Type of medicine: hair growth stimulant
Generic and brand names: finasteride, oral (for alopecia); Propecia
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat alopecia (baldness) in men. It helps to treat thinning hair on the scalp, a receding hairline, and bald spots on the top of the head. There is no evidence that this medicine helps hair regrow on the temples (sides of the head).
It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant because this medicine may cause a male baby's sex organs to be abnormal. If you are pregnant, you should not touch broken or crushed tablets of this medicine. If you do, the drug may be absorbed through your skin and could harm a male baby. Do not touch this medicine if you are breast-feeding.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. You may take this medicine with or without food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach.
The tablets are coated to prevent contact of the skin with the active ingredient. Do not cut or crush the tablets.
You may need to take this medicine for 3 months or more before hair growth appears. Taking more than 1 tablet per day will not speed the results.
If you miss a dose one day, do not take a double dose the next day. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
An acute overdose of this medicine is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center at 800-222-1222.
Caution: This medicine is for men only. Women and children should not take this medicine.
This medicine can affect a blood test called PSA, which is used for diagnosing prostate cancer. Before you have a PSA test done, be sure the healthcare provider knows you are taking this medicine.
This medicine may cause impotence (trouble having and keeping an erection), decrease your sex drive, or reduce the amount of semen released during sexual intercourse. These effects are usually mild and temporary.
Men taking this medicine should not expose their partners to their semen if their partners are pregnant or can become pregnant, because of the possibility of harm to a male baby. Use a condom or ask your healthcare provider if you should stop taking the medicine.
Do not give this medicine to anyone else.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious: Severe testicular pain or swelling.
Other: Impotence, decreased sex drive, reduced amount of semen released during sexual intercourse, breast tenderness or enlargement in men, depression.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
