What you should know while taking Propecia tablets

While taking Propecia tablets it is necessary to make some precautions:

Visit your doctor regularly and follow his/her advice about the use of the medicine and tests necessary to do.

Check for prostate cancer by doing Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA), a blood test for the screening of prostate cancer. Propecia tablets decrease PSA levels, so you should inform your doctor if you are taking this medication. Any changes in PSA levels should be estimated by your doctor. It is also necessary to tell your doctor if you have not been taking Propecia as prescribed.

Be attentive to your general health, if any changes occur, consult your doctor.

Propecial clinical trials

Several clinical trials in men were held to assess the efficacy of Propecia.

In long-term three double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies 1879 men took part. The main goals of the trials were hair count and patient self-assessment. Additional goals were the assessment by the researcher and ratings based on photographs.

Men with diagnosed mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) between 18 and 41 years of age were chosen for the trials. Their hair loss was not complete. Two of the studies involved 1553 men with substantial mild to moderate vertex hair loss. The third study involved 326 men with diagnosed mild to moderate hair loss in the anterior mid-scalp area with or without vertex balding.

Clinical improvement was observed about 3 months after the start of the treatment with Propecia. Patients receiving Propecia got an increase in scalp hair count and significant hair regrowth.

In long-term clinical studies of Propecia (up to 5 years) the hair regrowth was constantly observed. On the whole, the difference between treatment groups (Propecia vs. placebo) went on to increase during the 5 years of the studies.

Patient self-assessment demonstrated meaningful improvement in hair count and full satisfaction with the treatment.

The studies collected the information about sexual side effects and non-scalp hair body growth which was based on the reports of the test participants.

Propecia dosage forms and strengths

Propecia tablets containing 1 mg of finasteride are fawn-colored, octangular, film-coated bulging tablets with an imprint “P” on one side and Propecia on the other.

Propecia tablets are indicated for oral administration. Each Propecia tablet contains 1 mg of the active component finasteride and the following inert components: lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, sodium starch glycolate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, titanium dioxide, magnesium stearate, talc, docusate sodium, yellow ferric oxide, and red ferric oxide.

Propecia tablets are supplied the following ways:

  • bottles of 30 tablets
  • bottles of 90 tablets

Finasteride drug interactions

According to the clinical trials Finasteride is extensively metabolized by CYP3A4; evidently does not affect CYP isoenzymes.
Specific drug tests were conducted to determine the potential of Finasteride to interact with other medicines. No clinically significant drug interactions have been observed. Finasteride does not show any potential to affect the cytochrome P450-linked drug metabolizing enzyme system. The combinations of Finasteride with antipyrine, digoxin, propranolol, theophylline, and warfarin have been tested and no clinically meaningful interactions were noted.
Finasteride was used in clinical studies together with acetaminophen, acetylsalicylic acid, α-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, analgesics, anti-convulsants, beta-adrenergic blocking agents, diuretics, calcium channel blockers, cardiac nitrates, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), benzodiazepines, H2 antagonists and quinolone anti-infectives. The concomitant use of these medicines with Finasteride demonstrated no clinically significant adverse interactions.

Before taking Finasteride

Finasteride is a medication to treat hair boldness in males only. It should never be taken by a woman or a child. The medication may penetrate through the skin into the body that is why women and children should not hold Finasteride tablets.

Before using this medication it is necessary to consult your doctor. You may have other conditions with which Finasteride may contradict. Tell your doctor if you have any of these health conditions:

  • liver disease, or tests showing abnormal liver enzyme levels;
  • prostate cancer;
  • a bladder muscle disorder;
  • stricture of urethra;
  • if you have urinating problems;
  • if you have allergic reactions to Finasteride or dutasteride (Avodart).

Finasteride may increase the chance for prostate cancer. It is necessary to undergo special tests to exclude other conditions that would contradict with safe Finasteride usage.

Finasteride side effects

According to the results of clinical trials Finasteride causes no common side effects when taken properly. In case severe adverse events occur when using Finasteride get emergency medical help. Severe side effects may include:

  • Severe allergic reactions such as rash, hives, itching, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue);
  • Breast enlargement;
  • Pain;
  • Depression;
  • Nipple discharge and other signs of male breast cancer.

Other side effects which may occur include:

  • Erectile problems;
  • Low libido;
  • Orgasm achievement problems;
  • Abnormal ejaculation;
  • Swelling in hands or feet;
  • Dizziness, weakness;
  • Headache.

In most cases Finasteride is well tolerated and causes no adverse effects, if you experiences any Finasteride side effects inform your doctor.

Clinical pharmacology

According to the results of the clinical tests Finasteride is a competitive and specific inhibitor of Type II 5α-reductase. Type II 5α-reductase transforms testosterone to DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in the prostate gland, skin and liver. DHT forces androgenic effects by fixing to androgen receptors in the cell nuclei of skin, liver and the prostate gland.

It was proven that the development and enlargement of the prostate gland happens because of the appearance of the potent androgen, 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Finasteride produces a stable enzyme complex.  The administration of Finasteride for men with the 5α-reduced steroid metabolites in blood and urine has shown that these metabolites are decreased significantly. This proves the efficacy of the medication in the treatment of male pattern baldness in men.

Finasteride proper taking tips

Finasteride medication should be taken only with your doctor’s prescription, exactly as your doctor directs you. Never exceed the prescribed dose for you, take your medication as long as recommended to achieve good results. Take Finasteride medicine with a full glass of water. Take Finasteride with or without food, each day at the same time.

Sometimes doctors recommend special blood tests to be sure that Finasteride does not cause any harm to the patient health. The prostate specific antigen (PSA)  test may be done to control the possibility for prostate cancer. Regular visits to your doctor are recommended.

The proper storage of Finasteride includes room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. The medicine is to be kept in a bottle tightly closed.

Most essential information about Propecia (Finasteride)

Finasteride is indicated to treat male pattern baldness in men only; it should never be used by a woman or a child. Propecia medication should be properly stored away from others.

Finasteride can get through the skin that is why women or children should not touch or carry Propecia tablets. This medication can cause birth defects if a pregnant woman is exposed to it. To avoid any risks to a child, pregnant women should not touch or handle the medication. In case a woman unintentionally has a direct contact with a broken or crushed tablet of Propecia it is necessary to wash the area with soap and water immediately.

Propecia should not be administered for patients who potentially may have allergic reactions to this medication. It is important to inform your doctor if you have ever had allergic reactions to Finasteride, or to a similar drug – Dutasteride (Avodart).

Using Propecia may increase the chance of a man to develop prostate cancer. So it is recommended performing special tests to prevent this or other conditions.

In you experience any breast lumps, pain, nipple discharge, any breast changes which may be the signs of male breast cancer call your doctor right away.

Finasteride dose and administration

Finasteride is indicated to treat male pattern hair loss or androgenic alopecia. The usual recommended adult dose for male pattern baldness is 1 mg once a day.
The medication is to be administered only to men older than 18 years of old with mild or moderate hair loss of the vertex and anterior mid-scalp area.

Finasteride may be taken with or without food.

The therapy usually lasts for three months or more before the necessary result can be seen. Continued daily use has shown to bring beneficial results while withdrawal of treatment often returns the hair loss.