FINASTERIDE IS FOR USE BY MEN ONLY.

What the medication is used for:

FINASTERIDE is used for the treatment of male pattern hair loss (also known as androgenetic alopecia).

What it does

FINASTERIDE blocks an important enzyme (Type II 5-alpha-reductase) involved in the regulation of the hair follicle and lowers the levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the scalp, a major cause of male pattern hair loss.

When it should not be used

Do not take FINASTERIDE if you think you are allergic to any of its ingredients.

Women and children should not take FINASTERIDE. Do not take FINASTERIDE if you are or may potentially be pregnant (see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Pregnancy).

What the medicinal ingredient is

Finasteride

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS:

BEFORE you use FINASTERIDE talk to your physician or pharmacist about any medical problems you have or have had, especially liver disease, and about any allergies.

Finasteride 5 mg (5 times the dose of FINASTERIDE for treatment of male pattern hair loss) may increase the chance of a more serious form of prostate cancer.

Pregnancy

Women who are or may potentially be pregnant must not use FINASTERIDE. They should also not handle crushed or broken tablets of FINASTERIDE. If the active ingredient in FINASTERIDE is absorbed after oral use or through the skin by a woman who is pregnant with a male baby, it may cause the male baby to be born with abnormalities of the sex organs. FINASTERIDE tablets are coated and will prevent contact with the active ingredient during normal handling, provided that the tablets are not broken or crushed. If a woman who is pregnant comes into contact with the active ingredient in FINASTERIDE, a physician should be consulted.

INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION:

FINASTERIDE usually does not interfere with other medicines. However, you should always tell your physician about all medicines you are taking or plan to take, including those obtained without prescription.

FINASTERIDE can affect a blood test called PSA (prostate-specific antigen) used for the screening of prostate cancer. If you have a PSA test done, you should tell your physician that you are taking FINASTERIDE.

PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION:

Overdose

In case of drug overdose, contact a health care practitioner, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

When can I expect to see results from using FINASTERIDE?

Male pattern hair loss is a condition that develops over a long period of time. On average, healthy hair grows only about 1 cm each month. Therefore, it will take time to see any effect. In general, daily use for three months or more may be necessary before you notice that hair growth is increased, or further hair loss is prevented.

How long do I need to use FINASTERIDE?

FINASTERIDE can only work over the long-term if you continue taking it.

SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM:

Like any medicine, FINASTERIDE may cause side effects.

Common side effects:

  • less desire to have sex;
  • difficulty in achieving an erection;
  • problems with ejaculation, such as a decrease in the amount of semen released during sex (this does not appear to interfere with normal sexual function).

In clinical studies, these side effects disappeared in men who stopped taking FINASTERIDE and in most men who continued treatment.

In general use, the following have been reported infrequently:

  • breast enlargement (swelling) and/or tenderness;
  • depression;
  • decrease in sex drive that continued after stopping the medication;
  • allergic reactions including rash, itching, hives, and swelling of the lips, tongue, throat and face;
  • muscle injury, muscle pain, muscle weakness, abnormal test results (CK elevation);
  • problems with ejaculation that continued after stopping the medication;
  • testicular pain;
  • blood in semen
  • difficulty in achieving an erection that continued after stopping the medication;
  • male infertility and/or poor quality of semen. Improvement in the quality of semen has been reported after stopping the medication;
  • male breast cancer.

Talk to your doctor about any changes in your breast such as lumps, pain or nipple discharge. Tell your physician or pharmacist promptly about these or any other unusual symptoms.

Source: Sanis Health Inc. Inc. Product Monograph