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Propecia prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body.
Propecia is used for the treatment of male pattern hair loss on the vertex and the anterior mid-scalp area. Male pattern hair loss is a common condition in which men experience thinning of the hair on the scalp. Often, this results in a receding hairline and/or balding on the top of the head. Propecia is for use by men only and should not be used by women or children.
Propecia may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Propecia should never be taken by a woman or a child. Finasteride can be absorbed through the skin, and women or children should not be permitted to handle Propecia tablets.
Although Propecia is not for use by women, this medication can cause birth defects if a woman is exposed to it during pregnancy. Propecia tablets should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or who may become pregnant. Propecia tablets are coated and will prevent contact with the active ingredient during normal handling, provided that the tablets are not broken or crushed. If a woman accidentally comes into contact with this medication from a broken or crushed tablet, wash the area with soap and water right away.
Before taking Propecia, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to finasteride, or to a similar medicine called dutasteride (Avodart).
Using Propecia may increase your risk of developing prostate cancer. Your doctor will perform tests to make sure you do not have other conditions that would prevent you from safely using Propecia.
Call your doctor at once if you notice any breast lumps, pain, nipple discharge, or other breast changes. These may be signs of male breast cancer.
Propecia should never be taken by a woman or a child. Finasteride can be absorbed through the skin, and women or children should not be permitted to handle finasteride tablets,
To make sure you can safely take Propecia, tell your doctor if you have any ever had:
liver disease, or abnormal liver function tests;
prostate cancer;
a bladder muscle disorder;
stricture of your urethra;
urination problems; or
an allergic reaction to a similar medicine called dutasteride (Avodart).
Using Propecia may increase your risk of developing prostate cancer. Your doctor will perform tests to make sure you do not have other conditions that would prevent you from safely using finasteride.
Although Propecia is not for use by women, this medication can cause birth defects if a woman is exposed to it during pregnancy. Propecia tablets should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or who may become pregnant. Propecia tablets are coated and will prevent contact with the active ingredient during normal handling, provided that the tablets are not broken or crushed. If a woman accidentally comes into contact with this medication from a broken or crushed tablet, wash the area with soap and water right away.
Take Propecia exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water.
Propecia can be taken with or without food. Take the medicine at the same time each day.
It is important to use Propecia regularly to get the most benefit. You may need to take Propecia daily for three months or more before you see a benefit. Propecia can only work over the long term if you continue taking it. If the drug has not worked for you in twelve months, further treatment is unlikely to be of benefit. If you stop taking Propecia, you will likely lose the hair you have gained within 12 months of stopping treatment. You should discuss this with your doctor.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested often. Your doctor will also test your prostate specific antigen (PSA) to check for prostate cancer. Visit your doctor regularly.
Store Propecia at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of Propecia is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these 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 breast lumps, pain, nipple discharge, or other breast changes. These may be signs of male breast cancer.
Less serious Propecia side effects may include:
impotence, loss of interest in sex, or trouble having an orgasm;
abnormal ejaculation;
swelling in your hands or feet;
swelling or tenderness in your breasts;
dizziness, weakness;
feeling like you might pass out;
headache;
runny nose; or
skin rash.
The sexual side effects of Propecia (decreased libido, trouble having an erection, ejaculation problems) may continue after you stop taking this medication. 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.
There may be other drugs that can interact with Propecia. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com Propecia (www.drugs.com/propecia.html).
Note: This document contains side effect information about finasteride. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Propecia.
More frequent side effects include: impotence and decreased libido. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Applies to finasteride: oral tablet
Along with its needed effects, finasteride (the active ingredient contained in Propecia) 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 immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking finasteride:
More common
Less common
Incidence not known
Some side effects of finasteride may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Less common
Less common or rare
Incidence not known
Applies to finasteride: oral tablet
Most men were older and were taking concomitant medications and/or had comorbid conditions:
Very common (10% or more): Impotence (up to 18.5%)
Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal ejaculation, decreased ejaculatory volume, abnormal sexual function, gynecomastia, erectile dysfunction, ejaculation disorder, testicular pain, male infertility and/or poor seminal quality
Two hundred fourteen reports of gynecomastia in men taking finasteride in the United States were received by the FDA between June 1992 and February 1995. Among those reported, fifty eight percent were taking additional medications that have been associated with gynecomastia. Sixty nine of 86 patients who discontinued finasteride treatment had partial or complete remission.
New reports of drug-related sexual adverse experiences have been reported to decrease with duration of therapy.
Erectile dysfunction has been reported to continue beyond treatment discontinuation. Normalization or improvement of seminal quality has been reported after withdrawing finasteride treatment.
Finasteride may cause a decrease in PSA levels in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia as well as in patients with prostate cancer. In one study, mean PSA reductions of 50% were noted, regardless of baseline levels. There was no indication that PSA levels were further suppressed in patients with prostate cancer.
PSA levels are commonly used in the screening process for prostate cancer. Patients who develop sustained increases in PSA while on finasteride (the active ingredient contained in Propecia) therapy should be carefully evaluated for medical causes as well as noncompliance.
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Breast tenderness, breast enlargement
Frequency not reported: Reductions in prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels of approximately 50%
Common (1% to 10%): Decreased libido, dizziness, somnolence
Frequency not reported: Headache
Common (1% to 10%): Postural hypotension, hypotension
Postmarketing reports: Palpitations
Frequency not reported: A prevention or delay in the appearance of prostate cancer, an increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer
Postmarketing reports: Rare cases of male breast cancer
Frequency not reported: Nausea, flatulence, abdominal pain
A 58 year old man presented with an itchy, lumpy rash on upper and lower extremities following two weeks of finasteride (the active ingredient contained in Propecia) treatment for prostatism. The patient had no known allergies and was taking no other medications prior to the episode. The finasteride was discontinued and dapsone was initiated. The rash resolved two weeks after finasteride therapy was stopped.
Rare (less than 0.1%): Rash
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis, solitary fixed drug eruption
Postmarketing reports: Pruritus, urticaria, angioedema (including swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, and face)
Frequency not reported: Pruritus, urticaria, angioedema of the lips, tongue, throat, and face
Common (1% to 10%): Edema
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rhinitis, dyspnea
Frequency not reported: Depression
Frequency not reported: Asthenia
Frequency not reported: Increased hepatic enzymes
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com Propecia (www.drugs.com/propecia.html).
March 28, 2020
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