AGA Medications Explained: Oral and Topical Treatments, Their Effects, Side Effects, and Types

“What are AGA treatment medications?”
“I’d like to know about the effects and side effects of AGA treatment medications.”

Do you have questions like these?

AGA treatment medications are drugs used to address AGA symptoms such as hair loss and thinning hair. They come in two forms—oral medications and topical medications—each with different effects and side effects.

On this page, we explain the effects, side effects, and how to choose AGA treatment medications. Please read through to the end so you can make an informed decision about the medication that may be right for you.

At our clinic, we suggest treatment approaches tailored to each individual patient and provide care focused on results.
We take the time to listen carefully to your concerns and symptoms, so please book a consultation using the button below.

What Are AGA Treatment Medications? Drugs That Help Address AGA Symptoms

AGA treatment medications are drugs used to address AGA symptoms such as hair loss and thinning hair. They are primarily used in the treatment of male-pattern hair loss.

Because AGA is a progressive form of hair loss, thinning and shedding will continue without treatment. Self-care measures and over-the-counter hair growth products alone are generally insufficient to improve symptoms.

For AGA treatment, it is important to administer AGA medications suited to each individual patient’s symptoms for the appropriate duration.

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What Is AGA? Male-Pattern Hair Loss That Occurs After Puberty

AGA (Androgenetic Alopecia) is a form of male-pattern hair loss that occurs after puberty.

AGA generally falls into two main types:

• Type characterized by increased hair shedding
• Type caused by a decline in hair growth capacity

The type involving increased hair shedding is primarily caused by DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a hormone that inhibits hair growth.

DHT is produced when testosterone—one of the male hormones—combines with enzymes in the scalp. The presence of DHT prevents hair from growing thick and long, contributing to thinning and increased hair shedding.

The type caused by declining hair growth capacity, on the other hand, is primarily attributed to aging and irregular lifestyle habits. A slowing metabolism due to aging, as well as nutritional deficiencies and reduced blood circulation caused by poor lifestyle habits, can lead to thinning hair.

What Types of AGA Treatment Medications Are There? Oral and Topical

AGA treatment medications come in two types:

• Oral medications
• Topical medications

AGA oral medications are medications taken in tablet or similar form. Propecia and Zagallo are examples of oral medications.

AGA topical medications, on the other hand, are applied directly to the scalp. They contain ingredients with hair growth-promoting properties, with minoxidil being the primary topical medication used.

What Is the Difference Between AGA Oral and Topical Medications? Comparing Effects and Side Effects

The types of AGA treatment medications (oral and topical) are as follows. Please review the differences in effects and side effects for each.

The finasteride tablets listed above are the generic version of Propecia.

A generic medication is a follow-on drug manufactured with the same active ingredient and formulation as the brand-name drug. Because development costs are lower, it may be available at a lower price while offering comparable effects.

When selecting a treatment medication, however, it is important to choose one suited to your physical constitution, so please consult your doctor and take the medication appropriate for you.

Main Oral Medications for AGA Treatment

The main oral medications for AGA treatment are as follows:

• Propecia
• Finasteride Tablets
• Zagallo
• Minotab (Minoxidil Tablet)

Below, we explain the characteristics of each oral medication in detail.

Propecia | An AGA Treatment Medication Approved by the FDA and Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Propecia is an AGA treatment medication that has received approval from the FDA and authorization from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. It was developed by Merck & Co. in the United States and is marketed in Japan by MSD K.K.

The primary mechanism of Propecia is the inhibition of the enzyme “5α-reductase type II,” which is responsible for increasing DHT production. It works to normalize the hair cycle and help slow the progression of hair loss and thinning.

Please note that Propecia does not promote new hair growth. If you are looking for hair growth effects, consider combining it with another AGA treatment medication.

The following page provides a detailed explanation of Propecia—please take a look.

What Are the Effects and Side Effects of Propecia? A Guide to How to Obtain It and Pricing

Finasteride Tablets (Generic Propecia) | Inhibits DHT Production

Finasteride tablets are the generic version of Propecia. Like Propecia, they have received approval from the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration).

The effects of finasteride tablets are also similar to those of Propecia: normalizing the hair cycle.

By inhibiting the activity of 5α-reductase type II, finasteride tablets inhibit the production of DHT—which is responsible for shortening the hair cycle—helping to normalize the hair cycle and slow the progression of hair loss and thinning.

The following page provides a detailed explanation of finasteride tablets—please take a look.

