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Introduction About FINPECIA
FINPECIA contains Finasteride which belongs to the group of medicines called 5-Alpha reductase inhibitors. It is used to manage hair loss (male pattern baldness) in men. Male pattern baldness (also known as androgenetic alopecia) is a common type of hair loss that primarily affects the hairs present in the crown and at the front portion of the scalp. It happens mainly due to hormonal imbalance and is often characterized by baldness and thinning of hair.
Finasteride increases hair growth on the scalp. It works by blocking the production of certain stress hormones (dihydrotestosterone) in the body, that causes hair loss. As a result, it reverses balding process and manages further hair loss in men. At higher doses, it may also be effective in managing prostate problems such as benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Before taking FINPECIA inform your doctor if you are already taking finasteride or other similar medicines (Ex. dutasteride) to manage benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate). It is not suitable for use in women and in children aged below 18 years. Pregnant women should not come in contact with FINPECIA as it may harm the growing baby. FINPECIA is generally well tolerated. However, it may cause mild sexual side effects like decrease in libido or problems in erection or semen release. These side effects are usually temporary and gets reversed once the therapy is discontinued. However, contact your doctor if they trouble you.
Uses Of FINPECIA
- Manage hair loss (male pattern baldness) in adult men
How FINPECIA Works
FINPECIA reduces hair fall and increases hair growth on the scalp. It works by blocking the production of certain stress hormones (dihydrotestosterone) in the body, that causes hair loss, thereby reversing balding process and manages further hair loss in men.
How to use FINPECIA
Take FINPECIA as advised by your doctor. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. FINPECIA can be taken with or without food. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition. Do not stop taking FINPECIA without consulting your doctor.
Side Effects Of FINPECIA
Uncommon
- problems in erection (impotence)
- decrease in sex drive
- problems with ejaculation
Stop taking FINPECIA and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
- signs of severe allergic reaction (such as skin rash, itching, swelling of your lips, face, tongue and throat which may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing)
- feeling depressed with suicidal thoughts
- signs of breast cancer (such as breast enlargement with pain, presence of lumps in the breast, or discharge from nipple)
Warning & Precautions
Pregnancy
ContraindicatedFINPECIA is not intended for use in women. Women who are pregnant or think that they may be pregnant should not come into contact with this medicine, as it may affect the growing fetus.
Breastfeeding
ContraindicatedFINPECIA is not intended for use in women, and therefore it should not be used in breastfeeding women.
Driving and Using Machines
Use with CautionFINPECIA does not affect your ability to drive or handle any heavy tools or machinery.
Liver
Use with CautionFINPECIA should be used with caution in patients having liver problems. Consult your doctor for advice before taking.
Allergy
ContraindicatedDo not take FINPECIA if you are allergic to Finasteride.
Use In Pediatrics
ContraindicatedFINPECIA is generally not recommended for in children and adolescents (below 18 years) due to lack of safety data. Consult your doctor before for advice taking.
Use In Geriatrics
Use with CautionFINPECIA should be used with caution in elderly patients. Therefore, consult your doctor for advice before taking.
Others
Before taking FINPECIA, inform your doctor if you:
- have benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlargement of prostate)
- are going to have a blood test for screening prostate cancer (Ex. prostate-specific antigen (PSA))
- are already taking finasteride to manage benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate)
Interactions
A. Drug-Drug interactions
Before taking FINPECIA, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines such as:
- medicines used to manage benign prostatic hyperplasia (Ex. dutasteride)
Overdosage:
If you or anyone else accidentally took more FINPECIA, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital.
Synopsis
| Drug | : | Finasteride |
| Pharmacological Category | : | Type II 5-alpha reductase inhibitors |
| Therapeutic Indication | : | Male pattern baldness |
| Dosage Forms | : | Tablet, Gel |
More Information
- Keep FINPECIA out of reach of children
- Store at room temperature
FAQs About FINPECIA
Q: Can FINPECIA regrow hair?
A: Yes. FINPECIA contains Finasteride which helps in hair growth and manages hair loss. It increases hair growth on the scalp which helps in reversing balding process. It reduces hair thinning and stops hair fall by blocking the production of certain stress hormones (dihydrotestosterone) in the body, that causes hair loss.
