Propecia/Finasteride Tablets

propecia finasteride contains the active substance finasteride. Propecia is for male use only. Propecia is used for the treatment of male-type hair loss (also known as androgenetic alopecia) in males aged 18-41 years.

Male-type hair loss is a common disorder believed to be caused by a combination of genetic factors and a particular hormone, called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT helps to shorten the hair growth phase and makes the hair thinner. On the scalp, Propecia specifically lowers DHT levels by blocking an enzyme (Type II 5-alpha-reductase) that converts testosterone to DHT. Only males with mild to moderate, but not complete, hair loss can expect a benefit from Propecia use. In many of the males treated with Propecia for 5 years, the progression of hair loss slowed, and at least half of those males also somehow improved hair growth.

Propecia 1 mg tablets contain finasteride 1 mg that specifically inhibits the action of an enzyme called 5α-reductase type II found in hair follicles and converts the male hormone testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is responsible for hair loss, as it causes the hair follicles of the scalp to shrink gradually and produce smaller, thinner hairs, which eventually do not emerge from the follicle. Propecia 1mg reverses the balding process as it blocks DHT build-up in the hair follicles of the scalp, allowing hair to grow normally.

Propecia 1mg Tablets are used to treat men with male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) by increasing hair growth and preventing further hair loss in all areas of the scalp, including the forehead. Propecia 1mg Tablets can help reverse baldness in men with mild to moderate hair loss, but they do not restore long-lost hair. It is not used to treat hair loss in women.

Always use the finasteride hair tablets exactly as your doctor has told you. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.

The recommended finasteride dosage for hair loss is one tablet each day. The tablets can be taken with or without food.

Your doctor will help you determine if Propecia works for you. It is important to take Propecia for as long as your doctor tells you. Propecia only works in the long term if its administration is maintained.

If you take more Propecia than you should

If you take too many tablets by mistake, see a doctor immediately. Propecia will not work faster or better by taking more than one tablet a day.

Like all medicines, Propecia side effects can occur, although not everybody gets them.

The adverse effects have usually been temporary with continued treatment or have disappeared when treatment is interrupted. Stop taking Propecia and tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: swelling of the lips, face, tongue, and throat; difficulty to swallow; lumps under the skin (hives), and difficulty breathing.

You should immediately inform your doctor of any changes in breast tissue, such as lumps, pain, increased breast tissue, or nipple discharge, as these can be signs of a serious disease, such as breast cancer.

Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people

• less sex drive
• difficulty achieving an erection
• problems with ejaculation, including a decrease in the amount of ejaculated semen
• depression

Frequency not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data

• allergic reactions including rash and itching
• breast tenderness and enlargement
• testicular pain
• blood in semen
• fast heartbeat
• persistent difficulty having an erection after stopping treatment
• A persistent decrease in sexual desire after stopping treatment
• persistent ejaculation problems after stopping treatment
• male infertility and/or poor semen quality
• elevated liver enzymes
• anxiety

Warning and precautions

Pediatric population

Propecia should not be used in children. There are no data demonstrating the efficacy or safety of finasteride in children younger than 18 years.

Effects on Prostate-Specific Antigen (APE)

In clinical studies with Propecia in men aged 18 to 41 years, the mean serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value decreased from 0.7 ng/ml before treatment to 0.5 ng/ml after 12 months of treatment. Before evaluating the results of this test, doubling the concentration of PSA in men taking Propecia should be considered.

Liver impairment

The effect of liver failure on the pharmacokinetics of finasteride has not been studied.

Breast cancer

Breast cancer has been reported in men taking finasteride 1 mg during the period of use after marketing. Doctors should warn their patients of the need to immediately report any changes they see in their breast tissue, such as lumps, pain, gynecomastia, or nipple discharge.

Mood disturbances and depression

Mood disturbances, including depressed mood, depression, and, less frequently, suicidal ideation, have been reported in patients treated with finasteride 1 mg. Patients should be supervised for psychiatric symptoms and if these occur, treatment with finasteride should be discontinued and the patient should be advised to seek medical advice.

Lactose intolerance

This medicine contains lactose. Patients with hereditary galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase insufficiency (insufficiency seen in certain populations in Lapland), or glucose or galactose malabsorption should not take this medicinal product.