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 >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Media Articles Related to Proscar (Finasteride)

Propecia (finasteride) Permanent Sexual Dysfunction Risk
Source: Erectile Dysfunction / Premature Ejaculation News From Medical News Today [2012.07.16]
Hair loss medication, Propecia (finasteride) may be linked to a side effect of sexual dysfunction, a problem which may not go away after treatment has stopped, researchers from George Washington University reported in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. Propecia is a popular medication taken for male pattern hair loss. Michael S...

Recall of Generic Citalopram, Finasteride
Source: MedicineNet finasteride Specialty [2011.03.29]
Title: Recall of Generic Citalopram, Finasteride
Category: Health News
Created: 3/29/2011 11:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 3/29/2011 12:00:00 AM

more news >>

Published Studies Related to Proscar (Finasteride)

Long-term effects of doxazosin, finasteride, and combination therapy on quality of life in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. [2013]
International Prostate Symptom Score [IPSS]-QoL) over 4 years... CONCLUSIONS: QoL of men treated with doxazosin, finasteride, and

Comparison of dutasteride and finasteride for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia: the Enlarged Prostate International Comparator Study (EPICS). [2011.08]
OBJECTIVE: * To assess the efficacy and safety of dutasteride compared with finasteride in treating men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) for 12 months... CONCLUSION: * Dutasteride and finasteride, when administered for 12 months, were similarly effective in reducing prostate volume and improving Q(max) and urinary symptoms associated with BPH in men with an enlarged prostate. (c) 2011 THE AUTHORS. BJU INTERNATIONAL (c) 2011 BJU INTERNATIONAL.

Long-term treatment with finasteride improves clinical progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia in men with an enlarged versus a smaller prostate: data from the MTOPS trial. [2011.04]
PURPOSE: This post hoc analysis of the Medical Therapy of Prostatic Symptoms trial examined the effect of finasteride alone compared to placebo on the clinical progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia in men with a baseline prostate volume less than 30 ml, or 30 ml or greater... CONCLUSIONS: Long-term treatment with finasteride led to a significant beneficial effect compared to placebo on the clinical progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms with an enlarged prostate (baseline prostate volume 30 ml or greater). Finasteride had no significant effect compared to placebo on the clinical progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms with a smaller prostate (baseline prostate volume less than 30 ml). Copyright (c) 2011 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Therapeutic hotline. Genetic variations in the androgen receptor gene and finasteride response in women with androgenetic alopecia mediated by epigenetics. [2011.03]
When studies of postmenopausal women with hair loss failed to reveal a response to the 5 alpha reductase inhibitor, finasteride, researchers began to question the existence of androgenetic alopecia in women and renamed the clinical entity female pattern hair loss... Results of the present pilot study support the hypothesis that AR-CAG repeats, in conjunction with epigenetic factors, can help determine which women with hair loss will respond to finasteride therapy.

Comparative effect of finasteride and dutasteride on chromogranin A levels. [2010.11]
The aim of this study was to verify and to compare in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients, the effect of finasteride versus dutasteride therapy on chromogranin A (CgA) serum levels, as a marker of neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation... CONCLUSION: In this population, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, with no difference between finasteride and dutasteride, produced a significant increase in serum CgA levels, probably related to NE activation.

more studies >>

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]
Twenty percent of men with an initial negative prostate biopsy are found to have cancer on a repeat biopsy. finasteride (a 5-ARI) reduces prostate volume and improves the utility of PSA and DRE. thus, six months of finasteride may improve the detection rate of prostate cancer in men with an initial negative biopsy.

Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Preoperative Finasteride in Patients Undergoing Transurethral Resection of The Prostate [Not yet recruiting]
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a common treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). a common complication of TURP is blood loss. preliminary data suggest that preoperative finasteride, a 5a-reductase inhibitor, may reduce blood loss during TURP. however, no study has examined the effect of preoperative finasteride on clinical outcomes.

