Propecia
Generic Name: Finasteride 1 mg Tablets (fi-NAS-teer-ide)Brand Name: Propecia
Propecia is used for:
Treating male pattern baldness on top of the head and the anterior mid-scalp area IN MEN ONLY. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Propecia is an enzyme inhibitor. It works by lowering levels of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a cause of male pattern baldness.Do NOT use Propecia if:you are allergic to any ingredient in Propecia you are pregnant or a woman of childbearing age
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.Before using Propecia :
Some medical conditions may interact with Propecia . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feedingif you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplementif you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substancesif you have any urinary blockage or obstruction
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Propecia . However, no specific interactions with Propecia are known at this time.
Ask your health care provider if Propecia may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.How to use Propecia :
Use Propecia as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions. An extra patient leaflet is available with Propecia . Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this informationTake Propecia by mouth with or without food.It may take 3 months or more of daily therapy with Propecia to begin to see results. It can only work over the long term if you continue taking it.Propecia will not work faster or better if you take it more than once a day.If you stop taking Propecia , you will gradually lose the hair you have gained within 12 months of stopping treatment.If you miss a dose of Propecia , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Propecia . Important safety information:These tablets are coated and will prevent contact with the active ingredient during normal handling, provided that the tablets are not broken or crushed.Propecia may interfere with certain lab tests, including a blood test called PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) for the screening of prostate cancer. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Propecia .Propecia should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Propecia if you are pregnant. It may cause harm to the fetus. Avoid becoming pregnant while you are taking it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if Propecia is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Propecia .Possible side effects of Propecia :
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Breast enlargement and/or tenderness; decreased sex drive; decreased volume of ejaculate; inability to have an erection.Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); breast lumps, pain, or nipple discharge.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider.