Getting a Prescription

[Kinky Temples]

I was just wondering if I have a right to buy a certain medicine (Proscar)

I am 19 and I have already received permission to buy Propecia from my dermatologist (even when my derm disagreed that I was thinning). That was 7 months ago. During those 7 months I've been taking a generic version of the drug (finasteride) because Propecia is ridiculously expensive for me. Though, I no longer trust what I'm taking is legit, but I still have a feeling it is. It's the one from 4rx.com. Either way I want to get Proscar because it's manufactured by Merck. I'll most likely stop taking the generic once I've finished my 7th 30 tablet packet. Can't say my hair's gotten any better or worse since I can't tell.

What I'm curious about though are my rights to actually have Proscar. I know it isn't intended for the treatment of MPB, but I don't want to waste 40$ a month when I can get nearly the same benefits from using split Proscar tablets. So, can I have it even if my doctor doesn't think I have enlarged testes? When is a doctor prohibited from giving a specific medicine to a patient?

I'm really hoping I can get Proscar.

[Mark]

I was just wondering if I have a right to buy a certain medicine (Proscar)

I am 19 and I have already received permission to buy Propecia from my dermatologist (even when my derm disagreed that I was thinning). That was 7 months ago. During those 7 months I've been taking a generic version of the drug (finasteride) because Propecia is ridiculously expensive for me. Though, I no longer trust what I'm taking is legit, but I still have a feeling it is. It's the one from 4rx.com. Either way I want to get Proscar because it's manufactured by Merck. I'll most likely stop taking the generic once I've finished my 7th 30 tablet packet. Can't say my hair's gotten any better or worse since I can't tell.

What I'm curious about though are my rights to actually have Proscar. I know it isn't intended for the treatment of MPB, but I don't want to waste 40$ a month when I can get nearly the same benefits from using split Proscar tablets. So, can I have it even if my doctor doesn't think I have enlarged testes? When is a doctor prohibited from giving a specific medicine to a patient?

I'm really hoping I can get Proscar.

Do you live in the United States?

[Kinky Temples]

Yeah I live in Maryland.

I heard from everyone who has Proscar got it even when they just wanted to treat hairloss so they can save money, so I have high hopes of getting it, but my real question is, is whether or not you get a doc's prescription based on how a doctor feels about your situation, or is a doc ever not able to legally let you buy a drug? Do I have a right to buy Proscar if I'm 19 year old male with fear of hair loss? I can't afford Propecia period.

[Mark]

Yeah I live in Maryland.

I heard from everyone who has Proscar got it even when they just wanted to treat hairloss so they can save money, so I have high hopes of getting it, but my real question is, is whether or not you get a doc's prescription based on how a doctor feels about your situation, or is a doc ever not able to legally let you buy a drug? Do I have a right to buy Proscar if I'm 19 year old male with fear of hair loss? I can't afford Propecia period.

Finasteride is a controlled substance in the United States, so to comply with federal law (as well as the laws in your state which may vary), it is necessary for you to have a prescription for finasteride.

Now, there are some people who buy it over the internet without a prescription, but you must understand that I can not give you advice on how to break the law.

The good news is that I doubt you will have trouble finding a doctor to prescribe Proscar to you. It's not an addictive narcotic, it won't get you high, and the side effects are minimal. If you have trouble getting a prescription from one doctor, try another. You should be able to find a doctor who cares about your circumstance and can help you.

-Mark

[Kinky Temples]

...

Ok so a doc does have full rights to choose to give you a drug or not, I see now. I hate that to be honest. It's a waste of time for me to schedule appointments and drive far and pay money to see several docs just to get a pre. for a drug. Btw can any doc prescribe it or does it have to be a dermatologist? My derm did prescribe propecia, but the fear I have is she won't let me buy Proscar to treat hair loss even if I tell her I can't afford Propecia.

Wish me luck dude. :(

[Mark]

...

Ok so a doc does have full rights to choose to give you a drug or not, I see now. I hate that to be honest. It's a waste of time for me to schedule appointments and drive far and pay money to see several docs just to get a pre. for a drug. Btw can any doc prescribe it or does it have to be a dermatologist? My derm did prescribe propecia, but the fear I have is she won't let me buy Proscar to treat hair loss even if I tell her I can't afford Propecia.

Wish me luck dude. :(

Any doctor who can prescribe medication can prescribe Finasteride. If your doctor is unfamiliar with Finasteride, you can politely let them know that Proscar is simply 5mg finasteride and Propecia is 1mg. No difference otherwise. You should probably explain that the reason you want 5mg is that it's less expensive.

