Finasteride

About this medicine

FINASTERIDE (fi - NAS - teer - ide) is used to treat male pattern baldness in men only. This medicine is not for use by women. For full prescribing information, view the drug label information.

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Trade names

Propecia® (Finasteride) The list of names may not include all products that are available on the market.

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How to take this medicine

• This is an oral tablet taken by mouth once a day.
• You can take it with or without food.
• Try to take your doses at the same time everyday to maximize effectiveness.
• Do not take this medicine more often than directed.
• If a tablet ever becomes crushed or broken, make sure that it is not handled by women.

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What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

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Who should not take this medicine?

This medicine is for men only and should not be taken by women. This medicine can affect hormone levels so it is very important that women who are pregnant or could become pregnant don't handle it, as it can lead to complications with pregnancy.

Do not take this medicine and let your doctor know if you have the following conditions:

• Liver disease or problems
• Kidney problems
• Prostate cancer
• You are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• You are breastfeeding

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to finasteride (including Proscar and Propecia®).

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What should I watch for while using this medicine?

It may take at least 3 months of daily use of this medicine before you notice an improvement in your hair loss. You must continue to take this medicine to maintain the results. If you stop taking this medicine, the effect will be reversed within 12 months.

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Side effects

Like all prescription products, finasteride may cause side effects. Contact your doctor or a health care professional immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Signs of serious allergic reactions like skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, extreme dizziness, difficulty breathing
• Swelling or tenderness in the breasts or pain or fluids leaking from the nipple
• Pain in the testicles
• Inability to urinate
• Depression

Though rare, in clinical trials, 3.8% of male patients noticed some form of sexual side effects (versus 2.1% of patients using the placebo), including less desire for sex, difficulty in achieving an erection, or a decrease in the amount of semen released during sex. This may continue after stopping treatment. This list may not describe all possible side effects.

Contact your doctor if you have additional questions about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Blood donations

Do not donate blood while you are taking this medicine. Ask your doctor or health care professional when it is safe to donate blood after you stop taking this medicine.

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PSA tests

This medicine can interfere with PSA laboratory tests for prostate cancer. If you are scheduled to have a lab test for prostate cancer, tell your doctor or healthcare professional that you are taking this medicine.

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Storage

• Keep out of the reach of children
• Store at room temperature (between 59-86 degrees fahrenheit)
• Protect from moisture and keep container tightly closed
• Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date

Other important information

Medicine may not work

As with almost all medicine, the recommended treatments do not work for every single person. There is a risk the medicine will not work and your hair loss continues. If after more than 4 months your symptoms have not improved, you should consider scheduling an in-person visit with a doctor.

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Inform your healthcare providers

Telemedicine does not replace your primary care physician. It is important to keep your primary care physician and pharmacist informed of all medications you are taking, including those in your Keeps treatment plan, as they can interact with other medicines you may be taking.