Finasteride

Conditions Treated

Finasteride (Proscar) is used alone or in combination with another medication (doxazosin [Cardura]) to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH, enlargement of the prostate gland). Finasteride improves symptoms of BPH such as frequent and difficult urination and may reduce the chance of acute urinary retention (suddenly being unable to pass urine). It also may decrease the chance of needing prostate surgery. Finasteride (Propecia) is also used to treat male pattern hair loss (a common condition in which men have gradual thinning of the hair on the scalp, leading to a receding hairline or balding on the top of the head.) Finasteride (Propecia) has not been shown to treat thinning hair at the temples and is not used to treat hair loss in women or children. Finasteride is in a class of medications called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. Finasteride treats BPH by blocking the body's production of a male hormone that causes the prostate to enlarge. Finasteride treats male pattern hair loss by blocking the body's production of a male hormone in the scalp that stops hair growth.

Possible Side Effects

What Side Effects Can This Cause?

Finasteride may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• inability to have or maintain an erection
• decreased sexual desire
• decreased volume of ejaculate (amount of semen)
• pain in the testicles

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• changes in the breasts such as increased size, lumps, pain, or nipple discharge
• rash
• itching
• hives
• swelling of the lips and face

Finasteride may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Usage Instructions

How Should This Medication Be Used

Finasteride comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. Take finasteride at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take finasteride exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. If you are taking finasteride to treat BPH, you should know that finasteride controls your condition, but does not cure it. It may take at least 6 months before your symptoms improve. Continue to take finasteride even if you feel well. Do not stop taking finasteride without talking to your doctor. If you are taking finasteride to treat male pattern hair loss, you should know that finasteride controls hair loss, but does not cure it. It may take at least 3 months before you see any benefit. Continue to take finasteride even if you have already seen an effect. Do not stop taking finasteride without talking to your doctor. If you stop taking finasteride, you will probably lose the hair you have regrown within 12 months of stopping your treatment. If you are taking finasteride to treat male pattern hair loss and have not seen any improvement within 12 months, further treatment will probably not help. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue your treatment. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

Are There Any Special Instructions

Before taking finasteride, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to finasteride or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease.