* Women who are or who may become pregnant must not handle crushed or broken Propecia tablets. The medication could be absorbed through the skin. Propecia is known to cause birth defects in a developing male baby. Exposure to whole tablets should be avoided whenever possible, however exposure to whole tablets is not expected to be harmful as long as the tablets are not swallowed.

What is Propecia?

* Propecia prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. DHT is involved in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and hair loss.
* Propecia is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate). Propecia is also used to reduce hair loss due to male pattern baldness.
* Propecia may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Propecia?

* Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver disease. You may not be able to take Propecia, or you may need a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment.
* Propecia is intended for use by men only.
* Propecia is not indicated for use by women. Do not take or handle this medication if you are pregnant or are could become pregnant during treatment. Propecia is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that it is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Women who are or who may become pregnant must not handle crushed or broken Propecia tablets. The medication could be absorbed through the skin. Propecia is known to cause birth defects in a developing male baby. Exposure to whole tablets should be avoided whenever possible, however exposure to whole tablets is not expected to be harmful as long as the tablets are not swallowed.
* It is not known whether Propecia passes into breast milk. Propecia is not intended for use by women. Do not take this medication if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Propecia (Finasteride) is beside Rogaine (Minoxidil) the only FDA approved drug against hair loss. It works by blocking a major part of the DHT hormone production. DHT is one of the reasons why men loose hair because it makes your hair follicles to shrink and therefore produce thinner hair or no hair at all anymore. Propecia reduces DHT levels so that the hair folicles can recover and produce more hair again.

Propecia side effects happen in less then 2% of men and go away when you stop using the drug. Although very uncommon they can be disturbing because they are of sexual nature. The side effects can be less desire and problems achieving an erection. There might also be a decrease in semen production. The side effects go away when you stop taking Propecia. These side effects also decreased to 0.3% of men or less by the fifth year of treatment.

Propecia can also affect a blood test called PSA (prostate-specific antigen) for the screening of prostate cancer. If you have a such a test done then inform your doctor that you are taking Propecia.

Other side effects are allergic reactions like itching, rash, hives, swelling of the lips and face, breast tenderness and enlargement and testicular pain. If you notice some of these side effects then consult with your doctor.

There are no long term side effects of Propecia known other than the ones mentioned above. The Propecia alternative Rogaine with the active component Minoxidil also blocks DHT but since it is applied to the head and not taken orally like Propecia the only side effects are a possible itching of the scalp.

Propecia works best for the vertex (top of the head) area. As for the vertex area clinical studies have shown that 2 out of 3 men could stop hair loss and regrow hair. Propecia is also effective for the anterior mid-scalp (middle front of the head) area. It is not very effective in other areas of the head. It is not for women.

Propecia is no over-night hair loss remedy. You must take the drug at least 3-6 months before you can see results. It’s recommended that you take Propecia at least for one year to see if it works for you or not. Since you can stop the uncommon and mostly harmless side effects of Propecia buy simply stopping to take the drug, you should give it a try.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking finasteride?

Before taking finasteride, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this medication, or to a similar medicine called dutasteride (Avodart). Also tell your doctor if you have:

*liver disease, or abnormal liver enzyme tests;
*prostate cancer;
*a bladder muscle disorder;
*stricture of your urethra; or
*if you are unable to urinate.

Finasteride should never be taken by a woman or a child. Finasteride can be absorbed through the skin, and women or children should not be permitted to handle finasteride capsules. Although finasteride is not for use by women, this medication can cause birth defects if a woman is exposed to it during pregnancy. Finasteride capsules should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or who may become pregnant. If a woman accidentally comes into contact with this medication from a broken or crushed tablet, wash the area with soap and water right away.

How to buy Propecia online

How should I take finasteride?

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

Finasteride can be taken with or without food.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your doctor will also test your prostate specific antigen (PSA) to check for prostate cancer. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

It is important to use finasteride regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of finasteride is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.

NEWS

Drug Is Approved to Treat Prostate Patients

Published: June 21, 1992

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the marketing of a new drug for treatment of men who have symptom’s from enlarged prostate glands, its manufacturer, Merck & Company of Rahway, N.J., said yesterday.

The approval for the drug, Proscar, came late Friday night, a spokesman for Merck said. Many men using the drug may be able to postpone or avoid surgery for the common ailment. The drug’s generic name is finasteride. It will be available in late July.

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland in the pelvis; it produces fluid that helps to nourish and transport sperm. The prostate surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder through the penis. As men age, for unknown reasons, noncancerous tumors often enlarge the prostate and can block the flow of urine through the urethra, leading to more frequent urination and other symptoms.

The symptoms become increasingly common in men over 50 years old.

Food and Drug Administration officials could not be reached for comment. Analysts have said projected sales could reached $500 million a year. Tags:How to buy Propecia online