Finasteride
PROSCAR, PROPECIA
Pronunciation: fi-NAS-teer-ide
“Finn Asteroid’s Prostate scare”
What it isType-2 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor; benign prostatic hyperplasia and androgenetic alopecia.
Why this oneUnlike dutasteride, it is labeled for male-pattern hair loss as well as BPH, giving one molecule two common long-term roles.
What limits itBenefit takes months. It lowers PSA and obscures trends; sexual dysfunction may persist, and pregnancy exposure threatens a male fetus.
FDA-approved for
- BPH (1992)
- hair loss (1997)
Off-label
- female hirsutism
FDA label
Read the full label on DailyMed ↗
| FDA dosing | Population | Start | Target | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benign prostatic hyperplasia (monotherapy) | adult male | 5 mg QD | 5 mg QD | |
| BPH — combination with doxazosin | adult male | 5 mg QD | 5 mg QD |
Renal Undefined
Hepatic Undefined
Instructions
- May be taken with or without meals.
- Females who are or may be pregnant must not handle crushed or broken tablets (risk to a male fetus).
Available strengths
- tab 1, 5 mg
Contraindications
- Pregnancy — females who are or may potentially be pregnant (risk of male fetal genital abnormalities)
Cautions
- Reduces serum PSA ~50% — establish new baseline; evaluate any confirmed PSA increase
- May increase risk of high-grade prostate cancer
- Females should not handle crushed/broken tablets (male fetus risk)
- Not indicated in children or females
- Rule out other urologic conditions before treating BPH
Adverse reactions
- Impotence
- Decreased libido
- Decreased ejaculate volume
- Breast enlargement
- Breast tenderness
- Rash
Pregnancy Contraindicated; may cause abnormal development of male fetal external genitalia.
Lactation Not indicated for use in females.
Cost
Generic entry2006
NO BOXED WARNINGS
Principal riskSexual dysfunction, sometimes persistent
Classes and tags
Clinical profile
Legacy pregnancy categoryX
Defining liabilityGenerally tolerated at therapeutic doses; clinically important risks are agent-specific and increase with interactions or organ impairment.
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