Finasteride 

What is this medication for?

It is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), a non-cancerous growth of the prostate gland, caused by overproduction of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone. It lowers dihydrotestosterone, and thus shrinks the prostate and relieves the symptoms. This medication is for use in men only. It may take up to 6 months or more for you to notice an effect.

As the prostate enlarges, it can lead to urinary problems such as difficulty in passing urine and frequent visits to the toilet. It can also cause the flow of urine to be slower and weaker. If left untreated, there is a risk that the urine flow may be completely blocked (acute urinary retention) and this requires immediate medical treatment.

Finasteride can also be used to treat male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia). 

In the scalp, a male hormone (dihydrotestosterone), is also the major cause of male pattern hair loss. By lowering dihydrotestosterone, finasteride helps to slow the balding process, preventing further hair loss, and leading to increased hair growth in some patients.

The improvement rate varies from person to person; it usually occurs after the medication has been used for at least 3 months and lasts only as long as the medication continues to be used. Hair loss will begin again within 3 to 6 months after stopping the medication.

How should I take or use this medication?

• Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
• You may take this medication with or without food. Take this medication at the same time of the day.
• This medication should be swallowed whole.
• This medication should not be touched or handled by pregnant women or women who are of childbearing age as the active ingredient of the medication (Finasteride) can be absorbed through the skin and cause abnormal development of the feotus. If contact with the table occurs, wash the area immediately with soap and water. 

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember if it is not close to the next dose. Otherwise, you should skip the dose and take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses together to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

• Use a condom during sexual intercourse as your semen could contain the medication. If your partner is or may be pregnant, you must avoid exposing her to your semen as it may affect the normal development of the baby’s sex organs.
• Avoid donating blood during treatment and for 1 month after you stopped the treatment as there may be a risk that your blood may be given to a pregnant female transfusion recipient.

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• You have heart or liver problem
• You are taking this medication as it may affect prostate specific antigen (PSA), which is a prostate-specific marker in the blood to monitor the effectiveness of the medication as well as the condition
• You have abnormally low mood or have depression

What are some common side effects of this medication? ​

• Unable to get or keep an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse
• Decreased libido (sex drive); less desire to have sex
• Difficulty with ejaculation

These side effects may disappear after a while if you continue to take the medication. If not, they usually go away after stopping the medication. Discuss with your doctor if you are unsure or these side effects become bothersome to you.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately? 

• The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
  • Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Itchy skin rashes over your whole body
• Changes in your breast tissue such as lumps, pain, enlargement or nipple discharge.
• Pain in your testicle
• Anxiety
• Depression (abnormally low mood)
• New or worsening thoughts of harming yourself or suicidal thoughts 

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

It is important to note that your doctor has prescribed this medication as he/she feels that you will benefit more from taking this medication over the possible risks that it may cause, which have a low chance of occurring, and most people take this medication without any of such problems.

Finasteride use in men planning to have children:

• Finasteride may reduce the amount of sperm and the ability of sperm to move.
• For a man and his partner who have difficulty in having children, please consult your doctor for further assessments.

You can also find out about drug allergies by watching these videos: 
They are available in English, 中文, Melayu and தமிழ்: Drug Allergies

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking or intend to take any other medication, supplements, traditional medications or herbal remedies.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children, pregnant women and women who are of childbearing age.

How do I throw away this medication safely? ​

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.