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Finasteride 1mg (Generic Propecia)

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What is this medication used for​​​?

Finasteride 1 mg Tablets contain finasteride. Finasteride belongs to the group of medicines called 5- alpha reductase inhibitors.

Finasteride is prescribed for male pattern baldness, also known as androgenic alopecia or androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride prevents further hair loss in men, and is beneficial for men with mild to moderate, but not complete hair loss.

Dosage and How to Use​

  • This medication may be taken with or without food.
  • If you experience stomach upset, take the medication with food.
  • Do not take more than once a day.

What to do if I missed a dose?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

What are the possible side effects of Finasteride?

Common side effects include:

  • Unable to get or sustain an erection
  • Decreased libido (sex drive); less desire to have sex
  • Difficulty with ejaculation

These side effects may be temporary and reversible. If they are persistent and become bothersome, please discuss it with your doctor.

Finasteride use in males planning to have children:

  • Finasteride may reduce the amount of sperm and the ability of sperms to move
  • For a man and his partner who have difficulty in having children, please consult your doctor for further assessments​

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

Rarely, this medication may cause

  • Abnormal breast enlargement, development of lumps in the breast area, breast pain or nipple discharge
  • Pain in the testicles
  • Abnormal reduction in urine volume
  • Persistent inability to have sex especially in men with a history of depression and anxiety (post-finasteride syndrome)

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

  • Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop the medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

What precautions should I take?

  • Use a condom during sexual intercourse to avoid exposing your partner to the medication. This is because the medication can be found in semen. This is to protect your partner if your partner is or may be pregnant, as the medication may affect the normal development of the baby’s sex organs.
  • Avoid donating blood during treatment or for 1 month after you stopped the treatment as there may be a risk that your blood may be given to a pregnant female transfusion recipient.

Inform your healthcare professional if:

  • You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients in this medication.
  • You have heart, liver, prostate or urological diseases.
  • You are going for a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test. Finasteride may decrease the level of PSA, which is a prostate-specific tumour marker, in the blood.
  • You have abnormally low mood or have depression.

What other medications and foods should I avoid when taking Finasteride?

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking or intend to take any other medication, supplements, traditional medications, or herbal remedies.

Handling and storage

  • Keep away from children
  • Keep in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight
  • Keep this medication away from children, pregnant women and women who are of childbearing age.
  • To dispose this medication safely, pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.

The above information answers some common questions about this medicine. It does not contain all the available information. It also does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

References

https://www.sgh.com.sg/patient-care/medicine/finasteride/