What Is Finasteride? A Guide to the Effects, Side Effects, and Prescription Costs of the AGA Treatment Medication “Propecia”

Zagallo | May Help Slow Hair Loss and Thinning at the Hairline and Crown

 

Zagallo is an AGA treatment medication developed by GlaxoSmithKline that has received approval in Japan.

Its active ingredient is dutasteride, and like Propecia, it may help normalize the hair cycle by suppressing DHT production.

Because Zagallo acts on both type I and type II 5α-reductase, it may help slow hair loss and thinning at both the frontal hairline and the crown of the head.

The following pages provide detailed explanations of Zagallo and its active ingredient dutasteride—please take a look.

Is Zagallo Safe? A Guide to Its Effects, Side Effects, and Generic Options

What Is Dutasteride, the Active Ingredient in Zagallo? A Guide to Its Hair Growth Effects and Side Effects

Minotab (Minoxidil Tablet) | Works Directly on Hair Matrix Cells

Minotab is an AGA treatment medication recognized for its efficacy in the United States and approved in multiple countries around the world. It is available in both tablet and topical forms, with the tablet form being the oral medication.

Minoxidil works by acting directly on hair matrix cells (hair follicles), which are the source of hair growth. It promotes cell proliferation and activates dormant follicles to encourage new hair growth.

A notable characteristic of minoxidil is that it may be particularly helpful for thinning hair at the crown of the head. Conversely, it tends to be less effective at the frontal hairline and forehead area.

The following page provides a detailed explanation of Minotab—please take a look.

What Are the Effects of Minotab (Minoxidil Tablet)? A Guide to Side Effects and How to Take It

Main Topical Medication for AGA Treatment: “Topical Minoxidil”

As a topical AGA treatment medication, the topical (cream/lotion) form of minoxidil is the primary option. It is applied directly to the scalp.

Like oral minoxidil, it may help promote hair matrix cell proliferation (hair growth effect) and normalize the hair cycle (hair-strengthening effect). While its hair growth effect may be less pronounced than that of the oral form, it is associated with fewer side effects.

For a comparison of side effects between oral and topical forms, please refer to the table below.

Side Effects of Oral Medication	・Increased body hair ・Swelling of the face, hands, or feet ・Dizziness due to reduced blood pressure
Side Effects of Topical Medication	・Itching at the application site or throughout the body ・Acne

Oral Minotab is only permitted for use when prescribed and supervised by a physician.

Topical minoxidil, on the other hand, is available over the counter. However, we recommend using medications prescribed by a clinic or hospital, taking into account both effectiveness and individual compatibility.

The following page provides a detailed explanation of Minotab—please take a look.

What Is Minoxidil? A Guide to the Effects and Side Effects of Tablets and Topical Forms, and Generic Options

Should You Stop Taking AGA Medication If Side Effects Appear?

The side effects that may appear vary depending on the type of AGA treatment medication.

For example, the main side effects of Propecia tablets include decreased libido and ejaculatory disorders, while those of Zagallo include liver dysfunction and urticaria (hives).

If you experience side effects from a medication you are taking, please visit a clinic and consult your doctor about whether to continue or discontinue use.

Making this decision on your own carries a risk of health complications, so please seek medical advice at a clinic.

Is It Risky to Purchase AGA Medications Online or Through Personal Importation?

AGA treatment medications can be purchased online or through personal importation. However, we do not recommend this due to the many risks involved, including the possibility of counterfeit or substandard products.

Furthermore, because the most suitable medication varies from person to person depending on individual constitution and symptoms, there is a risk of not experiencing the desired results or of experiencing adverse health effects.

Please use AGA treatment medications prescribed by a clinic rather than purchasing them through personal importation or online retailers.

At our clinic, we listen carefully to each patient’s concerns and prescribe treatment medications suited to their individual symptoms. If you are considering AGA treatment, please feel free to consult IC Clinic.

How to Choose an AGA Treatment Medication

 

There are three main approaches to choosing an AGA treatment medication:

• Select based on the effects of the AGA medication
• Select a medication that suits your physical constitution
• Select based on the cost of the AGA medication

Below, we explain each approach in detail.

How to Choose ① Select Based on the Effects of the AGA Medication

When choosing an AGA treatment medication, it is important to select one whose effects are suited to the symptoms you wish to address.

For example, minoxidil may promote hair growth and strengthening, but it does not address the underlying cause of AGA itself.