Fed Study of Finasteride Tablets 5 mg and Proscar® Tablets 5 mg [Completed]
The objective of this study was to investigate the bioequivalence of Mylan's finasteride 5 mg tablets and Merck's Proscar® 5 mg tablets following a single, oral 5 mg (1 x 5 mg) dose administration under fed conditions.

Fasting Study of Finasteride Tablets 5 mg and Proscar Tablets 5 mg [Completed]
The objective of this study was to investigate the bioequivalence of Mylan's finasteride 5 mg tablets to Merck's Proscar® 5 mg tablets following a single, oral 5 mg (1 x 5 mg) dose administration under fasting conditions.

A Trial of PROSCAR (Finasteride) Versus Placebo in Men With an Initial Negative Prostate Biopsy [Recruiting]
The purpose of this study is to assess whether six months of daily finasteride (PROSCAR), following an initial negative prostate biopsy, will improve the detection of prostate cancer on repeat biopsy.

144 subjects with an initial negative prostate biopsy will be randomized to receive either finasteride or placebo for 6 months. The subjects will undergo a second prostate biopsy following drug intervention. PSA (prostate specific antigen) measurements, testosterone levels, and quality of life questionnaires will also be assessed during the study. The two groups will then be compared.

more trials >>

Reports of Suspected Proscar (Finasteride) Side Effects

Anxiety (61),  Intentional Drug Misuse (53),  Depression (48),  Wrong Technique in Drug Usage Process (43),  Erectile Dysfunction (43),  Libido Decreased (40),  Sexual Dysfunction (38),  Fatigue (33),  Asthenia (33),  Back Pain (24), more >>

PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Proscar review by 67 year old male patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Highly Effective
Side effects:		No Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		bph
Dosage & duration:		one tablet taken daily for the period of 3 years
Other conditions:		gerd
Other drugs taken:		omeprazole
		Reported Results
Benefits:		my urination problems (urgency , frequency , etc ) practically disappeared and I no longer had get off my bed to urinate several times during the night
Side effects:		there were none
Comments:		I took one pill a day every evening with a glass of water after dinner .The treatment was supervised by a proctologist

Proscar review by 32 year old male patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Moderately Effective
Side effects:		Moderate Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		hair loss
Dosage & duration:		2.5 mg per day taken every day for the period of 6 months
Other conditions:		none
Other drugs taken:		none
		Reported Results
Benefits:		in taking finasteride 2.5mg per day for six months i noticed an increase in hair growth of new hairs and existing ones. most of the increased hair growth was in the crown region of the head. There was an increase of hair growth of the front hair line, but it was not substantial. My hair also grew at a faster rate than normal.
Side effects:		the side effects of taking finasteride 2.5mg per day for six month period were feeling dehydrated, having dry mouth. Especially in the morning. I also experienced a lower libido than normal. I also experienced a lower level of energy throught the day. the side effects were not extreme and did go away after discontinuing the treatment.
Comments:		The treatment details were the oral intake of finasteride. I obtained it in the 5mg form known as proscar. I would cut the tablet in half to get a 2.5mg dosage. I took 2.5mg of finasteride every day at night before i went to sleep. If i missed a dosage i waited for the next day to take the next dosage. Taking the whole 5mg dosage per day in my opinion would be to high a dosage. The side effects would increase.

Proscar review by 40 year old male patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Moderately Effective
Side effects:		Severe Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		Hair loss
Dosage & duration:		1mg taken daily for the period of 10 months
Other conditions:		none
Other drugs taken:		inderal for migraine
		Reported Results
Benefits:		I noticed hair regrowth in small amounts but did not know my genitals were shrinking. A friend told me of his testicles shrinking on the drug and so I examined myself and realized that what once was, was no more.
Side effects:		Testiclular Atrophy (permenent shrinkage). I actually have one testicle now smaller than the other. I pray everyday that the pain will go away and that my buddies will come back but I dont think they will. As for penile shrinkage, imagine a button on a sweater. This drug is poison and Im looking for a class action suit. DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG!!!!!!!!
Comments:		1mg a day