Locklab Custom Rx

Important drug information and warnings

Locklab Custom RX offers the best in hair regrowth science, tailor-made for you.

Oral Dutasteride

About this medicine

ORAL DUTASTERIDE (0.1MG) is a prescription medication that works by blocking both Type I and Type II 5-alpha reductase enzymes, helping reduce dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for shrinking hair follicles. Dutasteride is FDA-approved at higher doses (0.5mg) for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), but lower doses like 0.1mg are sometimes prescribed off-label to treat male pattern baldness.

Who should not take this medicine?

This medicine is for men and women who are not and cannot get pregnant (post-menopausal, etc.). Dutasteride can affect hormone levels so it is important that women who are pregnant or could become pregnant don't handle it, as it can lead to complications with pregnancy.

If you have the following conditions, do not take this medication before informing your doctor:

  • Liver disease or problems
  • Kidney problems
  • Prostate cancer
  • You are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
  • You are breastfeeding

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to dutasteride (including Avodart®).

Potential side effects

At the low dose of 0.1mg, the risk of side effects is lower than at higher doses, but similar types of side effects may still occur. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

  • Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat (signs of an allergic reaction)
  • Breast tenderness, swelling, or nipple discharge
  • Pain in the testicles
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Rash or itching (allergic reaction—rare)
  • Dizziness

Sexual side effects (less likely at 0.1MG but still possible):

  • Decreased libido
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Decreased semen volume
  • Decreased sperm count

Other less common side effects

Gynecomastia (breast tissue enlargement) is very rare, but may occur because of the increase in testosterone from dutasteride. Here is an explanation: Dutasteride allows you to keep more testosterone by stopping it from converting into DHT. This increase in testosterone always also increases estrogen in every man because a small amount of testosterone always aromatises into (converts into) estrogen— this is the same thing that happens if you get testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). For most men, increasing testosterone is a good thing, but in very rare cases, doctors suggest that process tips the scales towards “excess” estrogen, which can cause gynecomastia.

Other considerations

The typical dose of dutasteride in Locklab is 0.1MG, which is specifically designed to be a safer dose. This is especially important because we don’t have as much definitive research on the side effects of dutasteride compared to the other hair loss treatments Locklab offers.

Dutasteride’s potential adverse effects can be dose-dependent. Studies on a higher dose of dutasteride (0.5MG) have found more potential negative effects on the liver, nervous system, and sexual function (primarily a reduction in sperm), compared to Finasteride (which has a very good safety profile).

  • Dutasteride has a long half-life (about 5 weeks).
  • Dutasteride may lower PSA levels, potentially affecting prostate cancer screening results. Inform your doctor before any PSA tests.
  • When trying to conceive, dutasteride is considered safe for men to take; however, if you are having trouble conceiving, talk to your doctor about temporarily stopping dutasteride due to the possibility of a reduction in sperm count.

This list may not describe all possible side effects of finasteride. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate help in-person. For more information, message your Locklab Provider or contact your doctor if you have additional questions about side effects.

Oral Biotin

About this supplement

BIOTIN is a B vitamin essential for metabolism that is often used to support healthy hair, skin, and nails.

Potential side effects

Biotin is a vitamin naturally found in food and as such does not generally interact with other medications. However, it's advisable to have a conversation with your healthcare provider before introducing any new supplements. Seeking guidance from a medical professional ensures a thoughtful approach to incorporating dietary enhancements into your daily routine, prioritizing your health and well-being.

This list may not describe all possible side effects of biotin. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate help in-person. For more information, message your Locklab Provider or contact your doctor if you have additional questions about side effects.

Oral Minoxidil

About this medicine

ORAL MINOXIDIL is a prescription medication proven in decades of clinical trials to stimulate hair growth. It is generally considered that the higher the dose, the greater the clinical effect; however, it is important not to take more than your healthcare provider has prescribed to you. Ask your healthcare provider or Locklab Provider if you have any questions.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking oral minoxidil?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • Low blood pressure (hypotension)
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Heart disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Pheochromocytoma
  • Currently taking a medication called guanethidine
  • Sudden or patchy hair loss
  • Unknown reason for hair loss
  • An unusual or allergic reaction to minoxidil or any components of the medication
  • Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
  • Breast-feeding

What may interact with this medicine?

Minoxidil is contraindicated in patients who are currently taking guanethidine.

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your healthcare provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also, tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

Potential side effects

Side effects that you should immediately report to your doctor or health care professional:

  • Lightheadedness, dizziness, racing or irregular heartbeat
  • New or worsening chest, arm, or shoulder pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Rapid weight gain, or swelling in the hands, legs, or feet
  • There is a rare chance of pericardial effusion (fluid around the heart). There are no known reports of anyone without a pre-existing condition having long term harm from taking oral minoxidil for hair loss.

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Unusual hair growth, on the face and/or body

This list may not describe all possible side effects of minoxidil. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate help in-person. For more information, message your Locklab Provider or contact your doctor if you have additional questions about side effects.

Oral Finasteride

About this medicine

FINASTERIDE is used to treat male pattern baldness. All FDA trials cited are on 1mg of finasteride (Propecia®), while Locklab contains 1.1mg of finasteride. Ask your healthcare provider or Locklab Provider if you have any questions.

Who should not take this medicine?

This medicine is for men and women who are not and cannot get pregnant (post-menopausal, etc.). Finasteride can affect hormone levels so it is important that women who are pregnant or could become pregnant don't handle it, as it can lead to complications with pregnancy.

If you have the following conditions, do not take this medication before informing your doctor:

  • Liver disease or problems
  • Kidney problems
  • Prostate cancer
  • You are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
  • You are breastfeeding

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to finasteride (including Proscar® and Propecia®).

Potential side effects

Although unlikely, finasteride may cause side effects. Contact your doctor or a health care professional immediately if you experience any of the following:

  • Signs of serious allergic reactions like skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, extreme dizziness, difficulty breathing
  • Swelling or tenderness in the breasts or pain or fluids leaking from the nipple
  • Pain in the testicles
  • Inability to urinate
  • Depression (​Currently, there are no double-blind, placebo-controlled trials that have conclusively demonstrated depression as a side effect of finasteride, but it has been self-reported by patients)

Some studies also suggest a minor link between finasteride 1mg and sexually adverse effects, while others find no connection. In three FDA-controlled clinical trials on Propecia® lasting 12 months, 1.6% of men on a placebo discontinued use due to adverse effects, compared to 1.4% of those taking finasteride. This means more men in the placebo group reported adverse effects than those taking the drug.

Potential sexually adverse effects:

  • Decreased libido
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Lower volume of ejaculate (prostatic fluid, not sperm count)

All controlled clinical trials show that sexually adverse effects go away after stopping treatment. Some men report persistent sexual dysfunction, although, persistent sexual dysfunction can also be found in men not taking finasteride (even for 10+ years), and no causal link between persistent sexual dysfunction and finasteride has been found in any double blind placebo controlled trial.

0.3%: In FDA trials on Propecia, 3.8% of male patients noticed some form of sexual side effects (versus 2.1% of patients taking the placebo). Importantly, only 1.2% of men taking finasteride actually stopped treatment (versus 0.9% of the placebo group) since the majority of side effects resolve themselves. So if the same percentage of men in the finasteride group also incorrectly attributed side effects to finasteride, then the total proportion of men who stopped treatment would be 0.3%.

This list may not describe all possible side effects of finasteride. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate help in-person. For more information, message your Locklab Provider or contact your doctor if you have additional questions about side effects.