finasteride
n a drug that causes shrinkage of the prostate gland. It is administered by mouth both to relieve the symptoms of urinary retention caused by an enlarged gland obstructing the outflow of urine from the bladder and to reduce the risk of urinary retention. The drug acts by reducing androgenic stimulation of the prostate, inhibiting the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone to its more active metabolite, 5-dehydroxytestosterone (5-DHT), within the gland. It is sometimes also prescribed in men who have recurrent bleeding from the prostate.
Finasteride (Proscar) is used alone or in combination with another medication (doxazosin [Cardura]) to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH, enlargement of the prostate gland). Finasteride is used to treat symptoms of BPH such as frequent and difficult urination and may reduce the chance of acute urinary retention (sudden inability to urinate). It also may decrease the chance that prostate surgery will be needed. Finasteride (Propecia) is also used to treat male pattern hair loss (gradual thinning of the hair on the scalp, leading to a receding hairline or balding on the top of the head in men.) Finasteride (Propecia) has not been shown to treat thinning hair at the temples and is not used to treat hair loss in women or children. Finasteride is in a class of medications called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. Finasteride treats BPH by blocking the body's production of a male hormone that causes the prostate to enlarge. Finasteride treats male pattern hair loss by blocking the body's production of a male hormone in the scalp that stops hair growth.
Full drug information on MedlinePlus →This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy and breastfeeding decisions should always be made with your healthcare provider.
Can taking finasteride affect fertility or make it harder to get pregnant?
It is not known whether finasteride can make it harder for a woman to get pregnant. In men, finasteride has been associated with problems with sexual function and low sperm counts, though sperm levels reportedly improved when the medication was stopped. Anyone with questions about fertility while taking finasteride should discuss them with their healthcare provider.
Does taking finasteride increase the risk of miscarriage?
Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. Studies have not been done to see if taking finasteride could increase the chance of miscarriage. This is a question to discuss with your healthcare provider.
Does taking finasteride increase the risk of birth defects?
The fact sheet explains that about 3 out of 100 babies are born with a birth defect for various reasons. Animal studies have suggested that exposure to large doses of finasteride during the time when fetal sex organs are developing (about 8 to 12 weeks of pregnancy) could increase the chance of certain birth defects of the sex organs in a male fetus, including hypospadias, a shorter anogenital distance, and lower weight of the prostate and seminal vesicles. Finasteride is not recommended for use during pregnancy, and anyone who becomes pregnant while taking it should contact their healthcare provider to discuss the exposure.
Can taking finasteride during pregnancy cause other pregnancy-related complications?
Human studies have not been done to see if finasteride can increase the chance of pregnancy-related problems such as preterm delivery or low birth weight. Experimental animal studies suggest finasteride exposure in pregnancy might increase the chance of preterm delivery and could affect testicular descent in male offspring. Discuss any concerns about pregnancy complications with your healthcare provider.
Can taking finasteride during pregnancy affect the child's brain development, learning, or behavior?
The fact sheet states that studies have not been done in humans to see if finasteride can increase the chance of behavior or learning issues for the child. One animal study reported that finasteride use in pregnancy might affect memory in some exposed offspring. Questions about long-term child development should be brought up with your healthcare provider.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking finasteride?
According to the fact sheet, finasteride use while breastfeeding has not been studied, and no information is available on its transfer into human milk. Because the available information is limited, you should talk with your healthcare provider about all of your breastfeeding questions to help decide what is right for your situation.
Source: National Library of Medicine
finasteride