Finasteride Information

Finasteride is used to treat an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and male pattern baldness. The drug works by preventing the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which can lead to hair loss and an enlarged prostate.

Finasteride is meant only for men, and it should not be taken if you have liver disease without consulting with your doctor. You may require special monitoring during treatments or a lower dose. Finasteride is not meant for women, and it is known to cause birth defects in unborn children. Therefore, women who are breast feeding or pregnant should not even handle the drug, especially broken or crushed tablets; finasteride may be absorbed through the skin. Exposure to whole tablets is not generally harmful if the tablets are not swallowed.

You should take finasteride exactly as directed and with a full glass of water. You can take finasteride with or without food, but it should be taken regularly for optimal results. Your doctor may perform blood tests or monitoring such as a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test used to detect prostate cancer. Although finasteride will lower the amount of PSA in your blood, your doctor can still use PSA to determine if you have prostate cancer. Make sure to store the medication at room temperature away from heat and moisture.

If you miss a dose, take it when you remember. If your next dose is near, skip the missed dose and take your next regularly scheduled dose. Never double your dose to make up for a missed dose. If you believe you may have taken too much finasteride, seek emergency medical attention. Possible symptoms of a finasteride overdose are unknown.

If you are taking finasteride, no restrictions exist regarding activities, beverages or foods to avoid while taking the medication. If you experience signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling of the face, lips or tongue, hives, closing of the throat or difficulty breathing, seek emergency medical attention.

If you experience less serious side effects such as breast enlargement or tenderness, decreased volume of ejaculate, decreased libido or trouble achieving or maintaining an erection, you can continue taking finasteride. However, you should consult with your doctor. Consult with your doctor if you experience any unusual or bothersome side effects that are not listed.

Finasteride may interact with saw palmetto, soy isoflavones supplements, certain blood pressure medications or male hormones such as testosterone.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

The expiry date is listed on each blister. The date will vary depending on the particular batch. The shelf life is 2 years from the manufacturing date and varies depending on when the pills were manufactured.