Finasteride
About
Finasteride belongs to a class of medicines called dermatological used to treat male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia). Alopecia is the thinning or loss of hair on the scalp or any part of the body. Androgenetic alopecia is the permanent hair loss from the scalp that causes baldness.
Finasteride contains Finasteride (5-alpha-reductase inhibitor) that works by blocking the action of a 5-alpha-reductase enzyme in the body that converts testosterone (male hormone) into dihydrotestosterone that causes hair loss. Thereby, it reduces dihydrotestosterone levels and slows down hair loss.
Take Finasteride as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Finasteride for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience low sexual desire, impotence (erectile dysfunction), abnormal ejaculation, or trouble having an orgasm. Most of these side effects of Finasteride do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Finasteride or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Finasteride is not recommended for children below 18 years as the safety and effectiveness were not established. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid taking Finasteride as it is not for use in women. If you are planning to father a child, inform your doctor before taking Finasteride as it may affect the sexual activity or male fertility. Avoid alcohol consumption with Finasteride as it may decrease the effect of Finasteride.
Uses of Finasteride
Medicinal Benefits
Finasteride contains Finasteride used to treat male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia). Finasteride is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor that blocks the action of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme in the body that converts testosterone (male hormone) into dihydrotestosterone that causes hair loss. Thereby, it reduces dihydrotestosterone levels and slows down hair loss.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Finasteride
- Low sexual desire
- Impotence (erectile dysfunction)
- Abnormal ejaculation
- Trouble having an orgasm
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Finasteride or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Finasteride is not recommended for children below 18 years of age. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid taking Finasteride as it is not for use in women. If you are planning to father a child, inform your doctor before taking Finasteride as it may affect sexual activity or male fertility. If you have prostate cancer, urination problems, stricture (abnormal narrowing due to scarring) of the urethra, bladder muscle disorder, or liver disease, inform your doctor before taking Finasteride. Avoid alcohol consumption with Finasteride as it may reduce the effectiveness of Finasteride. If you experience any changes in mood or feel depressed, stop taking Finasteride and consult a doctor immediately.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: No interactions found.
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid consumption of alcohol with Finasteride as it may decrease the effectiveness of Finasteride.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have prostate cancer, urination problems, stricture (abnormal narrowing due to scarring) of the urethra, bladder muscle disorder or liver disease, inform your doctor before taking Finasteride.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol with Finasteride as it may reduce the effectiveness of Finasteride. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Finasteride.
Pregnancy
unsafeFinasteride is not recommended for pregnant women as it may harm the foetus, especially it may affect the development of the male baby’s sex organs. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
unsafeFinasteride is contraindicated in women. Therefore, please consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
safe if prescribedFinasteride usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionTake Finasteride with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
safe if prescribedIf you have any concerns regarding the use of Finasteride in patients with kidney problems, please consult a doctor.
Children
unsafeFinasteride is not recommended for children below 18 years as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Get your regular medical examinations done to keep a check on your hormonal profile (androgen) and nutritional deficiencies that cause hair fall.
- It is advised to timely monitor your hormonal and vitamin D profiles, which can affect your hair loss.
- Avoid overusing styling tools like blow dryers, curling rods and chemical dying, which can cause loss of natural hair oils and cause hair fall.
- Regular oiling helps in the blood circulation of the scalp and nourishes the roots.
- Wash your hair twice a week with a good shampoo and conditioner to reduce hair fall.
- Practice yoga and meditation to control your stress.
Special Advise
- Finasteride is contraindicated in women and also children below 18 years of age.
- If you are about to have any blood tests, inform your doctor that you are taking Finasteride as it may affect test results of certain tests such as blood test to detect changes in prostate or development of prostate cancer.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Androgenetic alopecia: It is also known as male or female pattern baldness. In male-pattern baldness, hair loss occurs on the top and front of the head. On the other hand, in female pattern baldness, thinning occurs on the top and crown of the head. Male pattern baldness is usually genetic in nature or associated with androgens (male sex hormones).
FAQs
Finasteride contains Finasteride that works by blocking the action of a 5-alpha-reductase enzyme in the body that converts testosterone (male hormone) into dihydrotestosterone that causes hair loss. Thereby, it reduces dihydrotestosterone levels and slows down hair loss.
Finasteride contains Finasteride that may be found in the semen of men taking Finasteride. If your partner is pregnant, it is recommended to use a condom as finasteride may harm the foetus.
Finasteride is contraindicated in women. Therefore, Finasteride is not recommended to treat female pattern baldness. However, please consult a doctor so that appropriate medicines may be prescribed.
Finasteride may affect male fertility or sexual activity. Therefore, if you are planning to father a child, it is advised to inform your doctor before taking Finasteride.
Finasteride is not recommended for patients with prostate cancer as it may worsen the condition. Therefore, inform your doctor if you have prostate cancer before taking Finasteride.
