Finasteride

Generic name: Finasteride
Dosage form: oral tablet (1 mg; 5 mg)
Drug class: 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors

Usage of Finasteride

Finasteride is used alone or with other medication to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with enlarged prostate.

Finasteride is also used to treat male pattern hair loss in men.

finasteride is for use in men only.

Finasteride may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Finasteride side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you notice any signs of male breast cancer, such as:

  • breast pain or lumps;
  • nipple discharge; or
  • any other breast changes.

    • Tell your doctor right away if you have:

  • blood in your semen;
  • pain in your testicles; or
  • depression.

    • It may be harder for you to get a woman pregnant while you are using finasteride.

    Common side effects of finasteride may include:

  • decreased interest in sex;
  • trouble getting or keeping an erection;
  • trouble having an orgasm;
  • abnormal ejaculation; or
  • breast swelling or tenderness.

    • The sexual side effects of finasteride may continue after you stop taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about these side effects.

    This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

    Before taking Finasteride

    You should not use finasteride if you are allergic to it.

    Using finasteride may increase your risk of developing a serious form of prostate cancer. Ask your doctor about this risk.

    Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • prostate cancer; or
  • liver disease or abnormal liver function tests.

    • finasteride should never be taken by a woman or a child.

    Finasteride can cause birth defects if a woman is exposed to it during pregnancy. A broken finasteride tablet should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or may become pregnant. The medicine from a broken tablet could be absorbed through the skin.

    If a woman accidentally comes into contact with a broken or crushed tablet, wash the area with soap and water right away.

    Relate drugs

    How to use Finasteride

    Usual Adult Dose for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia:

    5 mg orally once a day Comments:-Dosing is the same both in monotherapy and in combination therapy.

    Usual Adult Dose for Androgenetic Alopecia:

    1 mg orally once a day For the treatment of male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in men only. (Safety and efficacy have been demonstrated in men between 18 to 41 years of age with mild to moderate hair loss of the vertex and anterior mid scalp area):Comments:-Daily use for 3 months or more is necessary before benefit is observed. Continued use is recommended to sustain benefit. -Withdrawal of treatment leads to reversal of effect within 12 months.Use: For the treatment of male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in men only. (Safety and efficacy have been demonstrated in men between 18 to 41 years of age with mild to moderate hair loss of the vertex and anterior mid scalp area).

    Warnings

    Finasteride should never be taken by a woman or a child.

    What other drugs will affect Finasteride

    Other drugs may affect finasteride, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

    Disclaimer

    Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

    The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

    Popular Keywords