Propecia Side Effects

There have been reports of men experiencing sexual side effects from taking Propecia.

Less desire for sex
Erectile dysfunction
Decrease in the amount of semen
Male breast growth and tenderness
Depression
Allergic reactions including rash, hives, itching, swollen face and lips
Testicular pain
Lumps and pain in the breast
Nipple discharge

More Serious Adverse Effects of Taking Propecia

Prostate cancer
Male breast cancer

In women who might handle pills of Propecia, the active ingredient of this drug, Finasteride, is in the FDA Pregnancy Category “X” and should absolutely never be handled by pregnant women as its been known to cause birth defects in a fetus. This is especially true as it relates to breastfeeding women.

Warnings & Recalls for Propecia

Propecia is meant exclusively for men only and should not be used by women or children. You may have to consult with your physician if you’re allergic to Finasteride or any of the other ingredients in Propecia. Propecia is also known to stay in a male’s blood stream for at least a month from the last dose, and men who take Propecia are urged not to donate blood while taking Propecia. As of yet, there haven't been any voluntary recalls of Propecia.

Propecia Treatment and Use

Propecia | Finasteride is a drug that has been developed by Merck, Inc., which treats MPB (male pattern baldness). Propecia’s classification is that of a synthetic 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor which targets an enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT (dihydrotestosterone) and hinders a male from balding any further. Propecia also treats BEP (benign enlargement of the prostate) in men. Propecia is administered orally.

In Treating BEP

Physicians use Propecia in patients diagnosed with BEP. The approved dose is 5mg per day and within 6 months of such a treatment, an assessment is made whether Propecia has been effective in combating this condition. If a physician chooses to halt the treatment with Propecia, any health benefits due to taking Propecia may be reversed. Propecia has been shown to effective in difficulty with urinating, multiple occasions of getting up at night to urinate, problems with starting to urinate and decreased flow of urine.

In Treating MPB

Propecia is chiefly developed, however, to treat mild to moderate male pattern baldness on the crown area and hairline. The results of taking Propecia to target baldness in men is most significant in the crown area. There has not been much evidence that Propecia works as effectively however in receding hairlines around the temples. Based upon numerous studies, men have regained hair significantly while taking Propecia, however this is based upon a case-by-case basis as not all men have experienced the same amount of hair growth, sometimes if at all.

Other Names for Propecia

Finasteride