Finasteride is a hormonal cancer drug. This medication is able to improve prostatic hypertrophy, the urination process, and clinical symptoms.
Other facts:
- The Food and Drug Administration allowed prescribing this medication for male baldness in the 90s.
- An individual might be taking as little as 1 mg per day or the dosage can go as high as 5 mg per day.
- Individuals might suffer from erectile dysfunction, changes in sperm quality, decreased desire for sexual activity, and depression as a result of receiving Finasteride. However, most of these are rare and usually go away when the drug is stopped.
- Finasteride is a medication that is prohibited for use by children and women (with a few exceptions). It is prescribed only to men.
- For maximum effect, it is recommended to take this medication for a prolonged time, up to a year.
Indications
In order to reduce the size of the prostate, improve urination, and lessen the severity of the benign prostatic hyperplasia’s symptoms, Finasteride is given. As a result, it might lessen the possibility of severe urinary retention and the consequent need for catheterization or surgery, such as prostatectomy and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Additionally, urological issues can be avoided with the use of this medication.
A medication called Finasteride is used to treat male pattern baldness in males. It has really shown to be among the most successful medications for treating this male issue. Given significantly lower DHT levels in women, Finasteride is not advised for the treatment of female pattern baldness. Though it happens seldom, when a woman is diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia and high DHT levels, a doctor may prescribe Finasteride in small doses. In such cases, its usage should be strictly under medical supervision.
The history of the Finasteride creation
The American pharmaceutical company Merck & Co developed this medicine in the late 1980s. At that moment, the company was looking for a new solution to prostatic hyperplasia, which would be more effective and safer than existing drugs.
In the process of research, it was found that one of the drugs that were tested on volunteers had a side effect – it slowed down the process of hair loss in men. This led Merck & Co to investigate this drug as a treatment for hair loss. In the early 90s, it was approved for the treatment of hair loss.
How does it work?
The growth of prostate tissue is due to the conversion of testosterone to the male sex hormone dihydrotestosterone. The active ingredient hinders the stimulating effect of testosterone on tumor development.
As a result, there is a significant decrease in the amount of 5-alpha reductase enzyme, which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, in blood plasma and prostate tissue within 24 hours after oral administration. This is accompanied by a decrease in the size of prostate, an improvement in urine flow, and lessening of urinary obstruction symptoms.
When it comes to hair loss, it works by blocking the same hormone that triggers prostate growth. As it turned out, dihydrotestosterone is also the reason behind male baldness. This indication appeared as a result of an accidental discovery of its side effect when finding a solution for another disease – BPH.
Finasteride works by preventing DHT from binding to hair follicle nerve endings, which causes the hair follicles to shrink and thin. It can increase the development of new hair, stop hair loss, and reduce the balding process because it blocks DHT from reaching hair follicles and preventing them from receiving vital nutrients and blood.
Contraindications and safety precautions of Finasteride
Before beginning to use the medication, you should be aware of some of its contraindications. Hypersensitivity to the medicine’s active component or other compounds, as well as the existence of drug allergies, are two of the most evident reasons to avoid using Finasteride.
Like many medications, this one is not recommended for use by women who are pregnant or nursing. Moreover, ladies who might or plan to get pregnant should avoid even contact with the medication if its coating is damaged as the active ingredient can get into the body of a woman.
The fact that Finasteride enters seminal fluid should be kept in mind. The constraint of testosterone conversion to DHT by 5-alpha reductase inhibitors might result in incorrect development of the external genitalia in male fetuses.
Individuals who have liver failure, as this organ plays a key role in its metabolization or obstructive uropathy should use this drug carefully.
With a large volume of residual urine and its reduced flow, the chance of developing obstructive uropathy should be borne in mind. Before starting and periodically during treatment, it is recommended to conduct a rectal digital examination, as well as other types of studies to exclude prostate cancer and infectious prostatitis.
It is important to note that this list of contraindications and precautions is not complete, so before you start using Finasteride, you must always consult with your doctor and get individual recommendations on treatment and possible contraindications.
Dosages and intake instructions
Whether an individual is prescribed Finasteride on its own or as a supplementary means, it should be taken one time a day orally regardless of food intake as its bioavailability is not affected by this. The timing does not matter, but it should be taken every day, at the same time if possible.
The dosage is 5 mg for individuals who are being treated for prostatic hypertrophy. For hair loss treatment, the dosage is usually only 1 mg of the active ingredient.
Absorption in the gastrointestinal tract is completed 6 to 8 hours after intake. It is well absorbed and penetrates tissues and bioliquids. It is worth mentioning that the active substance was found in the ejaculate.
Finasteride should be taken and used over a long period of time for best results. The first evaluation of effectiveness is carried out after 6 months. In some cases, it may take up to a year of regular Finasteride use to achieve full restoration of the hairline or
Side effects of Propecia Generic
Taking Finasteride may have some risks, dangers, and consequences for both men and women. Here are some of them:
For men:
- Decreased libido and worsened erectile function;
- Breast enlargement and tenderness;
- Impaired ejaculation;
- Reduced amount of sperm and change in its quality;
- Allergic reactions;
- Impaired liver function;
- Dryness, peeling, itching, and irritation of the scalp.
For women:
- Growth of hair on the face and other parts of the body;
- Dryness, peeling, itching, and irritation of the scalp;
- Allergic reactions.
In most cases, side effects go away after the medication is no longer administered. No adverse effects of the drug on the ability to engage in potentially hazardous activities that require increased attention and rapid psychomotor reactions have been reported.
It is important to note that these risks can be minimized if the drugs are used at the advice of a doctor and the dosages and recommendations for use are followed. You need to consult your doctor before using these medicines, especially if you have any medical problems and receiving pills.
Storage conditions
The medication should be stored in a dry, dark place, at a temperature not exceeding 25°C. As with any medication, you should keep these tablets out of the reach of children. The medication is good for use for 2 years after being manufactured. You should not use it after the expiry date stated on the package.
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