Finasteride
Introduction To Finasteride
Finasteride is used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. It helps to shrink the size of the enlarged prostate gland and relieves symptoms like difficulty in passing urine, urgent need to pass urine, and inability to hold the urine.
Finasteride is to be taken by mouth with or without food. The dose and duration of the medicine should be taken as per prescription. An overdose of it may cause harm to your health. It is better to take the medicine at the same time each day and it must be swallowed as a whole. It may take some time for the medicine to act upon the symptoms, so it is important to take the medicine regularly. The course of the treatment should be completed for better efficacy of the medicine.
This medicine is usually well tolerated. However, it may cause some mild sexual side effects such as ejaculation disorder, erectile dysfunction, and decreased libido. Some people may also experience allergic reactions such as itching, rashes, and swelling of the lips or face. If you experience any of these side effects, consult your doctor without delay.
Before starting the treatment, it is important to tell your doctor if you are taking any medication for any health condition. This will ensure your safety.
Uses of Finasteride
- Treatment of Hair loss
Benefits of Finasteride
Treatment of Hair loss
Finasteride is a medicine used to treat common hereditary hair loss. It
prevents further hair loss and helps hair to regrow. It stops the production
of a hormone that causes excessive hair fall or baldness and also increases
hair growth. It is considered a safe medicine. Regrowth of hair can be
beneficial to your mood, self-esteem as well as your appearance, but you need
to use it regularly to get the benefits.
Side effects of Finasteride
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Finflow
- Decreased libido
- Erectile dysfunction
- Ejaculation disorder
How to use Finasteride
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Finasteride may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Finasteride works
Finasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. It blocks an enzyme which is necessary to change testosterone to another hormone that causes prostate to grow. As a result, it helps to shrink the prostate and relieve the symptoms like difficulty in passing urine.
Safety Advice
PregnancyUNSAFE
Can I take Finasteride if I’m pregnant?
Finasteride is highly unsafe to use during pregnancy. Seek your doctor's advice as studies on pregnant women and animals have shown significant harmful effects to the developing baby.
BreastfeedingCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Finasteride if I’m breastfeeding?
Information regarding the use of Finasteride during breastfeeding is not available. Please consult your doctor. Finasteride is not indicated in women.
AlcoholCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Is drinking alcohol while taking Finasteride safe?
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Finasteride. Please consult your doctor.
DrivingSAFE
Can I drive after taking Finasteride?
Finasteride does not usually affect your ability to drive.
KidneySAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Can I take Finasteride if I have/had kidney diseases?
Finasteride is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Finasteride is recommended.
LiverCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Finasteride if I have/had liver diseases?
There is limited information available on the use of Finasteride in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does Finasteride reduce prostate gland’s size?
If yes, how does it work? Yes, Finasteride 5 mg decreases the size of the prostate gland in patients of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is a condition in males wherein there is enlargement of the prostate gland. Finasteride blocks the enzyme responsible for the production of dihydrotestosterone and lowers the level of dihydrotestosterone, which is responsible for increased size of prostate.
Q. How long does Finasteride take to treat BPH?
You might be able to notice an improvement in your symptoms within a short time. However, it may take 6 months to see the full benefits of using Finasteride.
Q. Is Finasteride safe for BPH?
Yes, Finasteride is safe if taken according to the doctor’s advice. The side effects are usually mild to moderate, and it is very rare to experience serious side effects with Finasteride.
Q. Does Finasteride lower prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels?
Yes, Finasteride can lower PSA levels. Lowered PSA levels can make it hard to detect prostate cancer. However, Finasteride does not affect the free to total PSA ratio. The ratio can be used as an aid to detect prostate cancer.
Q. Are the side effects of Finasteride permanent?
No, the side effects like decreased sexual desire and inability to develop or maintain erection usually disappear after Finasteride is stopped. Also, the side effects disappear if you keep taking Finasteride for a long time. Consult your doctor if the side effects worry you.
Q. Can Finasteride cause infertility?
No, infertility has not been reported in patients. But, using Finasteride may very rarely cause decreased sexual desire, inability to develop or maintain an erection and decreased amount of semen. Consult your doctor if you develop any of these symptoms.
Q. For how long does Finasteride stay in your system?
Finasteride stays for about 3-4 days in your body, but this can vary from individual to individual.
Q. Does Finasteride affect pregnancy?
This medicine is strictly prohibited for women. That being said, pregnant women should not take Finasteride due to its effect on the fetus. If you are carrying a male baby and take Finasteride, he may be born with abnormalities of sex organs.
Q. At what time of the day should I take Finasteride?
You can take Finasteride any time of the day but try to take it at the same time each day.
References
Written By:
Dr Advikka Ridhy
MBBS
RMO, Aster MIMS
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