Medications such as Propecia and Zagallo are the options that act on dihydrotestosterone, the hormone that contributes to AGA.

Combining medications such as Propecia and minoxidil may be worth considering, but the most suitable medication will differ depending on how far each patient’s condition has progressed. Please proceed with treatment based on a diagnosis from a clinic.

How to Choose ② Select a Medication That Suits Your Physical Constitution

When choosing an AGA treatment medication, it is important to take into account the patient’s existing medical conditions and physical constitution.

When receiving a prescription from a doctor or clinic, please inform them of any medications you are currently taking and any side effects you have experienced in the past.

Since side effects may adversely affect the liver or cardiac function, caution is required when taking AGA treatment medications.

How to Choose ③ Select Based on the Cost of the AGA Medication

AGA cannot be addressed with a single course of medication. Ongoing use is necessary to help slow the progression of AGA.

For this reason, medication cost is one of the important factors when selecting a treatment. High medication costs can make it difficult to continue, and it is not uncommon for patients to discontinue use partway through.

AGA treatment medications are not covered by insurance, so if you are considering taking them, please confirm the cost of the medication at the time of your clinic visit.

How Much Do AGA Medications Cost? Our Clinic’s Prescription Fees

The cost of AGA treatment medications at our clinic varies depending on the type of medication, such as oral or topical.

For detailed pricing of AGA treatment medications, please refer to the AGA / FAGA / Hair Loss price list.

Frequently Asked Questions About AGA Treatment Medications

Here we have compiled frequently asked questions about AGA treatment medications.

Q. Do I need to take AGA treatment medications for the rest of my life?

Because AGA is a progressive form of hair loss, ongoing use of medication is necessary for treatment.

However, this does not necessarily mean you must take it for life. If the medication is showing results, it may be possible to reduce the type or dosage as needed while maintaining its effects.

At IC Clinic, we listen carefully to each patient’s concerns and prescribe appropriate treatment medications, so please feel free to consult us.

Q. Will AGA return if I stop using AGA treatment medications?

There are cases in which AGA symptoms return after discontinuing treatment medications.

For this reason, continued use of the medication is necessary to maintain its effects.

One drawback of AGA treatment medications is the ongoing cost of continued use. There is also the possibility of side effects such as scalp itching or irritation.

Some patients may be considering stopping AGA treatment due to cost or concerns about side effects.

We recommend seeking a medical evaluation and consulting your doctor about whether to continue or discontinue use.

Q. Can pregnant women take AGA treatment medications?

 

AGA treatment medications are intended for use by adult males only, and there is no benefit for women in taking them. Even for males, use by minors is not permitted.

In addition, use by pregnant women is strictly contraindicated due to the risk of adverse effects on fetal development.

Because the active ingredients in AGA treatment medications may be absorbed through skin contact, pregnant women should also take care when handling these medications.

Q. Are there ways to treat AGA other than medication?

One non-medication option for treating AGA is HARG+ (HARG Plus) therapy.

HARG+ therapy is a regenerative treatment that promotes hair growth and density by directly injecting a pharmaceutical agent into the scalp. Hair growth, strengthening, and anti-shedding effects may be seen in as little as three months in some cases.

HARG+ therapy involves the direct injection of growth factors into the scalp, making it applicable for female hair thinning as well. Because the procedure uses injections and fine needles, it is less likely to leave visible scarring.

The following page provides a detailed explanation of HARG+ therapy—please take a look.

What Is HARG+ (HARG Plus) Therapy, a Talked-About AGA Treatment? Explaining Its Three Key Features, Pricing, and Treatment Duration

Consult IC Clinic for AGA Treatment Medication Prescriptions

AGA treatment medications are drugs used to address AGA symptoms such as hair loss and thinning hair. The effects and side effects vary depending on the type of medication.

The main AGA treatment medications are as follows:

• Propecia
• Finasteride Tablets
• Zagallo
• Minotab (Minoxidil Tablet)
• Topical Minoxidil

Choose an AGA treatment medication suited to the symptoms you wish to address and your individual constitution. However, please obtain it through a clinic prescription rather than personal importation or online purchase.

At our clinic, we listen carefully to each patient’s concerns and prescribe treatment medications suited to their individual symptoms. If you are considering AGA treatment, please consider consulting IC Clinic.

At our clinic, we suggest treatment approaches tailored to each individual patient and provide care focused on results.
We take the time to listen carefully to your concerns and symptoms, so please book a consultation using the button below.