Oral Tablets for Hair Fall Control

1. Finasteride (Propecia) — First-line for Men

• Dose: 1 mg/day orally
• Mechanism: Inhibits 5α-reductase type II → reduces dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone that miniaturizes hair follicles
• Efficacy: Slows hair loss and promotes regrowth in ~80% of men; mainly thickens pre-existing hair
• FDA-approved for male androgenetic alopecia
• Key points:
  • Must be taken continuously — stopping causes gradual hair loss, returning to pretreatment state within ~1 year
  • Takes at least 6 months to assess effectiveness
  • Post-finasteride syndrome: a minority of men report persistent sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, erectile dysfunction) and depression — discuss with your doctor
  • Not for women (especially pregnant women — teratogenic)

2. Dutasteride — More Potent Alternative

• Dose: 0.5 mg/day orally
• Mechanism: Inhibits both 5α-reductase type I and II (broader DHT suppression than finasteride)
• Efficacy: More effective than finasteride with a similar safety profile
• Approved in South Korea, Japan, and some other countries for androgenetic alopecia; not FDA-approved for this indication in the US (used off-label)
• A 2025 network meta-analysis (PMID: 40586152) confirms dutasteride outperforms finasteride monotherapy for male pattern hair loss

3. Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil — Effective for Both Men and Women

• Dose: 0.25–2.5 mg/day (men may use up to 5 mg; women typically 0.25–1.25 mg)
• Mechanism: Vasodilator that prolongs the anagen (growth) phase of hair follicles
• Efficacy: Effective and generally well tolerated at low doses; avoids the scalp irritation of topical minoxidil
• Not FDA-approved orally for hair loss (used off-label), but widely accepted in clinical practice
• Side effects: fluid retention, tachycardia, hypertrichosis (unwanted body hair) — dose-dependent
• Stopping causes acute telogen efflux (shedding) 3–4 months after stopping

4. Spironolactone — For Women with Hormonal Hair Loss

• Dose: 50–200 mg/day
• Mechanism: Anti-androgen — blocks androgen receptors at the follicle
• Used in women with androgenetic alopecia or PCOS-related hair thinning
• Not suitable for men (causes gynecomastia and sexual side effects)

Quick Comparison Table

Important Notes

• Diagnosis first: Hair loss can be due to thyroid disease, iron deficiency, nutritional deficiencies, telogen effluvium, or alopecia areata — in those cases, treating the underlying cause is more important than these tablets
• All tablets require continuous use to maintain results
• Always consult a dermatologist before starting — some options have significant side effects or drug interactions

Sources: Goldman-Cecil Medicine; Dermatology 2-Volume Set 5e; Gupta AK et al., J Cosmet Dermatol, 2025 (PMID: 40586152)

Key Nutrients for General Hair Health

Recommended Brand Tablets (Widely Available)

🇮🇳 India (Popular & Accessible)

🌍 International Brands

Most Important Caveat

Supplements only help if you have a deficiency. A 2024 systematic review (PMID: 39440586) found that micronutrient supplementation benefits hair primarily when a deficiency is present — not in people with normal levels.

• Serum ferritin (iron stores)
• Vitamin D (25-OH)
• Thyroid function (TSH)
• Vitamin B12
• CBC (complete blood count)

Bottom Line Recommendation

Keraglo Eva vs Pantogar

Ingredients Comparison

Key Differences

Which Should You Choose?

Pick Pantogar if:

• You have diffuse, uniform thinning across the scalp (telogen effluvium pattern)
• Hair has become structurally weak, brittle, or dull (not just falling more)
• You want the product with the strongest clinical track record
• You're okay with taking 3 capsules a day and the higher cost

Pick Keraglo Eva if:

• You want an affordable, convenient daily tablet
• You may have iron or zinc deficiency contributing to hair loss (it covers those)
• Your blood tests haven't been done and you want broader nutritional coverage
• You're looking for a solid all-rounder at lower cost

Bottom Line

Pantogar has better clinical evidence and a more targeted formula for diffuse hair loss. Keraglo Eva is a better value pick with broader micronutrient coverage, especially useful if iron or zinc deficiency is suspected.

Availability in India

Keraglo Eva — Easier to Find ✅

• Made by Cipla, one of India's largest pharmaceutical companies
• Available at virtually every medical store across India — metros, tier-2, tier-3 cities, and even small towns
• Available on 1mg, PharmEasy, Netmeds, Apollo Pharmacy online
• No prescription needed in most cases
• Price: ~₹400–550 for 30 tablets (roughly ₹15/day)

Pantogar — Available but Less Consistent ⚠️

• Made by Merz Pharma (Germany), imported/distributed in India
• Found in larger city pharmacies and dermatology clinic pharmacies
• Available online on 1mg and PharmEasy, but sometimes out of stock
• May need to order in advance or ask your pharmacist to arrange it
• Price: ~₹900–1,200 for 90 capsules (3 caps/day = 30-day supply, ~₹35/day)

Verdict for India

Keraglo Eva is the more practical choice for most people in India — it's a Cipla product, universally available, affordable, and easy to take (1 tablet/day vs 3 capsules for Pantogar).

• Go to any chemist → ask for Keraglo Eva → you'll get it immediately
• Pantogar → check 1mg/PharmEasy online first before going store to store

Keraglo Eva vs Proanagen

Ingredients Comparison

Key Difference — Procyanidin B2

• Stimulates hair follicle growth at the cellular level
• Has published Japanese clinical studies showing it promotes hair growth comparable to minoxidil in some trials
• Antioxidant — reduces oxidative follicle damage

Head-to-Head

Which to Choose?

Choose Keraglo Eva if:

• You suspect iron or nutritional deficiency (common in Indian women)
• You want the most widely available option at any chemist
• You're on a tighter budget
• Your hair fall is linked to diet, stress, post-pregnancy

Choose Proanagen if:

• Your nutritional levels are reasonably normal (tested)
• You want active follicle stimulation, not just nutritional support
• You're dealing with early androgenetic thinning or poor hair density
• You want something beyond basic vitamins

Bottom Line

If your hair fall is mainly nutritional/deficiency-based → Keraglo Eva. If you want hair regrowth + stimulation on top of nutrition → Proanagen has the edge due to Procyanidin B2.