Finasteride (1 mg and 5 mg) Oral tablets are used for?
- Finasteride belongs to the group of medicines called enzyme inhibitors. Finasteride medication is used to treat male pattern baldness, Benign prostatic hyperplasia therapy agent; hair growth stimulant, alopecia androgenetica (systemic) over the head and in the middle of the scalp. Finasteride should be used by adult men only.
- Finasteride medication is available as 5 mg and 1 mg tablets form; it works by decreasing the amount of a natural body hormone (DHT). Decreasing the amount of DHT leads to increased hair regrowth and slower hair loss. Hair growth on other parts of the body is not affected by finasteride.
Note:- Women and children should not use this medication.
- Finasteride is also used to treat urinary problems caused by enlargement of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). In men with much enlarged prostates and mild to moderate symptoms (difficulty urinating, decreased flow of urination, hesitation at the beginning of urination, getting up at night to urinate), finasteride may decrease the severity of symptoms. Finasteride may also reduce the chance that surgery on the prostate will be needed.
- Finasteride blocks an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase, which is necessary to change testosterone to another hormone that causes the prostate to grow. As a result, the size of the prostate is decreased. The effect of finasteride on the prostate lasts only as long as the medicine is taken. If it is stopped, the prostate begins to grow again.
- Finasteride also is used by some balding men to stimulate hair growth. If hair growth is going to occur with the use of finasteride, it usually occurs after the medicine has been used for about 3 months and lasts only as long as the medicine continues to be used. The new hair will be lost within 1 year after finasteride treatment is stopped.
Finasteride Drug Class and Mechanism
- Finasteride belongs to the class of testosterone-5-alpha reductase inhibitors. Used in the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy.
- Finasteride belongs to the class of other dermatologicals. Used in the treatment of dermatological diseases.
- Finasteride is a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme 5-a reductase which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), thus resulting in decreased serum levels of DHT.
For individuals taking Finasteride (1 mg and 5 mg) medicine for Hair Growth:
- You may have to take this medicine for at least 3 months to see an effect.
- The effect will last only as long as the medicine continues to be used.
- The new hair will be lost within 1 year after finasteride is stopped.
For patients taking Finasteride (1 mg and 5 mg) medicine for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH):
- Remember that Finasteride medicine does not cure BPH but it does help reduce the size of the prostate. Therefore, you must continue to take it if you expect to keep the size of your prostate down.
- To help you remember to take your medicine, try to get into the habit of taking it at the same time each day.
- Take Finasteride medicine for at least 6 months to see the full effect.
- You may have to take this medicine for the rest of your life.
- Do not stop taking Finasteride medicine without first discussing it with your doctor.
- Finasteride medicine helps to reduce urinary problems in men with BPH. In general, it is best to avoid drinking fluids, especially coffee or alcohol, in the evening. Then your sleep will not be disturbed by your need to urinate during the night.
Finasteride Dosing?
The dose of finasteride will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average dose of finasteride. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so:
For Oral dosage form (tablets):
For treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): Adults:- 5 milligrams (mg) once a day.
For Hair growth:
For SYMPTOMATIC BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA
Adult: 5 mg once daily for 6-12 mth of therapy; may be necessary in some patients before a beneficial effect is seen.
For TREATMENT OF MALE PATTERN BALDNESS
Adult: 1 mg once daily.
- Take Finasteride by mouth with or without food.
- Continue to take Finasteride even if you notice improvement of your symptoms. Do not miss any doses.
- Taking Finasteride at the same time each day will help your remember to take it.
- If you miss a dose of Finasteride , skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
- Do not take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.
- If your symptoms do not improve within 12 months, check with your doctor. You may need to discuss other treatment options.
- Infrequently, Finasteride may cause decreased sexual desire or ability. These effects usually decrease in men who continue to take Finasteride . If they continue or become bothersome, check with your doctor.
If you miss the Dosage of Finasteride?
- If you miss a dose of Finasteride medicine, take it as soon as possible.
- However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
- Do not double doses.
Finasteride Storage?
- To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using Finasteride Medicine?
- Women who are or who may become pregnant should not take finasteride tablets. There is a risk that the medicine could get into the pregnant woman's body and cause birth defects in a male fetus.
- Finasteride should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING: Finasteride may cause harm to the fetus. It is not known if Finasteride is found in breast milk. Finasteride is not approved for use in women.
Side Effects of Finasteride Medicine?
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
- Breast enlargement and tenderness; skin rash; swelling of lips
Note: Breast enlargement and tenderness, skin rash and swelling of lips are more likely to occur with the 5 mg dose.
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. The following side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
Less common or rare
- Abdominal pain; back pain; decreased libido (decreased interest in sex); decreased volume of ejaculate (decreased amount of semen); diarrhea; dizziness; headache; impotence (inability to have or keep an erection)
Note: A decrease in the amount of semen during ejaculation should not affect your sexual performance and is not a sign of any change in fertility.
Incidence Unknown
- Testicular pain
- Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Do NOT use Finasteride if:
- You are allergic to any ingredient in Finasteride
- You are pregnant or may become pregnant
- Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Finasteride:
- Some medical conditions may interact with Finasteride . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- If you are planning to become pregnant or are breast-feeding
- If you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- If you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- If you have a narrowing or blockage in the urinary tract, prostate cancer, or trouble urinating
- If you have a history of abnormal liver function tests or liver problems
- Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Finasteride . However, no specific interactions with Finasteride are known at this time.
- Ask your health care provider if Finasteride may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
Finasteride General information:
- If you have any questions about Finasteride , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Finasteride is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Finasteride. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider. |
Sexual Health
