A clear knowledge on Propecia Finasteride
Generic Propecia is an oral drug that is offered only on prescription from a
registered medical doctor. It is offered in tablet form and is
exclusively for men if they suffer from male pattern baldness. Women
are not allowed to take Propecia under any circumstances. The results
become visible after regularly taking this drug for prescribed
duration. A prescription is required to buy Propecia
Propecia is the first anti-baldness pill approved by the FDA in 1997. The United States Food and Drug Administration has granted marketing clearance to Merck & Co., Inc.'s Propecia(TM) (finasteride 1 mg), the first and only pill for male pattern hair loss treatment (androgenetic alopecia), for use in men only.
Proscar is used for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate to diminish the risk of acute urinary retention. It also lessens the risk of the need for surgery together with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and prostatectomy.
Ingredients of Propecia
The main component in Propecia is finasteride. Its job is to block an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, type 2. This enzyme intervenes in the regulation of hair follicle. If you are allergic to the ingredients of Propecia, then you should consult a doctor before taking Propecia. You should also brief your doctor about your current and past medical conditions.
Propecia Reduces Levels of DHT
Propecia blocks the enzyme 5 alpha reductase. It lessens the level of hormone, DHT, in the scalp and lets hairs to return to a normal growth cycle. This gives rise to no further hair loss and considerably new hair growth in men with Male Pattern Hair Loss.
Propecia (Finasteride) Dosage
The dose of Propecia will differ for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label.
For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): Adults 5mg once a day (Proscar contains 5mg of Finasteride).
- For hair growth: Adults 1mg once a day (Propecia contains 1mg of Finasteride).
Changing Propecia (Finasteride) Dosage
You can take finasteride anytime during the daytime, but better would be to it at the same time each day. The suggested dose is 1mg, such as Propecia. A slightly higher dose of 1.25mg, for those that cut the Proscar pill into quarters, is not a problem. Increasing it to an even higher dose clearly produces more side effects. A dose lower than 1mg is less effective.
Missed Dose
If you happen to miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. On the other hand, if it is more or less time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your regular dosing schedule.
Propecia is for use by men only. It is not for use in women or children. Women must not use Propecia when they are or may potentially be pregnant because it may cause abnormalities of the male baby's sex organs, a condition known as hypospadias. In addition, women should not handle crushed or broken tablets when they are pregnant or may potentially be pregnant. Propecia tablets have a coating that will prevent contact with the active ingredient during normal handling, provided that the tablets have not been broken or crushed.
Side Effects
In clinical studies, side effects were not common and did not affect most men. A small number of men observed less desire for sex, difficulty in achieving an erection and/or a decrease in the amount of semen. Each of these effects occurred in less than two percent of men. These side effects went away in all men who discontinued therapy because of them and also disappeared in 58 percent of men who chose to continue taking Propecia.