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Brand:
 Propecia
Pronunciation: pro-PEE-she-ah
Generic Name:
Finasteride
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Propecia is a remedy for baldness in men with mild to
moderate hair loss on the top of the head and the front of the
mid-scalp area. It increases hair growth, improves hair regrowth,
and slows down hair loss. It works only on scalp hair and does
not affect hair on other parts of the body.
You
may begin to see improvement as early as 3 months after you
begin taking Propecia, but for many men it takes longer.
The improvement lasts only as long as you take the drug; if
you stop, new hair growth will cease and hair loss will resume.
Propecia is a low-dose form of Proscar, a drug prescribed
for prostate enlargement.
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Propecia is NOT for use by women. If taken during pregnancy,
it can cause abnormal development of a male baby's genital organs.
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Due to the drug's effect on male babies, women should avoid
Propecia if there is any chance that they may be pregnant.
Do
not use Propecia if it gives you an allergic reaction,
or if you've ever had an allergic reaction to its chemical
twin: Proscar.
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For maximum benefit, take Propecia regularly once a day.
It can be taken with or without food. --If you miss a dose...
Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your
next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular
schedule. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.
Storage
instructions
Store Propecia at room temperature in a closed container
away from moisture.
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If there's even a possibility that you may be pregnant, women
should avoid handling a crushed or broken Propecia tablet
for fear of absorbing some of the active ingredient through
the skin. Whole tablets are safe to handle thanks to a protective
outer coating.
Use
Propecia with caution if you have liver problems.
Propecia
lowers readings of the PSA screening test for prostate cancer.
If you're scheduled to have your PSA level checked, make sure
the doctor knows you're taking Propecia.
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Propecia's side effects are primarily sexual, and relatively
uncommon -- they strike one or two men in a hundred. If any
side effects develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor
as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is
safe for you to continue taking Propecia.
Side
effects may include: Breast tenderness and enlargement, decreased
amount of semen per ejaculation, decreased sex drive, impotence,
itching, rash, swelling, testicular pain.
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No significant drug interactions have been reported.
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ADULT MEN:
The
recommended dosage, for men only, is 1 Propecia tablet
daily. |
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Although no specific information is available on Propecia
overdose, any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences.
If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.
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