Propecia Finasteride Hair Loss Medication

Propecia (Finasteride) - Hair loss medication

Drug Uses

Propecia is a pill used for the treatment of male pattern hair loss on the vertex (top of head) and anterior mid-scalp area (middle front of head). There is not sufficient evidence that Propecia works for receding hairlines at the temples. Propecia is for use by MEN ONLY and should NOT be used by women or children.

How Taken

Propecia comes as a tablet. Propecia usually is taken once a day. It may be taken with or without food. Take Propecia exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Continue to take Propecia even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Propecia without talking to your doctor.

Warnings/Precautions

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver disease. You may not be able to take Propecia, or you may need a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment. Propecia is intended for men use only. Propecia is not indicated for women use. Do not take or handle this medication if you are pregnant or are could become pregnant during treatment. Propecia is in the FDA pregnancy category X.

This means that it is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Women who are or who may become pregnant must not handle crushed or broken Propecia tablets. The medication could be absorbed through the skin. Propecia is known to cause birth defects in a developing male baby. Exposure to whole tablets should be avoided whenever possible however exposure to whole tablets is not expected to be harmful as long as the tablets are not swallowed. It is not known whether Propecia passes into breast milk. Propecia is not intended for women use.

Do not take this medication if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Propecia and you remember the same day, take it as soon as possible. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Possible Side Effects

Stop taking Propecia and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
Other, less serious side effects have been reported but usually resolve with continued treatment.

Continue to take Propecia and notify your doctor if you experience:

-decreased libido (sex drive);
-decreased volume of ejaculate;
-impotence (trouble getting or keeping an erection); or
-breast tenderness or enlargement.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Storage

Store Propecia at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) in a tightly closed container, away from moisture.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. Symptoms of a Propecia overdose are not known.