Propecia Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Propecia Tablet (finasteride) is a prescription medicine for men that treats male pattern hair loss. It is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor taken as a film-coated tablet once a day. It is not for use by women or children.

What is Propecia Tablet

Propecia is a prescription medicine for men that treats male pattern hair loss. It comes as a film-coated tablet taken by mouth once a day. It is not for use by women or children.

Propecia Tablet uses

• Treatment of male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) on the top of the head (vertex) and the front-middle part of the scalp, in men only

Benefits of Propecia Tablet

• Slows down further hair loss with regular use
• Can lead to thicker, fuller-looking hair over time
• May help regrow some hair on top of the head by reactivating shrunken hair follicles
• Can be used together with other hair loss treatments

How Propecia Tablet works

Propecia blocks an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, which normally turns the hormone testosterone into another hormone called DHT. High DHT levels in the scalp are linked to hair follicles shrinking and hair loss. By lowering DHT, Propecia helps slow hair loss and can support hair regrowth.

Propecia Tablet dosage

Take Propecia at the same time each day, with or without food, and swallow it with a full glass or small amount of water. Do not take more than one dose a day; taking it more often will not make it work faster or better. It may take three months or longer of daily use before you notice a benefit. Keep taking it regularly to keep the benefit going, since stopping treatment leads to loss of the benefit within about a year. Women and children should not take this medicine, and women who are or may become pregnant should not handle broken or crushed tablets.

Available forms and strengths

• Film-coated tablets (1 mg)

Side effects of Propecia Tablet

Common

• Decreased interest in sex
• Trouble getting or keeping an erection
• Trouble having an orgasm
• Abnormal ejaculation or decreased amount of semen
• Breast swelling or tenderness

Serious

• Signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Breast lumps, pain, nipple discharge, or other breast changes, which may signal male breast cancer
• Blood in semen
• Pain in the testicles
• Depression or suicidal thoughts
• Changes in liver function shown by a blood test
• Persistent sexual side effects that continue after stopping the medicine
• Male infertility or poor quality of semen

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine should never be given to women or children.
• The medicine can be absorbed through skin, and if a pregnant woman touches a broken or crushed tablet, she should wash the area with soap and water right away, since it can harm a male unborn baby.
• Using this medicine may raise the risk of a more serious, high-grade form of prostate cancer.
• This medicine lowers PSA blood test levels used to screen for prostate cancer, so any rise in PSA while taking it should be checked by a doctor even if it looks normal.
• Mood changes, depression, and rarely suicidal thoughts have been reported; stop the medicine and contact your doctor if these occur.
• Sexual side effects may continue even after you stop taking this medicine.
• Do not share this medicine with anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar.
• This medicine must not be used by women who are or may become pregnant. It can cause birth defects in a male baby if a pregnant woman is exposed to it. Women who are or may become pregnant should not touch broken or crushed tablets.
• No dose change is needed for people with kidney problems. People with liver problems should use this medicine carefully, since it is broken down mainly in the liver. Tell your doctor if you have liver disease or abnormal liver test results.
• This medicine is not likely to affect your ability to drive or use tools or machines.

Storage

• Store this medicine at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.
• Keep the tablets in the original container, tightly closed when not in use.
• Store this medicine below 30°C.
• Do not use PROPECIA after the expiry date (exp. date) that appears on the pack.
• Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor right away if you notice any breast lumps, pain, nipple discharge, or other breast changes, since these could be signs of male breast cancer.
• Tell your doctor right away if you notice blood in your semen, testicle pain, or depression.
• If you take too much or a child accidentally swallows this medicine, go immediately to a doctor or hospital emergency room and bring the medicine package with you.

Alternatives

• Minoxidil Tablet/Topical
• Biotin Supplements
• Hair Growth Supplements