Finasteride, Oral, for Alopecia

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is taken by mouth to treat baldness in men. Take it exactly as directed.
• This medicine is for men only. Women who are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breastfeeding should NOT touch this medicine.
• Keep all appointments for tests to see how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: hair growth stimulant

Generic and brand names: finasteride, oral (for alopecia); Propecia

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat alopecia (baldness) in men. It helps to treat thinning hair on the scalp, a receding hairline, and bald spots on the top of the head. There is no evidence that this medicine helps hair regrow on the temples (sides of the head).

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine
• Liver disease

Females of childbearing age: This medicine must not be given to women or children. This medicine is for MEN only. Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant because this medicine may cause a male baby's sex organs to be abnormal. Women who are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breastfeeding should not touch this medicine. If you do, the drug may be absorbed through your skin and could harm a male baby. Do not touch this medicine if you are breast-feeding.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. You may take this medicine with or without food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach.

Do not use this medicine in children under the age of 18.

The tablets are coated to prevent contact of the skin with the active ingredient. Do not cut or crush the tablets.

You may need to take this medicine for 3 months or more before hair growth appears. Taking more than 1 tablet per day will not speed the results. This medicine only helps hair growth while you are taking it. If you stop taking it, you will lose hair again.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

An acute overdose of this medicine is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I watch out for?

Caution: This medicine is for men only. Women and children should not take this medicine.

Women and children should not take this medicine or even handle this medicine. If a woman or child touches the medicine, wash the area with soap and water immediately and contact your healthcare provider.

This medicine can affect a blood test called PSA, which is used for diagnosing prostate cancer. Before you have a PSA test done, be sure the healthcare provider knows you are taking this medicine.

Report any changes in your breasts or testicles to your healthcare provider. Rarely, this medicine has caused male breast cancer. It may also increase your risk for prostate cancer. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

This medicine may cause impotence (trouble having and keeping an erection), decrease your sex drive, or reduce the amount of semen released during sexual intercourse. These effects are usually mild and temporary.

Men taking this medicine should not expose their partners to their semen if their partners are pregnant or can become pregnant, because of the possibility of harm to a male baby. Use a condom or ask your healthcare provider if you should stop taking the medicine. Do not donate blood while you are taking this medicine. Ask your healthcare provider when it is safe to donate again.

Do not give this medicine to anyone else.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Severe pain or swelling in the testicles; breast pain, swelling, lumps, or nipple discharge.

Other: Erectile dysfunction, decreased sex drive, reduced amount of semen released during sexual intercourse, breast tenderness or enlargement in men, depression.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• Natural remedies such as black cohosh, California poppy, coleus, golden seal, hawthorn, periwinkle, saw palmetto, soy isoflavones, and St. John’s wort
• Quinine

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.