Brintop F Topical Solution 100ml

Brintop F general information

What is Brintop F used for?

Brintop F Topical Solution is a topical treatment for androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness.  Brintop F is used to stabilise hair loss in men, by increasing hair growth and preventing further hair loss from all areas of the scalp, including the front.  This can reverse balding in men with mild to moderate hair loss but does not restore hair that has been lost for a long time and is most effective where hair loss has just started or is recent and there are smaller areas of hair loss of the vertex.  Brintop F Topical Solution is not suitable for use by women with female pattern baldness. 

How does Brintop F work?

Brintop F Topical Solution contains minoxidil and finasteride that are used in combination to help prevent further hair loss in men with androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness.  Hair loss is due to shrinking hair follicles that gradually produce smaller and thinner hairs, which eventually do not emerge from the follicle.  The longer hair follicles are inactive the harder it is for them to respond and begin new growth.  Minoxidil in Brintop F is a vasodilator (dilates or widens blood vessels) and is thought to directly stimulate hair follicles to grow by increasing blood flow in the scalp and enhancing cell proliferation in hair follicles that were in resting phase.  Another possible mechanism is that minoxidil in Brintop F stimulates active growth of hair, which prolongs active growth phase (anagen) and prevents hair growth entering the resting phase (telogen) too early.  Minoxidil in Brintop F Topical Solution also increases the size of the hair follicle.  Finasteride in Brintop F specifically inhibits the action of the enzyme type II 5α-reductase that converts the male hormone testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the androgen primarily responsible for development and growth of the prostate gland.  DHT, which is also found in hair follicles, is the androgen responsible for hair loss.  Finasteride in Brintop F reverses the balding process as it blocks the build-up of DHT in the hair follicles of the scalp, allowing the hair to grow normally.  Working in combination, minoxidil helps improve absorption of finasteride, which is usually taken orally^{1, 2}.

What does Brintop F contain?

Brintop F Topical Solution contains the active ingredients minoxidil 5% and finasteride 1% that work together by different mechanisms to prevent hair loss in men with androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness.

Treating hair loss with Brintop F

Brintop F Topical Solution contains minoxidil and finesteride, finasteride that are used in combination to help prevent further hair loss and reverse the balding process in men with androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness.  Hair loss is due to shrinking hair follicles that gradually produce smaller and thinner hairs, which eventually do not emerge from the follicle.  The longer hair follicles are inactive the harder it is for them to respond and begin new growth.  Minoxidil in Brintop F is a vasodilator that dilates and widens blood vessels increasing blood flow to hair follicles and stimulates hair growth.  Finasteride in Brintop F specifically inhibits the action of the enzyme type II 5α-reductase that converts the male hormone testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the androgen primarily responsible for development and growth of the prostate gland; also for hair loss.  Finasteride in Brintop F blocks the build-up of DHT in the hair follicles of the scalp, allowing the hair to grow normally.  Brintop F Topical Solution will stabilise hair loss, by increasing hair growth and preventing further hair loss from all areas of the scalp, including the front. 

What are the side effects of Brintop F?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Brintop F Topical Solution include local irritation at the site of application including redness, dry skin, itching, burning sensation, scalp flaking and rash.  Hair colour or texture may be altered with increased hair loss at first as old hairs make way for new hairs, also contact of Brintop F with other areas such as the forehead may cause hypertrichosis or unwanted hair growth.  Side effects due to finasteride include temporary impotence (whilst continuing on treatment) erectile dysfunction and low libido. 

When should Brintop F not be used?

You should not use Brintop F Topical Solution if you:

• are allergic to minoxidil or finesteride or any ingredients in Brintop F
• are a woman, Brintop F is not intended for use by women and can be harmful to an unborn child
• do not have a family history of hair loss
• have inflamed, irritated, infected or painful scalp, including sunburn and psoriasis
• have hypertension (high blood pressure)
• have cardiovascular disease without discussion with your doctor
• are taking medicines that interact with Brintop F including other topical medications like tretinoin for acne, anthralin and dithranol for psoriasis

How should Brintop F be used?

You should apply your Brintop F Topical Solution twice a day, morning and evening, when the hair and scalp are clean and dry, to the areas of your scalp where you are losing hair.  Apply to the centre of the affected area and spread the solution gently over the skin to cover all the affected area.  Allow the solution to dry for 4 hours before washing or leave to dry for 2-4 hours before going to bed.  Wash your hands with soap and water immediately after use; ensure that you only apply your Brintop F Topical Solution lotion to the scalp, to prevent unwanted hair growth on other parts of the body.  Apply Brintop F only to areas of scalp that are healthy and where the skin is not broken.  You should use your Brintop F Topical Solution continuously and new hair growth will be seen after 2-3 months.  If you stop using Brintop F Topical Solution the new growth will stop and you will lose the new hair.

How long should you take Brintop F?

You should use your Brintop F Topical Solution continuously and new hair growth will be seen after 2-3 months.  If you stop using Brintop F the new growth will stop and you will lose the new hair.

Missed dose of Brintop F

If you miss a dose of Brintop F Topical Solution apply it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to apply the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not apply a double dose.

How should Brintop F be stored?

You should store your Brintop F Topical Solution below 25°C in a cool dry place and protect from light. 

References

1. Chandrashekar BS, Nandhini T, Vasanth V, Sriram R, Navale S. Topical minoxidil fortified with finasteride: An account of maintenance of hair density after replacing oral finasteride. Indian Dermatol Online J 2015 Jan-Feb;6(1):17-20.
2. Caserini M, Radicioni M, Leuratti C, Annoni O, Palmieri R. A novel finasteride 0.25% topical solution for androgenetic alopecia: pharmacokinetics and effects on plasma androgen levels in healthy male volunteers. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 2014 Oct;52(10):842-9.