Finasteride
FINASTERIDE – ORAL (fin-AST-er-ide)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Proscar
USES: This medication is used to shrink the size of the prostate gland in men (for benign prostatic hyperplasia). It reduces urinary blockage and improves urine flow.
HOW TO TAKE THIS MEDICATION: The most common is one tablet (5mg) daily. It may be taken without regard to meals. If the tablet is crushed prior to administration, it should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or by a woman who may become pregnant.
SIDE EFFECTS: The adverse reactions have been mild and temporary. They include impotence, decreased libido or decreased volume of ejaculate, breast enlargement. Decreased volume of ejaculate does not affect sexual function. Finasteride may increase hair growth. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor if you have any pre-existing conditions, especially: infections, liver disease, prostate cancer, urinary tract disease, any allergies. Finasteride should not be used in women or 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. Any contact with finasteride by a developing male fetus could result in abnormalities of the external genitalia. Finasteride should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. It is not known if finasteride is excreted into breast milk. However, this drug is not indicated for use in women.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of any over-the-counter or prescription medication you may use. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
NOTES: Although early improvement is often times seen, at least 6 to 12 months of therapy may be necessary in some patients to assess whether or not a beneficial response has occurred. Therefore, it is important to keep regular doctor appointments and get blood tests as scheduled to ascertain the effectiveness of the medication. Many men are born with the condition this drug mimics (smaller than usual prostate glands) and lead normal lives with normal sex drives.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered; do not take if it is almost time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not ‘double-up’ the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture.