Good luck, dude.
-Mark

[Kinky Temples]

Not surprisingly I get $hat on, though.

I just read the reply from my doc and she said she can't prescribe it because it's purpose isn't to treat hair loss, as if it ****ing matters. It isn't like Propecia only treats hair loss either. Apparently just because of the differences in the main purposes I can't get it. I even mentioned to her I can't afford Prop while going to college at the same time.

How people who want Proscar to treat their hair loss, get Proscar baffles me. Why haven't I heard of one case where someone was prohibited from buying the drug?

Guess I'll have to find a way to get more money to buy Prop, or hopefully my derm will give me a prescription. I've been on generic finasteride but being the paranoid guy I am I don't think it will be effective. Like I said I've been on it for 7-8 months now. Didn't notice much.

Edit: Never mind, a simple google search told me there are worthless dermatologists in this world.

Guess I'll have to see someone else (while on f***ing expensive Propecia).

Btw sorry for the language.

[Mark]

Not surprisingly I get $hat on, though.

I just read the reply from my doc and she said she can't prescribe it because it's purpose isn't to treat hair loss, as if it ****ing matters. It isn't like Propecia only treats hair loss either. Apparently just because of the differences in the main purposes I can't get it. I even mentioned to her I can't afford Prop while going to college at the same time.

How people who want Proscar to treat their hair loss, get Proscar baffles me. Why haven't I heard of one case where someone was prohibited from buying the drug?

Guess I'll have to find a way to get more money to buy Prop, or hopefully my derm will give me a prescription. I've been on generic finasteride but being the paranoid guy I am I don't think it will be effective. Like I said I've been on it for 7-8 months now. Didn't notice much.

Edit: Never mind, a simple google search told me there are worthless dermatologists in this world.

Guess I'll have to see someone else (while on f***ing expensive Propecia).

Btw sorry for the language.

My only advice is to try and find a different doctor. If you explain the reason you want proscar, (that it's just 5mg finasteride that you can cut), I can't imagine why they wouldn't prescribe it.

Best of luck,
-Mark

[Kinky Temples]

There are 3 other dermatologists in my area.

The problem with consulting with them is that a consultation typically costs around 150 dollars. My insurance only covers consultations I would have at one type of hospital.

So, for those of you who had to see other dermatologists to get Proscar, what did you do exactly? Pay lots of cash just to see what he or she will say? Or did you have multiple kinds of insurances/an insurance that is accepted by a lot of hospitals?

I didn't get the reply from my derm yet, it was my family doc who wouldn't prescribe it. I just sent my derm a message. I'm not expecting her to give it, but I'm praying that she will give it to me.

I'm going to ask if there's another derm working at that hospital though.

But so I don't forget to ask this later is consulting with a doctor the only way to get a prescription?

[Mark]

There are 3 other dermatologists in my area.

The problem with consulting with them is that a consultation typically costs around 150 dollars. My insurance only covers consultations I would have at one type of hospital.

So, for those of you who had to see other dermatologists to get Proscar, what did you do exactly? Pay lots of cash just to see what he or she will say? Or did you have multiple kinds of insurances/an insurance that is accepted by a lot of hospitals?

I didn't get the reply from my derm yet, it was my family doc who wouldn't prescribe it. I just sent my derm a message. I'm not expecting her to give it, but I'm praying that she will give it to me.

I'm going to ask if there's another derm working at that hospital though.

But so I don't forget to ask this later is consulting with a doctor the only way to get a prescription?

That's unfortunate to hear. I just spoke with Dr Rassman because it seems so strange to me that a doctor would willingly prescribe 1mg finasteride but not 5mg finasteride for the purpose of economy. He essentially said that it's up to the discretion of the doctor to prescribe how they see fit. Some of them unfortunately are so terribly risk-averse that they're wary to prescribe something for purposes other than what it's expressly made.

I also asked him if he knows any doctors who will do a consult by telephone but he said he didn't. I'm sorry to hear that it costs you so much in consultation costs, but you don't need to go to a dermatologist to get a prescription for Finasteride. If you go to your regular doctor you should be able to just pay your regular copay and they can prescribe finasteride.

You're in the right here. You're perfectly logical, it's just a matter of convincing a doctor of that.

If anyone else on the forums has had a similar experience to GGXX or some advice, pop on in.

