Women of childbearing potential must not use or handle crushed finasteride tablets. Finasteride can cause birth defects in male fetuses.
Finasteride - fin-AS-tur-ide belongs to the group of medication called enzyme inhibitors. It is using to treat urinary problems causing by enlargement of the prostate - benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. In men with very enlarged prostates and mild to moderate symptoms - difficulty urinating, decreased flow of urination, hesitation at the beginning of urination, getting up at night to urinate, finasteride may decrease the severity of symptoms. Finasteride may also reduce the risk that surgery on the prostate will be needed.
Finasteride blocks an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase, which is necessary to change testosterone to another hormone that causes the prostate to grow. As a result, the size of the prostate is decreased. The effect of finasteride on the prostate lasts only as long as the drug is taken. If it is stopped, the prostate begins to grow again.
Finasteride also is using by some balding men to stimulate hair growth. If hair growth is going to occur with the use of finasteride, it usually occurs after the drug has been using for about 3 months and lasts only as long as the drug continues to be using. The new hair will be lost within 1 year after finasteride treat is stopped.
Finasteride is available only with your family doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:
Some commonly using brand names are:
In the USA
In Canada