Finasteride

BPH & Drugs for Urinary Retention · Selective 5-alpha reductase inhibitor

Indications

Treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy. Treatment of male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) in men only.

Dosage

Adults: BPH: 1 tab daily using strength as clinically appropriate for at least 6 mth to assess response. Thereafter, treatment should be continued long term. Treatment of male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) in men only: 1 tab of 1 mg once daily. Children: Not recommended.

Adverse Effects

Impotence, decreased libido, decreased volume of ejaculate, breast disorders.

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Contraindications: Due to interference with testosterone metabolism, finasteride may cause gross abnormalities in the genitalia of the male foetus so avoid in pregnancy. Precautions: Obstructive uropathy. Exclude prostate cancer; perform evaluation prior to and during therapy. Finasteride lowers the mean value of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Hepatic impairment. Large residual urine, severely decreased urinary flow, Evaluate for prostate cancer before and during therapy. Possible risk of male breast cancer; advise patients to report breast tissue changes. Double PSA values to compare with normal ranges in untreated men as it reduces PSA by 50%; establish new baseline PSA after 6 months then monitor regularly. Risk of depression; advise patients to report psychiatric symptoms. Women may…

Advice to Patient

Take with or without meals. Take with fluids, 30 minutes before or 2 hours after meals. Contact prescriber if there is increased urination, other changes in urinary pattern, changes in breast condition, (breast pain, lumps, discharge from nipple) in male and female both patients. Have periodic follow-up appointments.

Pharmacokinetics

Duration: Dihydrotestosterone levels return to normal within 14 days of discontinuation of treatment. BPH: Prostate volume returns to baseline within approx. 3 mth after discontinuation. Male pattern baldness: Reversal of increased hair count within 12 mth. Metabolism: Hepatic. Bioavailability: Mean: 5 mg: Approx. 63%. 1 mg: 65%. Half-life elimination, serum: 5-6 hrs. Elderly (=70 yrs): 8 hrs. Time to peak, serum: 1-2 hrs. Excretion: Faeces (57%). Urine (39%).

Brands with this active ingredient

• Finarow
• Finasta
• Finset
• Fintride
• Genesis
• Hairfin
• Manfin
• Proscar
• Prostryl
• Xandrox

Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.