Finasteride

Finasteride is used to treat hair loss in men. It is used to increase hair growth and prevent further hair loss with male pattern baldness (gradual thinning of hair with receding hairline or thinning on the top of the head).

Finasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. It blocks the body's production of a male hormone in the scalp that stops hair growth, thereby reversing the balding process and preventing further hair loss.

• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): Used for treatment and control of BPH (regression of prostate, improved urinary flow, improved symptoms).
• Male Pattern Baldness: Used for treatment of hair loss in men.

BPH/ Urinary retention/ Urinary incontinence

5-alpha Reductase Inhibitor

Finasteride, a competitive inhibitor of the 5α reductase enzyme which is used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. It is selective for 5α reductase type 2 enzyme and has no affinity for androgen receptors. The development of the prostate gland and subsequent BPH is dependent upon conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) within the prostate.

Finasteride competitively inhibits the 5α-reductase enzyme, preventing conversion of testosterone to DHT, thereby decreasing serum DHT levels.

Adult Dose (Oral):

• BPH: 5 mg once daily for at least 6 months.
• Male Pattern Baldness: 1 mg once daily for at least 3 months.

Hepatic impairment: Caution in liver dysfunction; monitor.

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Finasteride may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

If you miss a dose of Finasteride, take it as soon as possible; however, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.

Common Side Effects (1% in BPH):

• Impotence (3.7%)
• Decreased libido (3.3%)
• Decreased volume of ejaculate (2.8%)

Precautions:

• Finasteride does not usually affect your ability to drive.
• Beneficial response may not be immediate; monitor patients with large residual urine volume and/or severely diminished urinary flow.
• Digital rectal examination and other evaluations for prostate cancer should be performed before and periodically during BPH treatment.
• Pregnant women should not handle crushed or broken tablets (risk to male fetus from absorption).
• If you discontinue the medicine, you may lose the hair you grew while on it.

Contraindications:

• Hypersensitivity
• Women and pediatric patients
• Pregnancy and lactation

Drug Interactions: No clinically important drug interactions identified; does not significantly affect cytochrome P450-linked drug metabolizing enzyme system.

Food Interactions: It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Finasteride; consult your doctor.

Use in Pregnancy: Highly unsafe; animal and human studies have shown significant harmful effects; pregnant women should not handle crushed or broken tablets.

Use in Lactation: Information regarding use during breastfeeding is not available; consult your doctor.

Pediatric Use: Not indicated for children.

Geriatric Use: No dosage adjustment is required in elderly patients.

Renal Impairment: Safe to use in patients with kidney disease; no dose adjustment recommended.

Hepatic Impairment: Limited information available; use with caution.

Overdose: Limited information on overdose; symptomatic treatment.

Storage: Store below 30 degree C in a cool and dry place, protected from light and moisture. Keep out of reach of children.

Finasteride