The most common side effects of Propecia include a decreased interest in sexual intercourse, inability to have or keep an erection, or a loss in sexual ability, desire, drive or performance. Talk to your doctor or a healthcare professional if you experience these side effects, but these are not experienced medical conditions or prescriptions.
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You may experience:
You may also experience:
You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects such as:
You should let your doctor know about any other medical conditions you have, especially the following:
Propecia comes in the form of tablets and can be taken either once or twice daily. Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose and gradually increase it as your body adjusts to the medication. Propecia can help you get a full and satisfying sex life, but it is important to take it as directed. Follow the directions on your prescription label and read the manufacturer’s information leaflet before use.
Take Propecia with each meal that contains fat. It is important to take the medication at the same time each day. If you miss a meal, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next meal, skip the missed meal and continue with your regular meal. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed meal.
If you are taking Propecia regularly, your doctor will probably start you on a dose and gradually increase it. If you have missed a dose, you may feel dizzy or drowsy, so you may need to take your next dose at a later time. You should stop the medication as soon as you feel light-headed or faint, or you may need to take a dose before you feel well.
If you are feeling unwell or experience any side effects, your doctor will probably recommend that you contact a Poison Control Center immediately. You can also call their helpline at 877-764-4443.
Last updated 13 November 2023
Propecia (generic for finasteride) is a prescription drug treatment for male pattern baldness. It is also approved for male-specific hair loss treatment in Canada. Generic finasteride reduces hair loss by inhibiting type II 5-alpha-reductase, which is responsible for turning testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Finasteride works by blocking the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which is responsible for turning testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is created during cellular metabolism and triggers hair loss. By doing so, finasteride helps to prevent further hair loss and decreases hair thinning. This helps prevent further hair loss and scalp redness.
Propecia is approved for use in both men and women. Men can use it either once daily or as prescribed by their doctor. Women may use it as prescribed by their doctor or pharmacist.
Take Propecia as prescribed by your doctor. It is best to take it on an empty stomach before, within 30 minutes to 1 hour after, every day, and without food. It can be taken with or without food. Do not stop taking Propecia or change the dosage in a hurry. It is important to take it with food to avoid stomach irritation. Do not take it more often than once a day. Always follow your doctor's instructions while using Propecia.
Some side effects may be caused by Propecia. Talk to your doctor if any of the symptoms persist or worsen.
Your doctor may prescribe another treatment for you. Generic finasteride should be used as advised by your doctor or as your doctor has advised you. Propecia is usually taken once daily in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. You should continue taking the drug as directed. Regular use by your doctor may also reduce the risk of side effects.
If you have any of the following symptoms, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you may use generic finasteride:
Contact your doctor if you experience any side effects, stomach pain, diarrhoea, or any other health effects.
For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep the drug in a cool dry place, out of reach of children.
Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns, any adverse reactions you may experience, or if you think you may be pregnant or breastfeeding.
Do not take Propecia if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in Propecia tablets.
Read the enclosed leaflet before useAsk your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns when taking or using Propecia, if any.Finasteride is a prescription drug. It is not intended as a remedy for any side effect you have not discussed with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you are pregnant or may become pregnant, discuss with your doctor how Propecia may affect your pregnancy or breastfeeding decision to take this medicine. Please tell your doctor and pharmacist within the first month of starting treatment to ensure that you keep taking the medicine.Pregnant or trying to get pregnant, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or are taking this medicine. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of this medicine.
If you have been advised not to take Propecia, your doctor may increase the amount of medicine that you take, but it may increase the risk of side effects.
Do not consume alcohol while taking this medicine.
Keep out of reach of children and animals.
The drug is being used in the US as a treatment for male pattern baldness, the National Institutes of Health reported Monday.
A drug designed to combat hair loss in women is being sold under the name of Propecia. It has been available in the US since 1997, but it is not a drug.
Doctors say it is the most widely prescribed medicine in the US and has been approved for hair loss treatment since 1992.
The drug, called finasteride, is used for two conditions in men: enlarged prostates and male-pattern baldness.
In 1999, a study published in the journal found that more than 80 percent of American men had experienced hair loss, while in 2000, the rate was nearly 60 percent.
The drug is also used off-label to treat a rare condition in women called hypogonadism, which can cause extreme muscle weakness and fatigue, experts said.
"We do not have any data that can be extrapolated from the data we have," said Dr. Jane Smith, a medical director at the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
"And as of yet there is little data on the efficacy of finasteride in treating this condition."
The drug works by blocking the action of a specific enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). By doing so, Propecia helps slow or stop hair loss, reducing hair loss in the male pattern.
