Propecia
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Description
Women of childbearing potential
should not use or handle crushed Propecia tablets.
Propecia can cause birth defects in male
fetuses.
Propecia belongs to the group of medicines
called enzyme inhibitors. It is used to treat urinary
problems caused 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), Propecia may decrease the severity of
symptoms. Propecia may also reduce the chance that
surgery on the prostate will be needed.
Propecia 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
Propecia on the prostate lasts only as long as the
medicine is taken. If it is stopped, the prostate begins
to grow again.
Propecia also is used by some balding men to
stimulate hair growth. If hair growth is going to occur
with the use of Propecia, it usually occurs after the
medicine has been used for about 3 months and lasts only
as long as the medicine continues to be used. The new
hair will be lost within 1 year after Propecia treatment
is stopped.
Propecia is available only with your doctor's
prescription, in the following dosage form:
Oral
Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
Before Using Propecia
In deciding to use a
medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be
weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision
you and your doctor will make. For Propecia, the
following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor
if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to
Propecia. Also tell your health care professional if you
are allergic to any other substances, such as foods,
preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy - Women who are or
may become pregnant should not take Propecia or should
not be exposed to broken or crushed Propecia tablets,
because it can cause changes in the genitals (sex
organs) of male fetuses.
Older adults - Propecia has
been tested and has not been shown to cause different
side effects or problems in older people than it does in
younger adults.
Other medicines - Although
certain medicines should not be used together at all, in
other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your
doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions
may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if
you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription
(over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Proper Use of Propecia
Propecia tablets may be
crushed to make them easier to swallow. However, women
who are or may become pregnant should not handle crushed
Propecia tablets.
For patients taking Propecia for benign prostatic
hyperplasia (BPH):
To help you remember to take your medicine, try to
get into the habit of taking it at the same time each
day. Remember that Propecia does not cure BPH but it
does help reduce the size of the prostate. Therefore,
you must continue to take it if you expect to keep the
size of your prostate down. You may have to take
Propecia for at least 6 months to see the full effect.
You may have to take Propecia for the rest of your life.
Do not stop taking Propecia without first discussing it
with your doctor. Propecia helps to reduce urinary
problems in men with BPH. In general, it is best to
avoid drinking fluids, especially coffee or alcohol, in
the evening. Then your sleep will not be disturbed by
your need to urinate during the night.
For individuals taking Propecia for hair growth: You
may have to take Propecia for at least 3 months to see
an effect. The effect will last only as long as the
medicine continues to be used. The new hair will be lost
within 1 year after Propecia is stopped.
Dosing
The dose of Propecia will be different for different
patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions
on the label. The following information includes only
the average dose of Propecia. If your dose is different,
do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so:
For oral dosage form (tablets): For treatment of benign
prostatic hyperplasia (BPH):
Adults - 5 milligrams (mg)
once a day. For hair growth:
Adults - 1 mg once a day.
Missed dose
If you miss a dose of Propecia, take it as soon as
possible. However, if it is almost time for your next
dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular
dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
To store Propecia:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen
sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may
cause the medicine to break down.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no
longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is
out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using Propecia
Women who are
or who may become pregnant should not handle crushed
Propecia tablets. There is a risk that the medicine
could get into the pregnant woman's body and cause birth
defects in a male fetus.
Side Effects of Propecia
Along with its needed
effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.
Although not all of these side effects may occur, if
they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of
the following side effects occur:
Less common
Breast enlargement and tenderness; skin rash;
swelling of lips
Breast enlargement and tenderness, skin rash and
swelling of lips are more likely to occur with the 5-mg
dose.
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need
medical attention. The following side effects may go
away during treatment as your body adjusts to the
medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the
following side effects continue or are bothersome:
Less common or rare
Abdominal pain; back pain; decreased libido
(decreased interest in sex); decreased volume of
ejaculate (decreased amount of semen); diarrhea;
dizziness; headache ; impotence (inability to have or
keep an erection)
A decrease in the amount of semen during ejaculation
should not affect your sexual performance and is not a
sign of any change in fertility.
Incidence Unknown
Testicular pain
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in
some patients. If you notice any other effects, check
with your doctor.
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