Generic Propecia

FINASTERIDE (Propecia) can reduce the size of the prostate gland in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The prostate is a part of the male reproductive system that produces a milky fluid for sperm. Over the age of 50 most men develop an enlarged prostate. As the prostate gets bigger it can restrict the flow of urine. Finasteride can help to reduce symptoms caused by BPH such as a weak or interrupted urine flow; a feeling that the bladder is not completely empty; a need to pass urine more often, especially at night; an urgent feeling that you must pass urine right away; a delay or hesitation when you start to urinate. Finasteride is also used for the treatment of certain types of male hair loss. Finasteride is not for use in women. Generic finasteride tablets are available.

PROPECIA has been demonstrated effective in most men. In fact, in FDA-reviewed clinical trials, 2 out of 3 men on PROPECIA regrew hair, as measured by actual hair counts; whereas all the men in the study not taking PROPECIA lost hair. The convenient, once-a-day pill works from Day 1 to lower the amount of DHT in your scalp.

DHT is a substance in the body that can shrink the hair follicle until it no longer produces visible hair. Scientists believe DHT and family history are key factors in hair loss.

Although results will vary, generally you will not be able to grow back all the hair you have lost.

If you start taking PROPECIA you may see a decrease in hair loss beginning in as little as 3 months. And by 6 to 12 months, you may see new hair growth. If PROPECIA doesn’t work for you after 12 months, it is unlikely to be of benefit. If you stop taking PROPECIA, you will likely lose any hair you’ve gained within 12 months of stopping treatment. PROPECIA has been used by more than 1 million men in the United States since the drug’s introduction in 1998.

• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver disease. You may not be able to take Propecia, or you may need a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment.
• Propecia is intended for use by men only.
• Propecia is not indicated for use by women. Do not take or handle this medication if you are pregnant or are could become pregnant during treatment. Propecia is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that it is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Women who are or who may become pregnant must not handle crushed or broken Propecia tablets. The medication could be absorbed through the skin. Propecia is known to cause birth defects in a developing male baby. Exposure to whole tablets should be avoided whenever possible, however exposure to whole tablets is not expected to be harmful as long as the tablets are not swallowed.
• It is not known whether Propecia passes into breast milk. Propecia is not intended for use by women. Do not take this medication if you are breast-feeding a baby.

PROPECIA was developed to treat mild to moderate male pattern hair loss on the vertex (top of head) and anterior mid-scalp area (middle front of head) in MEN ONLY. There is not sufficient evidence that PROPECIA works for receding hairlines at the temples.

PROPECIA is for the treatment of male pattern hair loss in MEN ONLY and should NOT be used by women or children.

You should not use PROPECIA if you are allergic to finasteride or any of the ingredients of PROPECIA.

Women who are or may potentially be pregnant must not use PROPECIA and should not handle crushed or broken PROPECIA tablets because the active ingredient may cause abnormalities of a male baby’s sex organs. If a woman who is pregnant comes into contact with the active ingredient in PROPECIA, a doctor should be consulted. PROPECIA tablets are coated and will prevent contact with the active ingredient during normal handling, provided that the tablets are not broken or crushed.

Propecia is a pill taken by mouth that is a fairly new and effective treatment for male baldness. An increase in scalp hair count and hair regrowth was seen in over 80% of men for whom it was prescribed. Numerous studies have been done looking at the efficacy of PROPECIA. Overall improvements were seen as quickly as 3 months after starting the medicine. PROPECIA not only led to a decrease in hair loss but also significantly increased the rate of hair regrowth. These effects were maintained for over 2 years with continued PROPECIA therapy.

Propecia should be stored at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.

This drug is taken by mouth. 1 tablet per day. PROPECIA is the brand name for finasteride, which acts to inhibit the conversion of the androgen (male hormone) testosterone into 5-alpha-dihydrotesterone (DHT). In men each hair follicle contains tiny amounts of DHT. As male pattern baldness begins the amount of DHT contained in each follicle increases. PROPECIA through its inhibitory action serves to reverse this process by decreasing the amount of DHT in the hair follicle and in blood.

In clinical studies adverse reactions were noted to be rare and did not affect most men. The most common adverse reaction was decreased libido that appeared to occur in less then 2.0% of men taking this medicine. The problem quickly resolved in all cases upon the discontinuation of the medication.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as remembered; do not take if it is almost time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not “double-up” the dose to catch up.