Propecia is sold in the US in the form of tablets or capsules, and has been available over the years as a treatment for hair loss in women. However, a few months ago, the Food and Drug Administration approved the drug in the United States for use in women with an enlarged prostate and male-pattern baldness.
In a, the FDA issued a warning that the drug was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events in patients treated with the drug.
A second warning came on Sunday in a study of patients with androgenetic alopecia who had been treated with the drug for a few months.
"The risk of cardiovascular events increases with time, and for patients with the disease, the benefits outweigh the risks," Dr. Elizabeth Krensberg, a professor of medical and obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, said in the.
She called the risk an increase of one in six women, which is considered "very low," or around 8 percent.
She noted that Propecia has been approved in the United States for two uses: hair loss and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
It is also used off-label to treat female pattern hair loss in men, a condition that can lead to male-pattern baldness, androgenetic alopecia in both men and women.
A new drug, called finasteride, was launched in the US in August.
"What you're doing is you're doing this, and you're doing it right away," said Dr. Krensberg, who has a private practice in Chicago.
"I've had some patients say to me, 'This drug just can't do it. This is a medical problem, and we should be on the right track.'
"I've been told by doctors and other physicians that there's a lack of evidence that it's effective."
Dr. Robert A. Johnson, an endocrinologist at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Dallas, said the company was concerned about the safety of finasteride.
"That's a concern," he said.
The FDA issued a warning in the early 2000s about a rare form of male-pattern baldness, the most common form in men, which is hereditary. In the early 2000s, doctors would typically see a specialist in male-pattern baldness to check for the disease.
Johnson said the drug can cause an increased risk of cardiovascular events. He said the medication can increase the risk of cancer of the prostate gland and heart disease in men with high blood pressure. The risk is higher in women.
The drug, which is sold under the brand name Propecia, has been shown to slow the growth of hair in patients with hair loss. The company said the drug was not effective in treating BPH, but patients had not reported any serious side effects.
The drug is still available in the US for the treatment of BPH. The drug was approved in the United States by the FDA in 1997.
Finasteride (Propecia) is a medication that is used to treat male pattern baldness. It works by blocking the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that causes hair follicles to shrink. Propecia is a type of drug that was developed to treat androgenetic alopecia, an inherited condition in which the hair follicles become miniaturised and shrink.
It’s important to note that Propecia does not have to be taken daily or every day. It can be used as an initial treatment for male pattern baldness, however, you should continue to take it as prescribed.
If you are experiencing hair loss, it’s important to speak to a healthcare professional who can advise you on whether Finasteride is right for you. You may have some questions or concerns about how it works or whether the medication may be right for you.
Finasteride may also be prescribed for other conditions such as testicular cancer, or when you are experiencing hair loss.
Do I need to take Finasteride (Propecia) every day?Finasteride is a medication used to treat male pattern baldness and it’s important to take this medication every day. Finasteride works by blocking the production of DHT, which is a hormone that causes hair follicles to shrink. The medication is usually taken orally, but there are times when you may want to take it with food or milk.
Finasteride can be taken as a tablet or a liquid. It can be taken with or without food, but it’s important to be aware that it may not work for everyone. It may not be suitable for everyone, and you should talk to a healthcare professional to determine the best option for you.
How long does it take for Finasteride (Propecia) to work?It can take up to 6 months for Finasteride to show its full effects. It is important to continue taking Finasteride as long as your doctor has prescribed it. Some men may experience the effects, but it is not known whether it is due to the medication or a temporary side effect of the medication.
It’s generally recommended that you continue taking Finasteride as prescribed, however, if you experience any side effects, speak to a healthcare professional.
Finasteride is not recommended for women and children. It should only be used by men, however, if you are experiencing male pattern baldness.
Finasteride is only available by prescription and can be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Can Finasteride (Propecia) cause birth defects?Finasteride is not known to cause birth defects. The medication is intended to be used to treat hair loss in men, but it can cause birth defects in a small number of men. If you are concerned about birth defects, speak to a healthcare professional or fertility specialist to discuss the risks and benefits of Finasteride.
If you are experiencing hair loss, Finasteride (Propecia) may be prescribed to you as an initial treatment. If you are experiencing hair loss, talk to a healthcare professional to determine whether Finasteride is right for you. This is because Finasteride may have side effects in some men.
If you are experiencing hair loss, Finasteride (Propecia) may be prescribed to you as an oral medication. You should speak to a healthcare professional or fertility specialist to discuss the risks and benefits of Finasteride.
You should speak to a healthcare professional or fertility specialist to determine whether Finasteride is right for you.
What are the side effects of Finasteride (Propecia)?The most commonly reported side effects of Finasteride are:
Does Finasteride (Propecia) cause liver damage?Finasteride can cause liver problems.
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