Oral Finasteride — Important Safety Information
Finasteride 1 mg for male pattern hair loss. Pregnancy warning (risk to a male fetus). Possible sexual side effects and mood changes; lowers PSA.
What is finasteride?
Finasteride is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor that lowers levels of DHT, a hormone involved in male pattern hair loss. It is FDA-approved at 1 mg once daily (Propecia®) for the treatment of male pattern hair loss in men.
Who should not take finasteride?
- Women who are or may become pregnant.
- Children.
- Anyone with a known allergy to finasteride.
Pregnancy warning
Finasteride can cause abnormalities of the external genitalia of a male fetus. Women who are or may become pregnant should not handle crushed or broken tablets, as the medication can be absorbed through the skin.
How should I take finasteride?
Take one 1 mg tablet by mouth once daily, with or without food. It generally takes 3 months or more of daily use before benefit is seen, and continued use is required to maintain results. If treatment is stopped, any hair regained is typically lost within 12 months.
What should I tell my EOS Health-affiliated provider?
Share all medications and your full medical history, especially: liver disease, prostate conditions, and depression or other mood disorders. Finasteride lowers PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels, which can affect prostate cancer screening — tell any provider who orders a PSA test that you take finasteride.
Most serious side effects
If experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.
- Serious allergic reactions (rash, itching, hives, swelling of the lips or face, trouble breathing).
- Mood changes, including depression and suicidal thoughts.
- Breast changes, such as lumps, pain, enlargement, or nipple discharge — there have been rare reports of male breast cancer.
- Sexual side effects that may persist in some men after stopping the medication.
Most common side effects
- Decreased sex drive (libido).
- Erectile dysfunction.
- Ejaculation problems, including a reduced volume of ejaculate.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
This information is not comprehensive. Please see the full Prescribing Information for finasteride (Propecia®) for complete safety information.