DRUG DESCRIPTION AND USES
Propecia is a prescription drug used to treat BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia). The Food and Drug Administration in the USA approved Propecia for the use of MPB (male pattern baldness) in 1997. The main ingredient is finasteride which is also distributed under other brand names.
Finasteride is an artificial hormone that inhibits production of the enzyme that changes testosterone into DHT (dihydrotestosterone). In so doing, it is able to slow down, and even prevent, male hair loss.
A five-year study was conducted on men suffering with mild to moderate balding. Results showed that two of every three men taking 1 mg of Propecia every day grew new hair. The same study established that men who did not take Propecia continued to lose hair. The results were studied by a panel of leading dermatologists who concluded that 48 percent of the men who took Propecia showed visible hair re-growth. Of these, 42 percent experienced no further loss.
When used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, also commonly called ‘enlarged prostate’, beneficial effects may only be experienced after taking 5 mg of Propecia per day for six months. If dosage is ceased, any benefits may be reversed. Propecia can alleviate the symptoms of BHP, e.g. difficulty in urination, decreased flow of urine, difficulty in starting to urinate, and disturbed sleep because of the continual desire to urinate.
DOSAGE
Doctors usually recommend that 1 mg be taken by mouth once a day. Propecia can be administered with or without food. For male baldness, it may take as long as three months before any benefits are noticed. To sustain these benefits, continual treatment is needed. A doctor should review each patient on a regular basis. When treatment is discontinued, all benefits will be reversed within a year.
SIDE EFFECTS
Most side effects are related to sexual dysfunction. These include impotence, decreased semen, abnormal ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, unusual sexual function, gynecomastia, ejaculation disorder, and testicular pain. If these side effects are severe, they tend to disappear when treatment is discontinued. If the side effects are mild, they usually disappear shortly and the patient may continue treatment.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Propecia is not recommended for use by women. The drug is classed in the category X by the FDA which means it can cause birth defects in an unborn infant. Women who are pregnant, or trying to become pregnant, should not handle a Propecia tablet because finasteride can be absorbed by the skin. If this occurs accidently, contact a doctor immediately. Propecia is more likely to harm an unborn male baby and cause deformities of the sexual organs.
Any man who is a regular blood donor should not donate blood while using this drug. When treatment stops, do not resume giving blood for at least one month.
Before commencing treatment, patients are advised to make themselves familiar with all the warnings and precautions detailed in the package insert. For example, the patient should inform his doctor if he has liver failure, liver disease, or an allergy to any ingredient in Propecia. The doctor should also be informed of any other medications used by the patient, as well as herbal supplements and vitamin supplements.
