be overdosing on days when the piece is more than 1.25mg.

Miles

My point is not about dosages, but about the fact that the pills in my refill are oblong, not round. It is even more difficult to cut these into 1/4's.

Sounds like you are not getting generic Proscar. Are you based in the U.S.?

Gorpy's right..........the generic Proscar I get is round...........are you sure this is generic Proscar? Regular Proscar is pentagon-shaped and it can be quartered though not as well as the round ones. Not sure about oblong-shaped?

I posted this over on the meds board but wanted to ask this here as this side seems to get more current responses:

Okay, a question that I can't seen to find an answer to after looking around. Would there be any benefit to an increased amount of finestaride initially? Since I am using the generic and cutting the tablets, would there be any known advantage to taking a double dose or would this in fact be detrimental and caused increased shedding or perhaps worse?

I am just thinking that since there isn't any in my system to start, it might actually help bring the DHT level down quickly ya know, kinda like when you first have to take an anabiotic they ask you to double up the first few days? I don't hear of any docs recommending a higher dosage initially so my guess is no but I thought I'd throw that out.

The thing that kinda sucks is the shedding that it sounds like Propecia/Proscar initially causes. I've experienced some shock, which I expected since my hair was pretty weak and sick on top from the views I saw of it up close before my procedure , but dang, I don't like the shed. I was kinda hoping to keep more of my hairs to 'cover' more of the new growth areas but with the shedding, I am devising ways to stay out of work longer to allow some regrowth LOL. So, I am grasping at straws trying to figure out a way to get the original hairs to stick around a bit.

AY-

I understanding what you are saying, kind of a "loading dose", eh? I think I have heard of others trying this, but, since it is something you'll continue taking over time I think I'd just stick with the plan you're going to use over the long haul. If you want to try it, I'd ask you Doc their opinion on it.

Try not to psyche yourself out about the shed..........some experience it but many don't. Maybe you'll be one of the fortunate ones and skip it ! In any case, telogen (resting) phase only lasts for 6 weeks then it should start coming back.

As for "faster" hair growth for native hair (not new HT hair), some have used MSM which you may give a try............as a bonus it's good for the joints.