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Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.--
In Canada--
Category
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia therapy agent; hair growth
stimulant, alopecia androgenetica (systemic)
Description
Finasteride (fin-AS-tur-ide) belongs to the group of medicines
called enzyme inhibitors. It is used to treat urinary problems caused
by enlargement of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH).
In men with very enlarged prostates and mild to moderate symptoms
(difficulty urinating, decreased flow of urination, hesitation at the
beginning of urination, getting up at night to urinate), finasteride
may decrease the severity of symptoms.
Finasteride blocks an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase, which is
necessary to change testosterone to another hormone that causes the
prostate to grow. As a result, the size of the prostate is decreased.
The effect of finasteride on the prostate lasts only as long as the
medicine is taken. If it is stopped, the prostate begins to grow
again.
Finasteride also is used by some balding men to stimulate hair
growth. If hair growth is going to occur with the use of finasteride,
it usually occurs after the medicine has been used for about 3 months
and lasts only as long as the medicine continues to be used. The new
hair will be lost within 1 year after finasteride treatment is
stopped.
Finasteride is available only with your doctor's prescription, in
the following dosage form:
Oral
- Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
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