finasteride
Finasteride 1 mg (also known by its brand name Propecia) is used to prevent and treat hair loss. It isn't the same as finasteride 5 mg (brand name Proscar), which is used for enlarged prostate. Finasteride (Propecia) is taken by mouth once per day and is available by prescription only. Side effects aren't common, but typically include sexual problems (e.g., low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, lower ejaculation volume).
What is Finasteride (Propecia)?
What is Finasteride (Propecia) used for?
- Male pattern baldness due to hormones (androgenetic alopecia) in adults
How Finasteride (Propecia) works
Finasteride (Propecia) is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. 5-alpha reductase is an enzyme (protein) that changes testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Too much DHT can cause hair loss. By blocking 5-alpha reductase, finasteride (Propecia) lowers the levels of DHT in the hair follicles of the scalp, which helps hair grow.
Drug facts
Side effects of Finasteride (Propecia)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Lower sex drive (2%)
- Erectile dysfunction (1%)
- Ejaculation problems (1%)
The following Finasteride (Propecia) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Chills
cold sweats
confusion
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
Less common
Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
breast enlargement and tenderness
hives or welts, itching, skin rash
rapid weight gain
redness of the skin
swelling of the lips and face
tingling of the hands or feet
unusual weight gain or loss
Incidence not known
Clear or bloody discharge from the nipple
dimpling of the breast skin
inverted nipple
lump in the breast or under the arm
persistent crusting or scaling of the nipple
redness or swelling of the breast
sore on the skin of the breast that does not heal
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
inability to have or keep an erection
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
Incidence not known
Testicular pain
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Hair loss treatment
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$16
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Pros and cons of Finasteride (Propecia)
Pros
- Works well to grow hair in males who are balding
- Taken by mouth once per day
- Doesn't have a lot of side effects
Cons
- Not a cure; hair loss will come back after stopping finasteride (Propecia)
- Takes 3 months or longer to see the full benefits
- Can cause sexual problems (e.g., lower sex drive, difficulty keeping an erection, low ejaculation volume)
Pharmacist tips for Finasteride (Propecia)
- You can take finasteride (Propecia) with or without food. If it's hurting your stomach, taking it with food might help.
- Propecia and Proscar are two brands that contain finasteride as the active ingredient. Propecia is for hair loss, whereas Proscar is for an enlarged prostate. Both medications shouldn't be taken together. Make sure to tell your provider if you're taking either one of these brands.
- Pregnant females, females of childbearing age, or females trying to conceive shouldn't touch finasteride (Propecia) tablets with bare skin, especially tablets that are broken or crushed. This is because it can get absorbed through the skin and cause harm to unborn babies. If the broken or crushed finasteride (Propecia) tablets are accidentally touched, you should wash your hands with soap and water right away.
- Don't donate blood for at least 1 month after the last dose of finasteride (Propecia) due to the risk of harm to unborn babies.
- Contact your provider if you notice any changes in your breasts, such as lumps, pain, or nipple discharge. These could be signs of a more serious medical problem.
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Common questions about Finasteride (Propecia)
Most people don't experience any serious side effects when they take finasteride (Propecia) as prescribed by their healthcare provider. Few people do experience sexual side effects, such as low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and lower ejaculation volume, but these aren't very common. Though rare, some people did report a condition called post-finasteride syndrome (PFS), where they continued to experience side effects of finasteride (Propecia) even after stopping the medication. Contact your provider if you notice or have concerns about any side effects from finasteride (Propecia).
Post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) is a rare condition in which you continue to have side effects from finasteride for at least 3 months after you've stopped taking the medication. PFS can potentially happen with any medication containing finasteride, including topical forms. Symptoms of PFS include 1) sexual side effects (e.g., low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, low semen production), 2) physical side effects (e.g., breast growth, muscle pain or weakness, joint pain), or 3) mental health side effects (e.g., memory issues, depression, anxiety). The risk factors for PFS aren't completely known, but males who take finasteride (Propecia) for a longer period of time seem to be at higher risk. Unfortunately, there aren't any known treatments or cures for PFS. If you think you might be experiencing PFS, contact your provider.
Studies show that finasteride (Propecia) works well to slow hair loss and promote hair regrowth in males. Research showed that 70-83% males who took finasteride (Propecia) for 1-2 years didn't experience additional hair loss. In addition, data showed that males who took finasteride (Propecia) had a higher chance for hair regrowth with 1-2 years of treatment. Keep in mind that you might need to take finasteride (Propecia) regularly for a while to see improvements. Some people noticed improvements to hair loss after taking finasteride (Propecia) for a year, while it took others longer to see benefits. Talk with your provider if you've more questions about how well finasteride (Propecia) works.
You'll need to take finasteride (Propecia) every day for at least 3 months to notice an impact on your hair growth. Some people didn't see noticeable results until after a year or longer of treatment. And typically, you'll need to continue taking finasteride (Propecia) to maintain its effects. Once you stop finasteride (Propecia), the effect can wear off within 1 year, so you might notice hair loss again.
No, finasteride (Propecia) can actually raise testosterone levels, not lower them. This is because testosterone is changed in your body to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by an enzyme (protein) called 5-alpha reductase. Since finasteride (Propecia) prevents 5-alpha reductase from working, there's more testosterone hanging around because it's no longer being converted into DHT.
It's possible. A study showed 37% of males with a receding hairline who were taking finasteride (Propecia) experienced hair regrowth in the front of their head after 1 year.
Although finasteride (Propecia) isn't FDA-approved for females, there is some research looking into whether it works for females. Results suggest finasteride (Propecia) can help with hair loss in females too. A medical study showed that 82% of females taking finasteride (Propecia) 1.25 mg every day for 3 years had thicker hair, and 67% of them had better hair density. If you're a female and are concerned about hair loss, ask your provider about your options.
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Risks and warnings for Finasteride (Propecia)
Finasteride (Propecia) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk of harm to babies
Pregnant females and females of childbearing age shouldn't handle or touch finasteride (Propecia) tablets, especially broken or crushed tablets, without protection. Touching finasteride (Propecia) can cause it to be absorbed into your skin, which can cause serious birth defects in the unborn baby.
Changes to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels
Finasteride (Propecia) can lower prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in your body, which can affect the accuracy of prostate cancer tests. Your provider might measure your PSA levels before and during treatment with finasteride (Propecia). If your PSA level rises at any time during finasteride (Propecia) treatment, it could suggest prostate cancer. Make sure to mark your appointments in your calendar to see your provider and get blood work done to measure your PSA levels if your provider ordered this test for you.
Finasteride (Propecia) dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1mg | 30 tablets | $9.91 | $0.33 |
Typical dosage for Finasteride (Propecia)
The typical dose is 1 tablet (1 mg) by mouth once per day.
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Interactions between Finasteride (Propecia) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- St John's Wort
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Finasteride (Propecia) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Finasteride (Propecia) will not be safe for you to take.
- People who are pregnant or potentially pregnant
- Allergy to any form of finasteride (including Proscar)
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