Finasteride is an androgen hormone inhibitor used to treat male pattern hair loss IN MEN ONLY. Male pattern hair loss is a common condition in which men experience thinning of the hair on the scalp.Often, this results in a receding hairline and/or balding on the top of the head. These changes typically begin gradually in men in their 20s. Doctors believe male pattern hair loss is due to heredity and is dependent on hormonal effects. Doctors refer to this type of hair loss as androgenetic alopecia.
For 12 months, doctors studied over 1800 men aged 18 to 41 with mild to moderate amounts of ongoing hair loss. Of these men, approximately 1200 with hair loss at the top of the head participated in additional extension studies, resulting in a total study time of up to five years. In general, men who took FINASTERIDE maintained or increased the number of visible scalp hairs and noticed improvement in their hair in the first year. Improvement, compared to the start of the study, was maintained through the remaining years of treatment. Hair counts in men who did not take FINASTERIDE continued to decrease. In one study, patients were questioned on the growth of body hair. Finasteride did not appear to affect hair in places other than the scalp. For most men, Finasteride increases the number of scalp hairs in the first year of treatment, helping to fill in thin or balding areas of the scalp. In addition, men taking Finasteride may note a slowing of hair loss. Although results will vary, generally you will not be able to grow back all of the hair you have lost. There is not sufficient evidence that Finasteride works in the treatment of receding hairline in the temporal area on both sides of the head.
Male pattern hair loss occurs gradually over time. On average, healthy hair grows only about half an inch each month. Therefore, it will take time to see any effect.
You may need to take Finasteride daily for three months or more before you see a benefit. Finasteride can only work over the long term if you continue taking it. If Finasteride has not worked for you in twelve months, further treatment is unlikely to be of benefit. If you stop taking Finasteride, you will likely lose the hair you have gained within 12 months of stopping treatment. You may take Finasteride with or without food. You should discuss this with your doctor. Finasteride is not effective in the treatment of hair loss due to androgenetic alopecia in postmenopausal women. Finasteride should not be taken by women.
Keep Finasteride container and keep the container closed. Store Finasteride in a dry place at room temperature. Finasteride from tablets are coated and will prevent contact with the active ingredient during normal handling, provided that the tablets are not broken or crushed.
Finasteride side effects that may occur while taking FINASTERIDE is a change in sexual function. If Finasteride side effects continues or is bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience the following Finasteride side effects or symptoms of toxicity: skin rash or swelling of lips. If you notice other Finasteride side effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS for FINASTERIDE to work. Do not stop taking FINASTERIDE without checking with your doctor. Stopping FINASTERIDE will result in a return within 12 months to the same amount of baldness as when you started. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are taking this medicine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. ANY WOMAN WHO IS PREGNANT OR WHO MAY BECOME PREGNANT SHOULD NOT HANDLE crushed or broken tablets of FINASTERIDE. If a woman who is pregnant comes in contact with crushed or broken tablets of this medicine, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Follow the directions for using Finasteride Hair Loss Treatment Medication provided by your doctor. THIS MEDICINE COMES WITH A PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. FINASTERIDE may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) in a tightly-closed container, away from moisture. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF FINASTERIDE and you remember the same day, take it as soon as possible. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.