FINASTERIDE

Brand & Generic Names

Proscar

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Dihydrotestosterone inhibitor

Uses

• Treats non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland in men (benign prostatic hypertrophy or BPH).
• Theoretically, may prevent the development of prostate cancer.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablets--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
Once a day as directed, with or without meals.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Inhibits the enzyme needed for the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. Dihydrotesterone is required for the development of benign prostatic hypertrophy.

Time lapse before drug works:
May require up to 6 months for full therapeutic effect.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist, especially non-prescription decongestants.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
None expected.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

None expected.

Common:

None expected.

Infrequent:

Decreased volume of ejaculation.

Rare:

Impotence, decreased libido.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to finasteride.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have not had a blood test to check for prostate cancer.
• If your wife is pregnant or may become pregnant.
• If you have a liver disorder.
• If you have reduced urinary flow.
• If you have large residual urinary volume.

Over age 60:
No special problems expected.

Pregnancy:

• Not recommended for women.
• Pregnant women should not handle the crushed tablets.
• Avoid exposure to mate's semen if he takes finasteride.

Breast-feeding:
Not recommended for women.

Infants & children:
Not recommended.

Prolonged use:
Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check the effectiveness of the treatment.

Skin & sunlight:
No special problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No special problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without medical advice.

Others:

• Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.
• May affect results of some medical tests.
• For those who respond well, the drug must be continued indefinitely.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
-------------------------	-----------------------
Anticholinergics*	Decreased finasteride effect.
Bronchodilators,	Decreased finasteride effect.
Bronchodilators,	Decreased finasteride effect.
Ephedrine	Decreased finasteride effect.
Phenylpropanolamine	Decreased finasteride effect.
Pseudoephedrine	Decreased finasteride effect.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	No proven problems.
Beverages:	No proven problems.
Cocaine:	No proven problems.
Foods:	No proven problems.
Marijuana:	No proven problems.
Tobacco:	No proven problems.