Fincar (Finasteride)

General information

Finasteride is a synthetic 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. Finasteride is proved to be effective in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and male pattern baldness. Finasteride helps to reduce the symptoms related to BPH such as difficulty and frequent urinating, awakening during the night in order to urinate, hesitation before urination, decreased urinary flow.

Directions

Determine a proper dose for you and intake schedule with a doctor. Carefully follow all directions. Avoid exceeding your dose or taking the medication longer than it was advised. Do not chew or break the pill, swallow it whole with a full glass of water, with or without food. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids, meals, food supplements and other medications you are allowed to take concurrently with this product.

Precautions

Notify your doctor of any other medications that you are taking besides this one. Taking this medication with a certain class of other medicines may result in increasing or decreasing the effects of the treatment. Before you start taking this product, check with your doctor if you are allergic to Finasteride or Dutasteride. Pregnant women should not use this medication as it can be absorbed through skin and can cause abnormalities of a male baby. This medication is also prescribed cautiously in case of hepatic insufficiency.

Contraindications

This medication is contraindicated in pregnant/nursing women and children and patients displaying individual intolerance to Finasteride.

Possible side effect

Most common side effects may include vertigo, somnolency, fatigue, skin rash, itching, redness, dry mouth, sleeping disorder, blurred vision, problems with ejaculation. You must immediately stop taking Fincar in case you experience any serious side effects such as severe vertigo and fainting, a painful erection that lasts for more than 4 hours, serious allergic reactions (swelling of your lips, face, throat and tongue; urticaria), testicular pain, erectile dysfunction, impotence. This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Others may occur in some patients and there may be some side effects not known yet. In case you have experienced any side effect not listed above, immediately notify your doctor or local poison centre. Elderly patients are more sensitive to experience an adverse drug response. Turn to your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Drug interactions

This medication can interact with anticoagulating agents (warfarin) and antidiabetic drugs via increasing their effect.

Missed dose

If you have missed your dose, take it as soon as possible. In case it is near the time for the next dose, avoid taking the missed dose and keep your ordinary dosing schedule. Avoid compensating a missed dose by taking an extra one.

Overdose

If you think you overdosed the medicine, immediately contact your local poison center. Most regular side effects of overdose include vertigo, somnolency, syncope, chest pain, palpitations. This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Others may occur in some patients and there may be some side effects not known yet. In case you have experienced any side effect not listed above, immediately notify your doctor.

Storage

This medication should be stored at room temperature between 68-77 F (20-25 degrees C) away from sources of light, heat and moisture. Avoid storing it in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.