Finasteride

Sounds like 'fin-AS-ter-ide'

Key points about finasteride

Finasteride is used to treat symptoms of urination (peeing) difficulty in men who have an enlarged prostate.
It can also be used for hair loss in men.
Finasteride is also called Profal®, Propecia® and Ricit®.
Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects.

Finasteride is used to relieve the symptoms of urination (peeing) problems that can happen when you have an enlarged prostate.

It works by reducing the size of your prostate.
It can help symptoms of difficulty in beginning the flow of urine, weak urinary flow, and the need to urinate frequently or urgently (including during the middle of the night).

Read more about enlarged prostate and bladder control problems.

It's also prescribed for hair loss in men, but this isn't funded in Aotearoa New Zealand which means you have to pay for it.

In Aotearoa New Zealand finasteride is available as tablets (1 mg and 5 mg).

For an enlarged prostate the dose is 5 mg once a day
For hair loss the dose is 1 mg once a day.
Always take your finasteride exactly as your doctor has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much finasteride to take, how often to take it, and any special instructions.

Timing: Take finasteride tablets with a glass of water (200-250 mL) at the same time each day.
Swallow the tablets whole.
Food: You can take finasteride with or without food.
Take regularly: To reduce your urinary symptoms, you must keep taking finasteride every day.
Missed dose: If you forget your dose, take it as soon as you remember that day. But if it's nearly time for your next dose, just take the next dose at the usual time. Don't take double the dose.

Note that while your symptoms may start to improve within a few weeks, it can take 6 to 12 months to notice an improvement.

Here are some things to know when you're taking finasteride. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.

Harm to an unborn baby: Finasteride is secreted in semen and it's recommended you use a barrier method of contraception (eg, a condom) if your sexual partner is pregnant or likely to become pregnant.
- Women who are pregnant shouldn't touch the tablets.
Other medicines: Finasteride interacts with some medicines, herbal supplements and rongoā Māori, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting finasteride and before starting any new products.

Like all medicines, finasteride can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine.

Side effects	What should I do?
Less desire for sex (decreased libido) and problems having an erection (impotence)	Tell your doctor if this bothers you.
Swollen breasts, lumps in your breasts, pain or discharge from the nipples.	Tell your doctor. Cases of male breast cancer have been reported so it’s important to seek help if you have any of these symptoms.
Mood changes, anxiety, depression, or worsening depression, low mood, aggressive tendencies, thoughts or talk of suicide and self-harm.	If you experience any of these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately or ring Healthline on 0800 611 116.

Bladder control problems
Prostate enlargement (Mate repe tātea)
Hair loss treatment

The following links provide further information on finasteride. Be aware that websites from other countries may contain information that differs from Aotearoa New Zealand recommendations.

Finasteride(external link) NZ Formulary
Finasteride(external link) Patient Info (UK)
Finasteride(external link) MotherToBaby, US
APO-Finasteride 5 for prostate enlargement(external link) NPS, AUS (note this brand is not available in NZ)
Profal for hair loss (external link) Consumer Information Sheet, NZ