name | Finasteride |
form | Oral |
classification | 5-alpha reductase inhibitor |
pharmacokinetics | absorption | Well absorbed after oral administration, reaching peak plasma concentrations within 1-2 hours. | distribution | Distributed throughout the body, with high concentrations in the prostate gland. | metabolism | Primarily metabolized in the liver. | excretion | Excreted mainly in the feces (as metabolites), with a small amount excreted in the urine. |
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suggested dosage | adult male 25 70kg | 5 mg once daily |
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indications | 1 | Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) to reduce the risk of acute urinary retention and the need for surgery. | 2 | Male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in the scalp. |
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safety pregnancy | Category X. Finasteride is absolutely contraindicated in pregnant women or women who may become pregnant. It can cause severe abnormalities in a male fetus. A patient should never handle this medication if pregnant or may become pregnant, and appropriate precautions should be taken. If a woman becomes pregnant while the man is taking this medication, the prescription should be stopped immediately and healthcare should be sought. |
safety breastfeeding | Not recommended. It is not known if finasteride or its metabolites are excreted in human milk. |
side effects | 1 | Decreased libido | 2 | Erectile dysfunction | 3 | Ejaculatory dysfunction | 4 | Gynecomastia (breast enlargement) | 5 | Breast tenderness | 6 | Headache | 7 | Dizziness | 8 | Rash | 9 | Decreased sperm count and/or quality. |
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alternatives | |
contraindications | 1 | Pregnancy or potential for pregnancy (in any female, including partners of male patients) | 2 | Hypersensitivity to finasteride or any of the ingredients |
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interactions | 1 | Potentially interacts with other medications that may affect liver function or enzyme activity. | 2 | Not typically recommended in use with CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers. |
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warnings precautions | 1 | Regular blood tests may be advisable, particularly for monitoring liver function, while on this medication | 2 | Patients should be advised to report any unusual changes in their breasts, or any changes to sexual function, immediately to their healthcare provider | 3 | Long-term use should be carefully evaluated and monitored. |
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additional informations | 1 | Finasteride can reduce prostate size and improve urinary flow, but the full effects may take several months to manifest. | 2 | Careful consideration should be given to potential side effects, especially concerning sexual function. | 3 | Patients with pre-existing conditions that could be affected by finasteride should be informed thoroughly of the possible interactions. |
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