Generic Propecia

Evidence suggests that counterfeit medicines in the UK are on the increase. However, despite some media reports, the risk of counterfeit medicines in reputable UK pharmacies is extremely low indeed. Most incidences of counterfeit medicine in the UK derive from illegitimate, Internet pharmacy supply of ‘lifestyle’ medicines such as drugs for erectile dysfunction, weight loss and hair retention.

MSD is aware that products claiming to be PROPECIA are advertised on some Internet sites (hosted on servers outside the UK) as available to buy without a prescription.

In the UK, PROPECIA is a Prescription-Only Medicine that should only be taken after a patient has obtained a prescription following consultation with a healthcare professional. It is illegal to supply prescription-only medicines in the UK without a prescription signed by a healthcare professional. Accordingly, MSD strongly recommends patients should only fulfil prescriptions from a community pharmacy or an accredited UK online pharmacy. Patients are placing themselves potentially at risk if they take prescription-only medicines without first having consulted a healthcare professional or if they choose to buy such medicines from unlicensed Internet sites.

Counterfeit medicines are a serious issue facing patients, health professionals and the pharmaceutical industry. They are made by someone other than the original manufacturer and whilst some counterfeit medicines may have the correct active ingredient, some are dangerous as they may:

• be contaminated
• include too much or too little of the active ingredient
• contain no active ingredient
• undermine the patients confidence in taking medicines
• have been made in extremely unsanitary conditions
• contain harmful or poisonous ingredients.

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.