Finasteride: Price, Dosage & Where to Buy

Finasteride is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor prescribed to treat symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia in men with an enlarged prostate. It improves symptoms, reduces the risk of acute urinary retention, and reduces the need for surgery. Finasteride requires a prescription in the United Kingdom and has been available as a generic medicine since July 2006.

Finasteride belongs to a class of medicines called 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. It works by blocking the enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, a hormone that contributes to prostate enlargement.

By reducing dihydrotestosterone levels in the body, finasteride helps shrink the enlarged prostate over time. This reduction in prostate size can improve urinary flow, relieve symptoms such as difficulty starting urination and frequent urination, and lower the risk of complications associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Finasteride is prescribed for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia in men with an enlarged prostate. It improves urinary symptoms, reduces the risk of acute urinary retention, and reduces the risk of needing surgery including transurethral resection of the prostate and prostatectomy.

When used in combination with the alpha-blocker doxazosin, finasteride reduces the risk of symptomatic progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Finasteride is not approved for the prevention of prostate cancer.

The label lists 1 mg and 5 mg tablets in oral, film-coated, and coated forms. For the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, the usual starting dose is one 5 mg tablet once a day. Finasteride may be administered with or without meals.

When used in combination therapy with the alpha-blocker doxazosin, the label lists one 5 mg tablet once a day alongside the alpha-blocker. Treatment effects are typically seen over several months of continued use.

Store finasteride at 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, which corresponds to normal room temperature, to maintain quality. Protect the tablets from light and keep the container tightly closed.

The tablets are coated to prevent contact with the active ingredient during normal handling, provided they have not been broken or crushed. Keep finasteride and all medicines out of the reach of children.

If a dose of finasteride is missed, it should be taken as soon as remembered unless it is nearly time for the next scheduled dose. The medicine works over time to reduce prostate size, so consistency matters more than a single missed dose.

Patients should not double up doses to make up for a missed one. Speak with a pharmacist if doses are frequently missed.

Finasteride is contraindicated in females who are pregnant or may potentially be pregnant. Based on animal studies and its mechanism of action, finasteride may cause abnormal development of external genitalia in a male fetus if administered to a pregnant female. Females who are pregnant or may potentially be pregnant should not handle crushed or broken finasteride tablets because of possible exposure to a male fetus.

The coated tablets prevent skin contact with finasteride during normal handling if the tablets have not been broken or crushed. If a pregnant female comes into contact with crushed or broken tablets, the contact area should be washed immediately with soap and water. Finasteride is not indicated for use in females.