Finasteride propecia drug information

Propecia is a prescription medication used to treat male pattern baldness. This is the most common type of male hair loss, affecting 95% of all men who are suffering from hair loss. Around 25% of men will start losing their hair by the time that they are 30 and two thirds will be bald by the time that they celebrate their 60th birthday! Male pattern baldness begins either at the crown of the head with a bald spot or at the hairline as the hair recedes. This type of hair loss appears to be hereditary and it is likely caused by dihydratestosterone, or DHT, a naturally occurring hormone. DHT shrinks hair follicles, which causes them to stop producing viable hairs.

Propecia (or finasteride to give it its technical name) stops the formation of DHT in the scalp by stopping testosterone from converting into DHT. Since DHT shrinks the hair follicles, which scientists believe causes male pattern baldness, this can stop the hair follicles from shrinking any farther. Also, Propecia seems to help some of those with existing baldness to grow back the hair that they have lost. Clinical studies have shown that the medication reduces DHT levels by around 60% in most patients.

When Propecia was in clinical trials, 90% of the men who were tested saw visible results, either in the cessation of hair loss or the re-growth of hair. Nearly half of the men in the study had visible hair re-growth as reported through self-examination. However, over 65% of the men in the study had hair re-growth when the hair was counted using a hair count per square inch measurement by healthcare professionals assisting with the clinical trial.

This medication does not work on all types of hair loss. It works only on the hair on the back of the head and in the middle of the front portion of the head. Men who are losing hair from the temples saw no significant change in their hair loss when taking finasteride.

Propecia works in line with the normal growth and shedding phase of hair growth. The hair-loss stops after about three months in most patients. If a patients ceases treatment after having had initial success he will find that his hair loss will revert to its former pattern within a year of stopping treatment. Finasteride is a prescription medication so if you think that it is the right answer to your hair loss problem you should make an appointment to talk to your doctor.

Finasteride should not be used by women. The medication is designed to work with the male hormone testosterone, so it has little to no effect on the hair loss women experience. Also, this medication is extremely dangerous for women who are pregnant or could become pregnant because the active ingredient in Propecia can cause birth defects in male babies. Women should not handle the tablets if they have been crushed or broken as this could cause them to absorb some of the active ingredient through the skin. Men rarely suffer from side effects but there are recognised side effects, as with all medications. Less than 2% of patients taking the medication reported sexual side effects, such as impotence or lack of libido. Those who suffer side effects normally continue with the treatment and the side effects generally subside with time. For those who discontinue the treatment, the side effects are temporary and disappear within a few weeks of having stopped taking the medication. As losing your hair can be one of the most stressful experiences that a man can face, most men who are losing their hair are prepared to take a risk on the potential side effects given the substantial benefits of Propecia and the relatively low level of side effect occurrence.

Propecia and Proscar are most effective medicines against prostatic hyperplasia and hair loss.

Propecia and Proscar are similar medicines - generic name is Finasteride.

Finasteride prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. DHT is involved in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and hair loss.

Finasteride is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate) and to reduce hair loss due to male baldness.

*** Important facts about Propecia

Propecia is NOT for use by women. If taken during pregnancy, it can cause abnormal development of a male baby’s genital organs.

Propecia is a remedy for baldness in men with mild to moderate hair loss on the top of the head and the front of the mid-scalp area. It increases hair growth, improves hair regrowth, and slows down hair loss. It works only on scalp hair and does not affect hair on other parts of the body.

You may begin to see improvement as early as 3 months after you begin taking Propecia, but for many men it takes longer. The improvement lasts only as long as you take the drug; if you stop, new hair growth will cease and hair loss will resume.

Propecia is a low-dose form of Proscar, a drug prescribed for prostate enlargement.

How to take Propecia?

For maximum benefit, take Propecia regularly once a day. It can be taken with or without food.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.

* Storage instructions

Store at room temperature in a closed container away from moisture.

* Propecia side effects

Propecia’s side effects are primarily sexual, and relatively uncommon–they strike one or two men in a hundred. If any side effects develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Propecia.

* Side effects may include:

Breast tenderness and enlargement, decreased amount of semen per ejaculation, decreased sex drive, impotence, itching, rash, swelling, testicular pain.

Due to the drug’s effect on male babies, women should avoid Propecia if there is any chance that they may be pregnant.

Do not use Propecia if it gives you an allergic reaction, or if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to its chemical twin, Proscar.

If there’s even a possibility that they’re pregnant, women should avoid handling a crushed or broken Propecia tablet for fear of absorbing some of the active ingredient through the skin. Whole tablets are safe to handle thanks to a protective outer coating.

Avoid even touching the active ingredient in Propecia if there’s a chance that you’re pregnant. Use Propecia with caution if you have liver problems.

Propecia lowers readings of the PSA screening test for prostate cancer. If you’re scheduled to have your PSA level checked, make sure the doctor knows you’re taking Propecia.

*** Important facts about Proscar

Proscar is prescribed to help shrink an enlarged prostate. Some doctors are also prescribing Proscar for baldness and as a preventive measure against prostate cancer.

The prostate, a chestnut-shaped gland present in males, produces a liquid that forms part of the semen. This gland completely encloses the upper part of the urethra, the tube through which urine flows out of the bladder. Many men over age 50 suffer from a benign (noncancerous) enlargement of the prostate.

The enlarged gland squeezes the urethra, obstructing the normal flow of urine. Resulting problems may include difficulty in starting urination, weak flow of urine, and the need to urinate urgently or frequently. Sometimes surgical removal of the prostate is necessary.

By shrinking the enlarged prostate, Proscar may alleviate the various associated urinary problems, making surgery unnecessary.

Different men have different responses to Proscar:

You may experience early relief from your urinary problems. You may need to take the drug for 6 months or even a year before noticing any improvement. Or you may find that, even after a year of treatment, Proscar simply has not helped you.

You may take Proscar either with a meal or between meals.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take 2 doses at the same time.

* Storage instructions…

Store at room temperature in a tightly closed container. Protect from light.

* Proscar side effects

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Proscar.

* Side effects may include:

Decreased amount of semen per ejaculation, decreased sex drive, impotence.

Benign enlargement of the prostate is not the only condition that can cause male urinary inefficiency and discomfort. Other possibilities include infection, obstruction, cancer of the prostate, and bladder disorders. Before prescribing Proscar, your doctor will want to do various tests to determine the cause of your urinary problems.

Even if Proscar does relieve your urinary symptoms, periodic checkups are necessary to test for possible development of cancer of the prostate. Proscar is not an effective treatment for prostate cancer.

* Possible food and drug interactions when taking Propecia and Proscar - no significant drug interactions have been reported.

* Recommended dosage for Propecia and Proscar - Adult men.

* Overdosage

Although no specific information is available on Propecia and Proscar overdose, any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences.