Finasteride

Finasteride is used to treat symptoms of BPH. It is approved for use with the alpha-blocker, doxazosin, to reduce the progression of symptoms of BPH and to treat male pattern hair loss. It has been sold under the names: Propecia, Proscar, Fincar, Finpecia, Prosteride and many other names.

Finasteride Tablets

Finasteride comes in two dosages, as a tablet to take by mouth.

• Finasteride in 5mg dosage is used for treatment of benign prostate enlargement.
• Finasteride in 1mg dosage is used for the treatment of male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia).
  

Finasteride (fin-AS-tur-ide) belongs to the group of medicines called enzyme inhibitors. Finasteride 5mg tablets are used to treat urinary problems caused by enlargement of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). In men with very enlarged prostates and mild to moderate symptoms (difficulty urinating, decreased flow of urination, hesitation at the beginning of urination, getting up at night to urinate), finasteride may decrease the severity of symptoms. Finasteride may also reduce the chance that surgery on the prostate will be needed.

Finasteride blocks an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase, which is necessary to change testosterone to another hormone that causes the prostate to grow. As a result, the size of the prostate is decreased. The effect of finasteride on the prostate lasts only as long as the medicine is taken. If it is stopped, the prostate begins to grow again.

Finasteride 1mg tablets also are used by some balding men to stimulate hair growth. If hair growth is going to occur with the use of finasteride, it usually occurs after the medicine has been used for about 3 months and lasts only as long as the medicine continues to be used. The new hair will be lost within 1 year after treatment is stopped.

Finasteride is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Finasteride side effects are rare but can include impotence and decreased sex drive. Click here for more infromation about Finasteride.

External links:
Finasteride by Cynthia S. Dowd, Ph.D.
Finasteride From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia