Proscar (Finasteride) - Summary

PROSCAR SUMMARY

Why your doctor has prescribed PROSCAR

PROSCAR (finasteride), a synthetic 4-azasteroid compound, is a specific inhibitor of steroid Type II 5(alpha)-reductase, an intracellular enzyme that converts the androgen testosterone into 5(alpha)-dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

PROSCAR is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate to:

• Improve symptoms
• Reduce the risk of acute urinary retention
• Reduce the risk of the need for surgery including transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and prostatectomy.

PROSCAR administered in combination with the alpha-blocker doxazosin is indicated to reduce the risk of symptomatic progression of BPH (a confirmed >/=4 point increase in AUA symptom score).

See all Proscar indications & dosage >>

PROSCAR NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Proscar (Finasteride)

Long-term treatment with finasteride results in a clinically significant reduction in total prostate volume compared to placebo over the full range of baseline prostate sizes in men enrolled in the MTOPS trial. [2008.09]

The effect of 5alpha-reductase inhibition with dutasteride and finasteride on bone mineral density, serum lipoproteins, hemoglobin, prostate specific antigen and sexual function in healthy young men. [2008.06]

Finasteride and high-grade prostate cancer in the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial. [2007.09.19]

Detection bias due to the effect of finasteride on prostate volume: a modeling approach for analysis of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial. [2007.09.19]

Prediction of prostate cancer for patients receiving finasteride: results from the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial. [2007.07.20]

more >>

Clinical Trials Related to Proscar (Finasteride)

A Phase III, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Proscar in Men With Initial Negative Prostate Biopsies [Not yet recruiting]

Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Preoperative Finasteride in Patients Undergoing Transurethral Resection of The Prostate [Not yet recruiting]

Fed Study of Finasteride Tablets 5 mg and Proscar® Tablets 5 mg [Completed]

Fasting Study of Finasteride Tablets 5 mg and Proscar Tablets 5 mg [Completed]

On Label, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Preoperative Finasteride in Patients Undergoing Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) [Active, not recruiting]

more >>

PROSCAR PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Proscar review by 20 year old male patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Moderately Effective
Side effects:		Mild Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		Hair loss
Dosage & duration:		1.25 mg taken 1/d for the period of 2 years
Other conditions:		none
Other drugs taken:		none
		Reported Results
Benefits:		Immediate slowing of loss, but the benefits waned after the first year.
Side effects:		Mild testicular ache, reduced ejaculate
Comments:		Proscar was cut into 4 pieces and 1.25 mg were taken daily for over 2 years. There was immediate cessation of loss and moderate amounts of regrowth. Return to baseline, and then drastic fall below baseline, was observed in the year subsequent to drug initiation.

Proscar review by 30 year old male patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Highly Effective
Side effects:		No Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		hair loss
Dosage & duration:		1mg taken daily for the period of 1 year
Other conditions:		none
Other drugs taken:		none
		Reported Results
Benefits:		Hair came back from a thinning status and a visible scalp through the hair to a much thicker condition with little visible scalp through the hair.. confidence back. i no longer look older than i feel and think my overall esteem has been improved
Side effects:		ever so mild kidney pain but only when not drinking enough water. so it is hard to say what where really side effects.
Comments:		The cost of the Proscar tablets was around $100 dollars Australian and came in 5mg tablet sizes that each needed to be cut into quarters for the daily dosage of around 1mg. took the tablets every morning around 8am once a day.

Proscar review by 27 year old male patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Considerably Effective
Side effects:		No Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		Hair loss
Dosage & duration:		2.5 mg taken daily for the period of 6 years
Other conditions:		None
Other drugs taken:		Statin
		Reported Results
Benefits:		I have experienced an very noticable decrease in hairloss or progression of male pattern baldness after I started using this product. It was advised to me by a physician friend. It's basicaly the same product as Propesia which are being sold as an chosmetic product at half the dosage and for double the price. I have noticed a severe reduction in hairloss and have actualy grown some hair back.
Side effects:		I was told by my physician friend that the product was completely safe to take and that I should not experience any side effects. I have to admit that I have not experienced any side effects on this product at this dosage at all.
Comments:		The dosage is suppose to be 1mg/day as this is all that's needed by the body. As proscar only comes in 5mg tablets, I broke them in half and therefor took 2.5 mg's per day. Propesia are however sold in 1mg tablets, but as mentioned before, are the exact same product and cost more than double the price as it's being marketed as an cosmetic product.