Finasteride is an FDA-approved oral medication for the treatment of male pattern hair loss in men. Finasteride belongs to a class of drugs known as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors and is also sold under the brand name Propecia®.

Nearly all hair loss in men results from male pattern baldness, or androgenic alopecia, and is typically an inherited condition. The natural hair growth cycle weakens and your hair follicles shrink as the condition progresses, causing thinning in your hair. This type of hair loss is related to the production of hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Treatments that inhibit the production of DHT have been shown to slow, stop, or reverse hair loss caused by androgenic alopecia.

Clinical trials of Finasteride showed a significant increase in hair growth in men treated with finasteride compared with placebo in as early as 3 months. After five years of treatment, 90% of men taking Finasteride maintained or increased hair growth. Only 25% of the men taking a placebo maintained or increased hair growth. You can view the entire package insert, including the results of the clinical trials, for more detailed information.

The benefits of Finasteride are only seen in areas of the scalp that are thinning, but where hair is still present.

Some patients begin seeing results within three months, although six months is more typical for most men. Hair growth can continue to improve for 1-2 years of continuous, consistent treatment although some studies indicate the use of finasteride can lead to durable improvements in scalp hair compared to placebo after five years to treatment. It’s important to understand that during the first six months, you may notice some thinning of your existing hair. This is expected and may be due to either (a) the ongoing natural hair loss process, which continues until Finasteride has a chance to reach full effectiveness, or (b) your body shedding older, miniaturized hair from worn-out follicles to make way for newer, healthier hair.

The benefits of Finasteride will diminish significantly once you stop taking the medication. Within 2-6 months after discontinuing treatment, your hair will revert back to what it would have looked like if you had never used the medication.

In the United States, Finasteride is available by prescription only. You will need to be evaluated by a healthcare practitioner to determine if Finasteride is safe and appropriate for you.

No, you should not donate blood while taking Finasteride.

Before taking Finasteride, tell your healthcare provider if you:

• -have any other medical conditions, including problems with your prostate or liver
• -have uncontrolled depression and/or anxiety, or if you have ever had suicidal thoughts
• -take any medicines, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, andherbal supplements

Sexual Side Effects

In the first year, decreased libido was seen in 1.8% of men taking Finasteride versus 1.3% ofmen taking a placebo. Erectile dysfunction was seen in 1.3% of men taking Finasteride versus0.7% of men taking a placebo. Most reported cases of sexual dysfunction occurred within the first year of starting the medication, but there have been reports of sexual dysfunction that occurred at later points in time. Side effects generally disappeared within a few weeks of stopping the medication. There have been reports of sexual side effects persisting after discontinuation of therapy

Psychological Side Effects

An association between suicidality and psychological adverse events with Finasteride use in younger men (under age 45) has been reported. This does not mean that Finasteride causes psychological problems, and the exact nature of the association is not well-understood. However, you still should not start Finasteride if you have uncontrolled depression and/or anxiety or if you have ever had suicidal thoughts, especially if you are under the age of 45.

A blood test that checks for PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels is used for prostate cancer screening. You should always inform your doctor that you are taking Finasteride, asthis will change how PSA test results are interpreted.Screening using PSA levels isstill effective in men taking Finasteride.

You should talk to your doctor about whether you are a candidate for prostate cancer screening. You may be a candidate if you are over 50, or if you have a sibling or father who has had prostate cancer. You should also see your doctor if you are having any problems urinating, such as a weak stream or pain.

Finasteride is safe to use while trying to conceive. While Finasteride does not affect sperm production in healthy men, there are reports of men on Finasteride with pre-existing low sperm quality that improved after stopping taking the medication. If you have had problems with male infertility and wish to conceive, you should consider waiting to start (or temporarily suspending) Finasteride treatment.

Yes. Finasteride can cause birth defects, and women who are pregnant (or might be or are trying to become pregnant) should not even handle Finasteride.

However, Finasteride therapy is still safe for men whose partners are pregnant. If you and your partner have or are trying to conceive, and you want to be extra careful, wash your hands after taking it.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, abnormally low blood pressure, trouble breathing. Stop taking your medication immediately and seek emergency help if you experience any of these effects of an allergic reaction.