-Mark

[Kinky Temples]

Glad to know I'm not an outcast about this..read this gay response from my derm:

"Dr. Chandler has already replied to your request for proscar and I agree with her reply. I empathize with your situation. Unfortunately, I cannot prescribe you proscar for male pattern hair loss and it is not indicated for this purpose. I have also checked with the pharmacy on this and they are in agreement."

What pisses me off is the fact they're both women (Jesus!) and the derm is pathetically ignorant enough that she thinks Propecia is more for frontal baldness rather than at the crown. As for the bold part, lol.

I've schedules with another doc saying he will prescribe finasteride (didn't say proscar) but this was after I confessed to him that I couldn't afford Propecia so I guess he's saying he will prescribe whatever finasteride I want. Hopefully this is the case because I'm going to have to take a day off of work to see the guy.

However I DO happen to have an issue where I have to urinate often (can't hold in my pee at all) and when I do urinate it is in small amounts...in addition to that I have a high libido. These by the way are symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia. Not saying I have BPH but I think this additional info would help somewhat in getting the prescription. What do you think Mark?

[amanrakkar]

Hey GGX, so I've had a hard time even getting a propecia prescription over here in London. I have had real concerns about dedicating my self to propecia. I went through the routine rounds of hyperchondria related to using propecia (ie side effect etc etc). Anyway, I visited a registered trichologist in London, he was a good man, didnt try to sell me anything. Referred me to phone a doctor that had prescribed (and frequently) uses propecia, and after speaking to him at some length, he reassured me as to the use of propecia. This doctor was not local, so i went to my student GP(im still at university) who then went about completely destabilising the enthusiasm i had gathered towards getting on propecia. I reckon she exaggerated the side effects, and future economic strain fin will put on me, hence would not give me my prescription, until i quite literally begged her. Now i'm back where i started, feeling as hesitant and s*** scared about taking it as when i initially enquired. God knows how i would get a proscar prescription from her (yes, another female doc...)

[Kinky Temples]

Yeah, female docs can go to hell. Imagine what their reaction would be if they were balding on top. They'd probably commit suicide over it let alone taking pills that have side effects (I'm serious).

Dude, if you can't even get a Propecia prescription...something is wrong. If there is undeniable evidence that you have some level of miniturization (or hell, if you have any relatives with hair loss) then no one should deny you the medicine, but this brings up a funny issue.

Doctors having full control of whether or not you can obtain a medicine is laughable. You can obtain cough medicine and minoxidil at your store but you can't by Propecia? Dumb...is this because propecia/proscar/avodart are prostate drugs? Give me a break.

If only there was posted proof online that online generics work as effectively as FDA-approved drugs no one would worry about money, but I guess that's like asking if only hair loss was non-existant in humans.

Anyway I'm probably not going to make the appointment with the dude who will most likely give me Proscar because 1. it's a long trip and 2. no one probably could drive me, but I do have an appointment later on with someone else who might give it to me, it depends. I'm waiting for a phone call from her (DAMMIT! Just realized it's another f****** female!). I pray she will give it to me.

[Kinky Temples]

Well I guess this is good news...

Even though I wasn't able to make the appointment today (which I thought I wasn't going to make anyway) I scheduled for the 18th, and hopefully I'll be able to make it. It'll be a 30 minute drive.

I emailed the male doc to confirm if it was Proscar he was willing to prescribe. Guess what I get as a response...

"Yes! We discussed this issue already, and I can prescribe 5 mg proscar which you can cut in quarters. I understand the cost issue."

Proof that female dermatologists can suck my ****.

In the meantime however I will be taking Propecia. I have been on finasteride (4rx.com) for 7-9 months. Didn't notice anything. I plan on taking Propecia for 6 months to see how well I respond to that. Then, I will get on Proscar, and I will determine which is the better depending on cost and effectiveness.

[Bill Walton]

awesome dude! I've been taking proscar for years now and i dig it. I got my prescription from dr rassman after a consultation with him. I'm planing on having a surgery in the future, if the economy doesn't go down the ****ter!

[Kinky Temples]

I once again apologize for my language and behavior...I usually don't get carried away on forums...because I'm usually discussing something other than a personal issue like losing hair.

[Mark]

I once again apologize for my language and behavior...I usually don't get carried away on forums...because I'm usually discussing something other than a personal issue like losing hair.

Don't worry about it. We've got a language filter and I realize that hair loss can be a frustrating thing.

-Mark