There can be birth defects in male fetuses with the finasteride. The pregnant women should not use this medication.

This medicine belongs to the enzyme inhibitor and it is used for the treatment of the urinary problems due to prostate enlargement. There can be decrease flow of urination in mend with enlarged prostates and mild symptoms of urinating. There can be hesitation in the urination and this problem can be resolved by the finsteride. You can also reduce chances of prostate surgery with the finasteride.

The 5-alpha reductase enzymes are blocked by the finasteride which are required to change the testosterone to other hormones which can cause prostate enlargement due to which prostate size is decreased. This medicine has its effects as long as it is taken. This medicine may also be used for the hair growth but hair growth happens after three months of taking this medicine. If you stop the treatment of the finasteride then the new hair will be lost within one year. You should use finasteride only on the prescription of your doctor.

Finasteride is available in the tablet form.

You should consider following things before taking finasteride.

Allergies

If you have any allergic reaction then you should tell your doctor before taking this medicine. You should read the label of package ingredients for non prescription products. You should inform your doctor allergies such as to food, dyes or animals.

Geriatric

This medicine has not shown any side effects or other problems in older people as compared to the younger adults.

Pregnancy

There can be fetal abnormalities in the pregnant women with this medicine therefore this medicine should not be used by the pregnant women.

Breastfeeding

There are no infant risks studied during breastfeeding of this medication. You should make sure about the benefits and risks of this medication before taking while breastfeeding.

Drug interaction

There can be risks of certain side effects of using finasteride with other medications. There can be some changes in dose of if both medicines are prescribed together. This medicine has interaction with St John’s Wort.

You should not use certain medicines while you are eating as there can be chances of interactions. There can be interactions if you use alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines. You should consult your doctor for the use of medicine with food, alcohol or tobacco.

Proper Use

You can crush finasteride tablets for better swallow but pregnant women should not handle crushed tablets of finasteride. It is good for you to take this medicine at the same time each day. You can use this medicine to reduce the size of prostate and you should take this medicine to for at least six months for full effect. You should not stop taking this medicine before consulting your doctor. You can also reduce urinary problems with this medicine.

You have to take this medicine for three months if you are using it for the hair growth to see effects. If you stop finasteride then you will lose your hair within one year.

Dosing

You should follow your doctor’s directions for the dose of finasteride as there can be different dose for different patients. The strength of medicine will determine amount of medicine. It all depends on your medical problem to find out time length of timebetween your doses and time of dose. You can use tablets for oral dosage, benign prostatic hyperplasia. The adults should use 5mg daily 1 mg for hair growth.

Missed Dose

You should take missed dose when you remember but skip it if it is time for the next dose. You should not take extra dose to make up the missed dose.

Storage

You should store this medicine at rooms temperature, and away from heart, moisture and children.

Precautions

The pregnant women should not use crushed finasteride tablets as these tablets can cause birth defects in male fetus.

Side Effects

There can be some side effects of this medication and you should contact your doctor immediately in these conditions. The less common side effects include skin rash and swelling of lips. There can be some side effects during treatment which don’t need medical attention. These side effects include abdominal pain, back pain decreased libido and decreased volume of ejaculate as these side effects are rare.