Finasteride

💊 What is Finasteride used for?

• •The label says finasteride is used to treat male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in men only. The label says it is not known whether it works for a receding hairline on the sides and top of the forehead. It is not indicated for use in women or in children.

How it works

The label says finasteride is a specific inhibitor of an enzyme called Type II 5-alpha-reductase. This enzyme changes the hormone testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). By slowing this change, the medicine lowers DHT levels.

How it is usually taken

• •The label says finasteride may be taken with or without meals. It is taken once a day. The label says that daily use for three months or more is generally needed before benefit is seen, and that continued use is recommended to keep the benefit. The label says the effect reverses within 12 months after treatment is stopped. Take it exactly as your prescriber tells you, and follow the instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Comes as

• •Finasteride 1 mg tablets: white, octagonal, film-coated tablets debossed with 'J' on one side and '81' on the other.

⚠️ Finasteride side effects

🛑 Who should not take Finasteride, and who should be careful

The label says not to take it if

• 🚨You are a woman who is pregnant or may become pregnant. The label says finasteride may harm an unborn male baby.
• 🚨You are allergic to any of the ingredients in the tablets.
• 🚨The label says finasteride is not for women or children.

Tell your doctor before taking it if

• •Tell your healthcare provider about any other medical conditions, including problems with your prostate or liver.
• •Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
• •Tell your healthcare provider if you have a PSA test, because finasteride lowers PSA levels.
• •Read the Patient Information leaflet before you start and each time you get a refill, as the label advises.

🔀 Finasteride with other medicines, food and alcohol

The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist

• •The label says no drug interactions of clinical importance have been identified. It says finasteride does not appear to affect the cytochrome P450 enzyme system, and that antipyrine, digoxin, propranolol, theophylline, and warfarin showed no clinically meaningful interactions. Tell your healthcare provider about every medicine you take, because the label says specific interaction studies were not done for many other drugs.

Alcohol and food

The label says finasteride may be taken with or without food. The label does not discuss alcohol.

🤰 Finasteride in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy

The label says finasteride is contraindicated for women who are pregnant or may become pregnant and lists it as Pregnancy Category X. In animal studies, it caused abnormal development of the external genitals in male fetuses. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not handle crushed or broken tablets. The coating prevents contact during normal handling if the tablets are not broken.

Breastfeeding

The label says finasteride is not indicated for use in women. It says it is not known whether finasteride passes into human milk.

🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much

Storage

The label says to store at 20 to 25 degrees C (68 to 77 degrees F). Keep the container closed and protect the tablets from moisture.

If a dose is missed

The label says that if you forget a dose, do not take an extra tablet. Just take the next tablet as usual. It also says that taking more than one tablet a day will not make the medicine work faster or better.

If too much is taken

The label says that in clinical studies, single doses up to 400 mg and multiple doses up to 80 mg a day for three months did not cause adverse reactions. It also says no specific treatment for an overdose can be recommended until more experience is available. Contact your healthcare provider, pharmacist, or local poison control service if you think you have taken too much.

🗒️ Questions to ask about Finasteride

• Is finasteride right for my type of hair loss?
• How long will it take before I see any benefit?
• What should I do if I miss a dose?
• How could finasteride affect my PSA test results?
• What side effects, such as changes in sex drive or breast changes, should I report to you?
• Are there any of my current medicines that I should check with you about?

❓ Finasteride: frequently asked questions