FINASTERIDE - ORAL

FINASTERIDE - ORAL

PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION: (fin-AS-ter-ide)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Proscar

GENERIC NAME(S): finasteride

Uses

USES: Finasteride is used to shrink an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) in adult men. It may be used alone or taken in combination with other medications to reduce symptoms of BPH and may also reduce the need for surgery. Finasteride may improve symptoms of BPH and provide benefits such as decreased urge to urinate, better urine flow with less straining, less of a feeling that the bladder is not completely emptied, and decreased nighttime urination. This medication works by decreasing the amount of a natural body hormone (DHT) that causes growth of the prostate. Finasteride is not approved for prevention of prostate cancer. It may slightly increase the risk of developing a very serious form of prostate cancer. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks. Women and children should not use this medication.


How to use FINASTERIDE - ORAL

HOW TO USE: Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking finasteride and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Take this medication by mouth, with or without food, usually once a day, or as directed by your doctor. If the tablet is crushed or broken, it should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or by a woman who may become pregnant (see also Precautions section). Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time each day. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. It may take 6-12 months to notice a benefit. Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS: Decreased sexual ability/desire may occur. In some men, this medication can decrease the amount of semen released during sex. This is harmless, but has continued in some men even after stopping treatment. Finasteride may also increase hair growth. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: lump in the breast, nipple discharge, breast enlargement/tenderness/pain, pain in the testicles, inability to urinate. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

PRECAUTIONS: Before taking finasteride, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, prostate cancer, infections, urinary problems. Finasteride should not be used in children. The drug can be absorbed through the skin. If the film coating of the tablet has been broken or the tablet crushed, it should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Exposing a developing male infant to finasteride can result in abnormalities of the genitals. Finasteride should not be used in women, especially during pregnancy or breast-feeding. It may harm an unborn or breast-feeding baby. Consult your doctor if you have any questions about this medication.

Interactions

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use. This medication can affect the results of the blood test used to detect prostate cancer (prostatic-specific antigen or PSA levels). Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this drug. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Overdose

OVERDOSE: If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Images

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FINASTERIDE 5 MG TABLET

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Faq for FINASTERIDE - ORAL

Finasteride is an oral medication that is commonly used to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) and male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia).

Finasteride works by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that contributes to prostate enlargement and hair loss. By reducing DHT levels, finasteride helps to decrease the size of the prostate and promote hair growth.

Some common side effects of finasteride include decreased sexual desire, difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection, and decreased semen volume. However, these side effects are usually mild and temporary.

Although rare, finasteride may have serious side effects such as allergic reactions (e.g., rash, itching, swelling of the face/lips/tongue), breast lumps, nipple discharge, and depression. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

No, finasteride is not recommended for use in women, especially those who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. The medication may cause harm to the fetus, so women should not handle crushed or broken tablets.

In the case of BPH, it may take up to 6 months to notice significant improvements in urinary symptoms. For male pattern hair loss, it may take at least 3 months to see visible regrowth.

If you experience side effects while taking finasteride, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your medication regimen. They can guide you on whether to continue or stop the medication based on your specific situation.

While finasteride is not approved as a treatment for preventing prostate cancer, it has been found to reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer in some studies. However, the decision to use finasteride for this purpose should be made after discussing the potential benefits and risks with a healthcare provider.

Before taking any additional medications, including over-the-counter drugs or herbal supplements, it is important to inform your healthcare provider about your use of finasteride. Certain medications may interact with finasteride, potentially affecting its effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects.



Disclaimer

IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.