
Prescription Required.
Product of Canada.
Shipped from Canada.
Prescription Required. | Product of Canada. | Shipped from Canada. |
PROPECIA (Finasteride)
What is Propecia?
PROPECIA is used to treat male-pattern hair loss, also called androgenetic alopecia. It increases scalp hair growth and helps to prevent additional hair loss. It is effective in men with mild to moderate hair loss but is not effective for those who have lost all their hair.
HOW DOES PROPECIA WORK?
PROPECIA contains finasteride. Finasteride is a type II 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Hair loss in aging males is thought to be caused by the effects of DHT. DHT causes a reduction in the speed of hair growth and causes hair thinning, leading to male pattern balding. These changes may start to occur as early as 20 years of age and become more common as men age. If hair loss is prolonged, it may become permanent. PROPECIA reduces the level of DHT in the blood and may reverse the balding process. This may lead to an increase in hair growth and the prevention of additional hair loss.
WHAT ARE THE INDICATIONS FOR PROPECIA?
PROPECIA is used in patients with male-pattern hair loss – also called androgenetic alopecia.
WHAT IS THE DOSE OF PROPECIA?
The dose of PROPECIA is 1 mg taken daily by mouth. At least three months of continuous use is required before an increase in hair growth or reduction in hair loss is seen. Stopping treatment will lead to a reversal of all hair-growth effects after approximately 12 months.
Warnings & Precautions
General warning
PROPECIA should be used with caution in patients with liver dysfunction, as PROPECIA is mainly metabolized in the liver.
Other possible causes of alopecia should be excluded before starting PROPECIA. In addition, a medical healthcare provider should periodically evaluate the efficacy and duration of PROPECIA treatment.
Patients should report any breast changes such as pain, lumps, or nipple discharges.
Increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer
Patients older than 54 years of age and taking PROPECIA are at greater risk of developing high-grade prostate cancer. Therefore, patients should be monitored regularly to identify those who develop this complication.
Special Populations
Hepatic impairment
The liver primarily metabolizes PROPECIA. Therefore, it should be used with caution in those with impaired hepatic function.
Renal impairment
It is not necessary to adjust the dose of PROPECIA in patients with renal dysfunction or for those on dialysis.
Children
PROPECIA should not be used in children.
Pregnancy
PROPECIA should not be used in pregnant women. PROPECIA inhibits the conversion of testosterone to DHT and may cause abnormalities in the development of the male fetus’s external genitalia. Pregnant women should not handle PROPECIA tablets that have been crushed or broken.
Breastfeeding
PROPECIA should not be used in breastfeeding women. This is because PROPECIA inhibits the conversion of testosterone to DHT and may cause abnormalities in the development of the male fetus’s external genitalia.
Use in the elderly
No studies have been done on the effectiveness of PROPECIA in patients over the age of 65 years.
Use in postmenopausal women
One large study has shown no benefit to using PROPECIA in healthy postmenopausal women suffering from androgenetic alopecia.
Contraindications
PROPECIA is contraindicated in women who are or may be pregnant. This is because PROPECIA inhibits the conversion of testosterone to DHT and may cause abnormalities of the male fetus’s external genitalia.
PROPECIA is contraindicated in persons with a hypersensitivity to any component of the product.
Side Effects
Common side effects of PROPECIA include:
- Decreased libido
- Erectile dysfunction
- Ejaculation disorders
Less common side effects include:
- Hypersensitivity reactions such as swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, and face
- Muscle pain
- Depression
- Breast tenderness
- Breast enlargement
- Male breast cancer
- Testicular pain
- Male infertility
Drug Interactions
No significant drug interactions of clinical importance when using PROPECIA have been identified.