Q: Will taking a higher dose of FINPECIA can improve my hair growth faster?
A: No. Do not consume a higher dose of FINPECIA without consulting your doctor. Your doctor will analyze your medical condition and would prescribe a dose that suits your requirements. Moreover, a higher dose of finasteride may be used in the management of Benign Prostrate Hypertrophy (BPH; an enlarged prostrate) or other penile related complications.
Q: Will FINPECIA regrow hair in a bald scalp?
A: FINPECIA can only help in managing mild to moderate hair loss. It may not be suitable to manage complete hair loss or baldness. However, consult your doctor for advice before taking.
Q: Will taking FINPECIA affects my sexual life?
A: FINPECIA is generally well tolerated. However, it may affect fertility and cause mild sexual side effects like decrease in libido or problems in erection or semen release. These side effects are usually temporary and gets reversed once the therapy is discontinued. However, contact your doctor if they trouble you.
Q: How long will it take for FINPECIA to stop hair loss?
A: It may take around three to six months for FINPECIA to show results. However, this period may differ based on the patient’s condition. Your doctor will help you to assess for how long FINPECIA must be taken to notice results.
Q: Can patients take FINPECIA and plan to become a father simultaneously?
A: Studies have shown that finasteride can pass through semen and can cause severe fetal abnormalities to the growing baby. Therefore, men taking FINPECIA are generally not advised to father or plan to father a child. If you wish to become father, consult your doctor for an alternative therapy.
Q: What precautions need to be followed while taking FINPECIA?
A: It is important to take FINPECIA as directed by your physician. Take it regularly at the same time each day to achieve maximum results. It takes for almost 3-6 months for FINPECIA to show results and therefore consistent usage is very important. Inform your doctor if you have any other prostate problems and taking medicines for it before taking FINPECIA.
Q: Are the side effects of FINPECIA permanent?
A: No. The side effects like decrease in libido, erectile dysfunction or ejaculation problems caused by FINPECIA are only temporary and usually reversible within 5 days of stopping the management. Contact your doctor if the symptom bothers you.
Q: Can FINPECIA be taken by patients below 18 years?
A: No. FINPECIA is generally not recommended for use in children and adolescents (below 18 years). However, consult your doctor for advice before taking.
Q: Can I stop taking FINPECIA by my own?
A: No. Do not stop taking FINPECIA on your own without consulting your doctor. It should be taken regularly on the same time each day as advised by your physician. Even if you experience hair growth after taking FINPECIA, you must not stop taking FINPECIA without consulting your doctor. If you stop taking abruptly you may lose the regrown hair within few months.
Q: What can be done if I forgot to take a dose?
A: If you missed to take FINPECIA at the usual time, take it immediately as soon as you remember until it’s time for the next dose. Do not take a double dose of FINPECIA to compensate the missed dose.
Q: Can I use FINPECIA without consulting doctor?
A: No. FINPECIA should be used only after consulting your doctor. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.
Q: Can FINPECIA be used in women?
A: No. FINPECIA is not suitable for use in women. It is only intended for use in men.
Q: Will the use of FINPECIA affect the hair on other parts of your body?
A: No. FINPECIA does not induce hair growth in any other part of the body apart from scalp. If you experience any excessive hair growth in other body parts, consult your doctor for advice.
References
1. K.D. Tripathi. Androgens and Drugs for Erectile Dysfunction. Essentials of medical pharmacology. Seventh edition. 2013. Page – 302-303.
2. Roberts JL, Fiedler V, Imperato-McGinley J, Whiting D, Olsen E et al. Clinical dose ranging studies with finasteride, a type 2 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, in men with male pattern hair loss. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. October 1999. [Accessed on 2nd May 2022] https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(99)80052-8/pdf
3. Organon Pharma (UK) Limited. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC) [Revised in February 2021] [Accessed on 2nd May 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.2194.pdf
4. Accord Healthcare Limited. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC) [Revised in December 2019] [Accessed on 2nd May 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.6044.pdf
5. Aurobindo Pharma. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. [Revised in July 2021] [Accessed on 2nd May 2022] https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=7d140366-2388-488e-bd86-67e6edf44345&type=pdf
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