FINASTERIDE

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Proscar

GENERIC NAME(S): FINASTERIDE

 

Description: Finasteride is a type of steroid reductase inhibitor that works by reducing the amount of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body.  This makes the prostate gland smaller, and helps relive urinary problems.

Pharmacokinetics:

Absorption: Absorbed from the GI tract. Bioavailability: Approx 80%. Time to peak plasma concentration: 1-2 hr.

Distribution: Crosses the blood-brain barrier and distributed into seminal fluid. Volume of distribution: 76 L. Plasma protein binding: Approx 90%.

Metabolism: Undergoes hepatic metabolism primarily by CYP3A4 isoenzyme.

Excretion: Via urine (39%) and faeces (57%) as metabolites. Terminal half-life: Approx 6 hr.

Finasteride is used to shrink an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) in adult men. It may be used alone or taken in combination with other medications to reduce symptoms of BPH and may also reduce the need for surgery.

 

Finasteride may improve symptoms of BPH and provide benefits such as decreased urge to urinate, better urine flow with less straining, less of a feeling that the bladder is not completely emptied, and decreased nighttime urination.

 

Finasteride is not approved for prevention of prostate cancer. It may slightly increase the risk of developing a very serious form of prostate cancer. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks.

 

Women and children should not use this medication.

 

OTHER USES:

This drug is also used in male pattern baldness.

 

How to use finasteride

Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking finasteride and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

 

Take 5 mg of this medication by mouth, with or without food, usually once a day, or as directed by your doctor for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.  For male pattern baldness, take 1 mg by mouth once daily.

 

If the tablet is crushed or broken, it should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or by a woman who may become pregnant (see also Precautions section).

 

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time each day. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

 

It may take 6-12 months to notice a benefit.

 

Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Pregnancy Risk: Category X (Not for use in pregnancy)

You should check with your doctor immediately if any of these side effects occur when taking finasteride:

More common

  • Chills
  • cold sweats
  • confusion
  • dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position

Less common

  • Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
  • breast enlargement and tenderness
  • hives or welts
  • itchy skin
  • rapid weight gain
  • redness of the skin
  • skin rash
  • swelling of the lips and face
  • tingling of the hands or feet
  • unusual weight gain or loss

Some of the side effects that can occur with finasteride may not need medical attention:

More common

  • Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
  • inability to have or keep an erection
  • loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance

Less common

  • Runny nose
  • sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
  • sneezing
  • stuffy nose

Less common or rare

  • Abdominal or stomach pain
  • back pain
  • decreased amount of semen
  • diarrhea
  • dizziness

headache

Before taking finasteride, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

 

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, prostate cancer, infections, urinary problems.

 

Finasteride should not be used in 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. Exposing a developing male infant to finasteride can result in abnormalities of the genitals.

 

Finasteride should not be used in women, especially during pregnancy or breast-feeding. It may harm an unborn or breast-feeding baby. Consult your doctor if you have any questions about this medication.

 

Interactions

 

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

 

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use.

 

This medication can affect the results of the blood test used to detect prostate cancer (prostatic-specific antigen or PSA levels). Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this drug.

 

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

 

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., prostate exams, PSA levels) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

 

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. You should have a complete physical examination. Follow your doctor’s instructions for examining your breasts and testicles, and report any lumps immediately.

 

Although early improvement is often seen, at least 6 to 12 months of therapy may be necessary in some patients to assess whether or not a benefit has occurred. Therefore, it is important to keep regular doctor appointments and get blood tests as scheduled to make sure this medication is working.

 

Many men are born with the condition this drug mimics (prostate glands that are smaller than usual) and lead normal lives with normal sex drives.

 

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

 

Storage

Store US product at room temperature below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) away from light and moisture in a tightly closed container.

 

Store Canadian product at room temperature between 59 to 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) away from light and moisture in a tightly closed container.

 

Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

 

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

 

Brands

 

Available Brands

Atepros [ Biomedis ] Finapros [ Unicure ]
Finarid [ Unicure ] Finflow-5 [ SSPL ]
Finide 5 [ Zydus Healthcare Phils ] For-BPH [ H & B Pharma ]
Pronax [ Intas ] Propecia [ Merck Sharp & Dohme ]
Proscar [ Merck Sharp & Dohme ] Prostanus [ Sandoz ]
Prosta-One [ Synergen ] Trichogen [ NeoDerm ]

 

Also marketed as

Finast [ Dr Reddy’s ] Pelosta-5 [ Genpharma ]
Prostab [ Unicure ] Prosteride [ Yoo Young ]

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