Finasteride 1mg

About Finasteride

Description

Finasteride contains the active ingredient finasteride. It belongs to a group of medicines called Type II '5-alpha reductase inhibitors' which blocks an important enzyme involved in the regulation of the hair follicle.

Suitability

Do not take Finasteride:

• if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to finasteride or any of the other ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet
• if you are a woman (because this medicine is for men) - it has been shown in clinical trials that Finasteride does not work in women with hair loss
• if you are already taking finasteride or dutasteride used for a prostate problem called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Finasteride should not be taken by women. If a woman who is pregnant comes into contact with crushed or broken Finasteride tablets, speak to your doctor. When the patient's sexual partner is or may become pregnant, the patient should either avoid exposure of his partner to semen (e.g. by use of a condom) or discontinue treatment with Finasteride.

Important Interactions

You must tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken or might take other medicines.

Side Effects

• less desire to have sex
• erectile dysfunction
• depression

Please Note

All medication can cause side effects. We have only listed a few to be aware of. Details of all side effects, including rare side effects to be aware of, are listed in the patient information leaflet (PIL). When completing your medical questionnaire, it is very important that you answer the questions truthfully. This is to ensure your doctor has a full picture of your medical history before prescribing. List all medicines you are already taking, including non-prescription and herbal medicines.

Alternatives

The brand Propecia contains the same active ingredient as generic Finasteride. Topical solutions, lotions and shampoos are also available, but clinical research has shown that the most effective way of preventing hair loss is through the use of oral hair loss medicine.

Looking after your medicine

Do not take medicines after the expiry date stamped on the pack. Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.

Medicines are only intended to be used by the person they are prescribed for. Do not give your prescribed medicine to anybody else, even if they have the same symptoms as you. Medicines can be harmful if used by anybody other than the person they have been prescribed for.

References

Finasteride 1mg Patient Information Leaflet

British National Formulary: finasteride

Will the use of Finasteride affect the hair on other parts of my body?

Finasteride does not affect hair on other parts of the body.

Can Finasteride affect fertility?

Infertility has been reported in men who took Finasteride for a long time and had other risk factors that may affect fertility. Normalisation or improvement of seminal quality has been reported after discontinuation of Finasteride. Long-term clinical studies about the effects of Finasteride on fertility in men have not been conducted.

What happens when I stop taking Finasteride?

If treatment is stopped, the beneficial effects of Finasteride start to wear off after six months. By 9 to 12 months all of the beneficial effects will have worn off and the hair loss will be the same as it was before treatment started.