Generic name: finasteride [ fin-AS-ter-ide ]
Brand names: Propecia, Proscar
Dosage form: oral tablet (1 mg; 5 mg)
Drug class:5-alpha-reductase inhibitors
What is finasteride?
Finasteride (Proscar) is used alone or with other medication to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with enlarged prostate.
Finasteride (Propecia) is used to treat male pattern hair loss in men.
Finasteride is for use in men only.
Finasteride may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
Finasteride should never be taken by a woman or a child.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use finasteride if you are allergic to it.
Using finasteride may increase your risk of developing a serious form of prostate cancer. Ask your doctor about this risk.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
prostate cancer; or
liver disease or abnormal liver function tests.
finasteride should never be taken by a woman or a child.
Finasteride can cause birth defects if a woman is exposed to it during pregnancy. A broken finasteride tablet should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or may become pregnant. The medicine from a broken tablet could be absorbed through the skin.
If a woman accidentally comes into contact with a broken or crushed tablet, wash the area with soap and water...
