Proscar (Finasteride) 5mg

Proscar general information

What is Proscar used for?

Proscar 5mg tablets are used to treat symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH or enlarged prostate) to shrink the prostate and reduce the risk of urinary retention caused by restricted urine flow as the prostate becomes enlarged. Improving symptoms of BPH with Proscar 5mg tablets also reduces and the need for surgery. As a side effect of its intended use, Proscar 5mg tablets are also used to treat male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) by increasing hair growth and preventing further hair loss from all areas of the scalp, including the front. This can reverse balding in men with mild to moderate hair loss but does not restore hair that has been lost for a long time. Proscar 5mg tablets are not used to treat hair loss in women.

How does Proscar work?

Proscar 5mg tablets contains finasteride 5 mg that specifically inhibits the action of the enzyme type II 5α-reductase that converts the male hormone testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the androgen primarily responsible for development and growth of the prostate gland. DHT also causes benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH or enlarged prostate) and Proscar 5mg tablets reduce the levels of DHT in the blood, so that prostate growth is no longer stimulated in men with BPH allowing the enlarged prostate to shrink. DHT, which is also found in hair follicles, is the androgen responsible for hair loss, as it causes hair follicles in the scalp to gradually shrink producing smaller and thinner hairs, which eventually do not emerge from the follicle. Proscar 5mg tablets reverse the balding process as it blocks the build up of DHT in the hair follicles of the scalp, allowing the hair to grow normally.

What does Proscar contain?

Proscar 5mg tablets contain the active ingredient finesteride 5mg, which is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH or enlarged prostate) and reverses the balding process in male pattern hair loss. They also contain: lactose, pregelatanised maize (corn) starch, sodium starch glycollate, iron oxide yellow CI77492, docusate sodium, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, hydroxypropylcellulose, titanium dioxide, talc, indigo carmine CI73015 (aluminium lake).

Treating Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia with Proscar

Proscar 5mg tablets contain finesteride 5mg, which is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH or enlarged prostate). Proscar 5mg tablets specifically inhibit the action of the enzyme type II 5α-reductase that converts the male hormone testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the androgen primarily responsible for development and growth of the prostate gland. Proscar 5mg tablets reduce the levels of DHT in the blood, so that prostate growth is no longer stimulated and the prostate shrinks, reducing the risk of urinary retention and restricted urine flow caused by an enlarged prostate. Treating BPH with Proscar 5mg tablets improves symptoms and reduces the need for surgery.

Treating hair loss with Proscar

Proscar 5mg tablets contain finesteride 5mg, used to treat male pattern hair loss. Proscar 5mg tablets specifically inhibits the action of the enzyme type II 5α-reductase that converts the male hormone testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is found in hair follicles and is the androgen that is responsible for hair loss. DHT causes hair follicles in the scalp to gradually shrink producing smaller and thinner hairs, which eventually do not emerge from the follicle. Proscar 5mg tablets reverse the balding process as it blocks the build up of DHT in the hair follicles of the scalp, allowing the hair to grow normally. The correct dose of finasteride for hair loss is 1mg, which means that you would need to cut the Proscar 5mg tablet into a quarter. However, Inhouse pharmacy does not recommend this as the tablets crumble when cut and you may end up taking an inaccurate dose. We therefore recommend that you take 1mg Finpecia for hair loss.

What are the side effects of Proscar?

Proscar 5mg tablets is generally well tolerated but it is always possible that you may experience side effects, which are usually milda and include: temporary impotence (whilst continuing on treatment), decreased amount of semen and low libido. Less common side effects include breast tenderness and enlargement (gynecomastia), itchy skin rash, hypersensitivity reaction (swelling of the face or lips) and testicular pain.

When should Proscar not be used?

You should not use Proscar if you:

• are a woman, Proscar is not intended for use by women and can be harmful to an unborn child
• are allergic to Proscar or any other medication containing finasteride

How should Proscar be taken?

You should take Proscar 5mg tablets with a glass of water once a day with or without food, for up to 6 months or longer, as recommended by your doctor.

How long should you take Proscar?

You should continue to take Proscar 5mg tablets for as long as your doctor recommends. This may be for 3 months or longer. It can take several months for new hair to grow and if you stop taking your Proscar 5mg tablets tablets during this time, hair loss may resume. It can take 6 months or more for Proscar 5mg tablets to improve symptoms of BPH, as the prostate shrinks slowly and if you stop taking your Proscar 5mg tablets tablets during this time, your prostate make start to grow again.

Missed dose of Proscar

If you miss a dose of Proscar 5mg tablets take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Proscar be stored?

Keep your Proscar 5mg tablets in their blister packs and store in cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Keep away from direct sunlight.