Propecia (finasteride) is an efficient drug used to treat male pattern baldness that most often affects mid-scalp area and vertex. As the hair is getting thinner and weaker a bald spot is likely to form with the function of hair follicles being impaired. This medicine is supposed to be taken for the rest of your life to make sure you benefit from it. That is why it’s important to discuss any medical conditions you have with your health care provider to make sure you will not have to suddenly stop the treatment because of your symptoms. Unless you notice any effects of Propecia after 12 months of the treatment inform your doctor about it. In most cases you will notice some hair growth on the bald spot after 3 to 4 months from the moment you started the treatment. Pregnant women must not be allowed to handle crushed tablets of Propecia as the active ingredient can easily get absorbed into the skin causing serious birth defects in babies and affecting the health condition of nursing infants.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember about it, unless it’s almost time for the next dose. In that case just skip the dose you missed and carry on with your usual schedule. Some of the side effects Propecia can cause include decreased sexual desire, inability to obtain an erection (impotence), pain in the testicles and deceased amount of semen. These side effects are well tolerated and are short-lived – they are likely to go away after your body adjusts to the drug. To make sure you benefit from the treatment the doctor my start you on a low dosage of Propecia. This way the likelihood of any side effects is minor, but your dosage may be later increased if you do not benefit from taking Propecia. If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact your local emergency center to prevent dangerous symptoms from occurring.
Brand names: Propecia, Proscar, Fincar, Finpecia, Finax, Finast, Finara, Finalo, Prosteride, Gefina, Appecia, Finasterid IVAX, Finasterid Alternova
Generic names: Finasteride
