Finasteride （Generic Propecia)
Finasteride ( Brand: Propecia）
Finasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, which blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT, the hormone that causes male pattern hair loss. It is the only approved oral medication to treat male pattern baldness.
About Finasteride
Finasteride is a prescription drug and the only oral medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of male pattern baldness. The treatment requires more than one year, but patients who receive finasteride treatment show significant improvement in scalp hair growth and appearance. The treatment can increase hair growth and prevent further hair loss in men with androgenetic alopecia.
Finasteride is part of a family of drugs called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. These drugs work by blocking the activity of 5-alpha reductase, which is an enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is a potent androgen (male sex hormone). It causes male pattern baldness (aka androgenetic alopecia) in men who are genetically predisposed to it, growth of the prostate leading to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).
How to take Finasteride
- Take finasteride exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it.
- You may take finasteride with or without food.
- If you forget to take finasteride, do not take an extra tablet. Just take the next tablet as usual.
- Finasteride will not work faster or better if you take it more than once a day.
Usually, our doctors prescribe a starting dose of 1 milligram when prescribing finasteride, and it is not recommended to increase the dosage on your own. If a dose is missed, there is no need to double the next dose. Women and children are prohibited from taking finasteride, especially pregnant women, as contact with finasteride powder increases the risk of fetal deformities.
Possible side effects of finasteride
Like any medication, there might be side effects. With unlimited access to licensed providers you can ask questions and adjust your medication anytime. Sexual side effects are rare, but during one clinical study it was reported in 1.2-1.4% of cases.
the following are some of the sexual side effects ：
- Decreased libido or lower sex drive (reported in 1.8% of patients taking finasteride vs. 1.3% taking placebo)
- Erectile dysfunction (reported in 1.3% of patients taking finasteride vs. 0.7% taking placebo)
- Ejaculation disorder (reported in 1.2% of patients taking finasteride vs. 0.7% taking placebo)
- Decreased volume of ejaculate (reported in 0.8% of patients taking finasteride vs. 0.4% taking placebo)
There have been reports of possible new or worsening depressive symptoms. Emerging evidence suggests that using finasteride topically may help regrow hair and reduce the risk of further hair loss with lower risks of sexual side effects compared to taking finasteride pills. Overall, studies indicate that side effects usually resolve on their own after discontinuing the use of finasteride.
If any adverse reactions such as allergic reactions occur during the use of finasteride, seek medical attention immediately.
FAQs
Finasteride tablets are used to treat male pattern hair loss, which involves a gradual thinning of scalp hair most obviously manifested as a receding hairline or balding on the top of the head in men. Finasteride is not used to treat all forms of hair loss, such as telogen effluvium, tinea capitis, or others. Finasteride is also sometimes prescribed at higher doses to treat an enlarged prostate gland (under the brand name Proscar®) also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Male pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair loss. It is typically an inherited condition. As the condition progresses the natural hair growth cycle weakens and your hair follicles shrink, causing your hair to become shorter and finer. The exact cause for this type of hair loss is unknown but it is related to the production of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Treatments that inhibit the production of DHT are sometimes effective in slowing, stopping or reversing hair loss due to androgenic alopecia.
Prescription finasteride (1mg dose prescribed for hair loss) has been clinically proven to reduce hair loss or increase hair regrowth in more than 90% of participants. Results are usually noticed after about 3-4 months of daily use. Continuous use of finasteride is essential, or new hair will be lost after one year of stopping the medication. (In comparison, topical minoxidil 5% is effective in stimulating hair regrowth in about 50% of men who use it consistently.)
Prescription finasteride works by preventing testosterone from breaking down into DHT, the hormone that is thought to contribute to male pattern baldness (aka androgenic alopecia) in genetically predisposed men. Finasteride medication is known as a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. Learn more about this and other drug classes we offer.
Start here to inquire about a finasteride prescription on our website. In the United States, Propecia® and its generic form, finasteride, are only available with a prescription. You cannot buy finasteride or Propecia® over the counter. In order to get a prescription, you'll need to be evaluated by a healthcare professional either online or in person so they can determine which treatment options may be appropriate and whether finasteride is appropriate for you based on your patient information.
In addition, it is also important for the doctor to review your health history to determine if the medication is suitable for you. With Mojoon, you can always be sure that you are getting genuine medication with the correct and harmless active ingredient. Mojoon's medications are manufactured by FDA-regulated pharmaceutical companies. In fact, the same source of medication is likely provided by your local pharmacies such as Walgreens, CVS, etc. With Mojoon, you never have to worry about what actual ingredients are in your pills.
In clinical trials of finasteride 1mg, the following sexual side effects were the most common side effects experienced by patients:
- Decreased libido or lower sex drive (reported in 1.8% of patients taking finasteride vs. 1.3% taking placebo)
- Erectile dysfunction (reported in 1.3% of patients taking finasteride vs. 0.7% taking placebo)
- Ejaculation disorder (reported in 1.2% of patients taking finasteride vs. 0.7% taking placebo)
- Decreased volume of ejaculate (reported in 0.8% of patients taking finasteride vs. 0.4% taking placebo)
In addition, fewer than 1% of patients develop a rash or breast tenderness which is reversible after the medication is stopped. Medical literature shows some evidence of increased depressive and anxiety symptoms in users under 45 while using oral finasteride. Customers on our platform will answer questions relating to mental health during a consultation for oral finasteride treatment. As always, any new or worsening side effects (such as, feeling not yourself, mood has changed, etc) should be brought to your medical provider for guidance and medical advice. On the whole, studies indicate that side effects usually resolve themselves after the discontinuation of finasteride. However, about 1.4% of the patients who experience side effects continue to experience side effects even after stopping finasteride. There may be an association of sexual dysfunction side effects and the use of NSAIDS (Motrin®, Advil®, Aleve® type medications), which is why your doctor may recommend you stop taking finasteride for the period of time when you take NSAIDS. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience adverse effects like allergic reaction while taking finasteride. Emerging evidence suggests topical finasteride can help regrow hair and prevent further hair loss with a lower risk of sexual side effects compared to finasteride pills.
Your provider will prescribe what’s right for you. Typically a 1 mg tablet is prescribed for hair loss, although it may vary. Learn more about finasteride dosage for hair loss.
Along with NSAIDS, there are certain prescription drugs, otc medications, and supplements that may have interactions with finasteride. If you have a finasteride prescription, be sure to discuss any current medications or supplements you are taking with your healthcare provider. Additionally, you should avoid finasteride if you have liver disease, as this combination could lead to serious side effects.
If you are taking finasteride for hair loss, it may take 3-6 months before you start to notice results. Typically it takes closer to 12 months to see the best results. Finasteride starts working as soon as it’s absorbed by your body. This means that you’ll start blocking the conversion of testosterone and have lower DHT levels as soon as the first dose of finasteride gets into your system. However, your hair grows through a multi-phase process that’s referred to as the hair growth cycle. This means that even though finasteride starts working immediately, you shouldn’t expect to see any changes in your hair for several months, even if you’re using the medication as directed. Rest assured that finasteride is actively working. Over time, finasteride begins to accumulate in your body, meaning that a modest daily dose (typically 1mg, although it may vary) is enough to significantly reduce DHT production and keep your hair protected.
No, weight gain is not considered a side effect of finasteride.
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