Finasteride-oral

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Do not share this medication with others.Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., prostate exams, PSA levels) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. You should have a complete physical examination. Follow your doctor's instructions for examining your breasts and testicles, and report any lumps immediately.Although early improvement is often seen, at least 6 to 12 months of therapy may be necessary in some patients to assess whether or not a benefit has occurred. Therefore, it is important to keep regular doctor appointments and get blood tests as scheduled to make sure this medication is working.Many men are born with the condition this drug mimics (prostate glands that are smaller than usual) and lead normal lives with normal sex drives.

GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes

: Finasteride (Propecia) is used for the treatment of male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia in males only.

Carbamazepine, rifampin, and St. John's wort may reduce blood levels of finasteride by increasing its breakdown in the liver. Itraconazole, erythromycin and similar drugs increase blood levels of finasteride. 

Decreased sexual ability/desire may occur. In some men, this medication can decrease the amount of semen released during sex. This is harmless, but has continued in some men even after stopping treatment. Finasteride may also increase hair growth. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: lump in the breast, nipple discharge, breast enlargement/tenderness/pain, pain in the testicles, inability to urinate.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

List Finasteride side effects by likelihood and severity.

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use.

This medication can affect the results of the blood test used to detect prostate cancer (prostatic-specific antigen or PSA levels). Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this drug.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., prostate exams, PSA levels) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. You should have a complete physical examination. Follow your doctor's instructions for examining your breasts and testicles, and report any lumps right away.

Although early improvement is often seen, at least 6 to 12 months of therapy may be necessary in some patients to assess whether or not a benefit has occurred. Therefore, it is important to keep regular doctor appointments and get blood tests as scheduled to make sure this medication is working.

Many men are born with the condition this drug mimics (prostate glands that are smaller than usual) and lead normal lives with normal sex drives.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip themissed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store US product at room temperature below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) away from light and moisture in a tightly closed container.

Store Canadian product at room temperature between 59 to 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) away from light and moisture in a tightly closed container.

Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.Information last revised July 2016. Copyright(c) 2016 First Databank, Inc.