It is known as finasteride to an active principle that is responsible for inhibiting 5-alpha reductase, which means that it reduces the enlargement of the prostate and, at the same time, is responsible for intervening in the regulation of the hair follicle. In other words, finasteride prevents the transformation of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone or DHT in the body and, as the latter is involved in the appearance of benign prostate hyperplasia or inflamed prostate , it is widely used by a large number of men.
Despite the above, finasteride can also be used for other purposes under the prescription and supervision of a doctor. If you want to know more about this drug, in the following FastlyHealarticle we detail everything about finasteride: what it is for and side effects .
Table of Contents
Finasteride: when to use
Finasteride is used for many causes, among which benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH stands out . Despite the effectiveness of this substance, it is possible that it is used in combination with other medications, for example, for this pathology it can be accompanied with doxazosin, which together can help reduce the increase in hyperplasia and the risk of undergoing surgery on the prostate.
This drug can also be used for hippocratic or androgenic alopecia , which can commonly be known as baldness, however, the dose is four times lower than in the case mentioned above and is only recommended in men between 18 and 60 years of age. The use of finasteride is not recommended for women , especially those who are pregnant, since it could cause malformations in the fetus.
Although the two cases detailed above are the most frequent uses of finasteride, this drug can also be used as chemoprophylaxis of prostate cancer . Thanks to this effect, there may be up to a 25% decrease in the risk of suffering from prostate cancer when consumed for more than 5 consecutive years, however, it is not at all recommended to ingest this product as a preventive of this pathology.
How to use finasteride?
The finasteride medicine comes as a tablet to be taken by mouth , usually a daily dose . It is recommended to take this drug at the same time every day and strictly following the instructions of both the drug and the professional.
Likewise, it is essential that the doses are always respected and that it is never administered more frequently than indicated. If finasteride is ingested for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, it is important to know that the infection can be controlled, but not cured; however, the symptoms improve after 6 months of ingestion of finasteride and, even if you are well or the symptoms are minimal, it is necessary to continue taking it until the doctor indicates otherwise .
If this drug is being used to treat baldness in a man, it may take at least 3 months to see improvements. This is because both growth and hair loss occur slowly over time, although 12 months after starting treatment, great improvements should be observed, otherwise, it is important to consult a specialist.
Finasteride: side effects
Like any drug, finasteride is not exempt from the possibility of producing certain adverse symptoms, although the presence of one or more of them also depends on the predisposition of the person and if these do not diminish, the doctor may suspend its administration. Some of the milder side effects that finasteride has, but still need to be seen by a professional, are:
- A decrease in sexual desire.
- Inability to have or maintain an erection.
- Ejaculation disorders.
- Depression .
- Aches and pains in the testicles
On the other hand, among the most serious symptoms of this drug , which make it necessary to see a doctor urgently, the following stand out:
- Different changes in the breasts, such as the size, the appearance of lumps or discharge from the nipples.
- Itching or rash
- Urticaria.
- Swelling on the face or just on the lips.
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing normally.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Finasteride: what it is for and side effects , we recommend that you enter our category of Medication and medical tests .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.