Proscar (finasteride)

Health and Nutrition > Medicines > P



How does it work?

Proscar tablets contain the active ingredient finasteride, which is a type of medicine known as a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. (NB. Finasteride 5mg tablets are also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) Finasteride works by preventing the action of a chemical called 5-alpha reductase.

In the body, the hormone testosterone is converted to a more active form, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), by 5-alpha reductase. Finasteride blocks the action of 5-alpha reductase, and therefore prevents the activation of testosterone.

The enlargement of the prostate gland, which often occurs in men with advancing age (benign prostatic hyperplasia), is dependant upon testosterone being converted to DHT within the prostate gland. In the absence of DHT the prostate shrinks. Therefore, by decreasing the amount of DHT, finasteride helps shrink the prostate.

The prostate gland is found only in men and lies at the top of the tube connecting the bladder to the outside (urethra). Enlargement of the prostate causes it to press on the urethra and bladder and can cause urinary symptoms such as poor flow of urine. By shrinking the prostate, finasteride relieves the pressure on the bladder and urethra. This allows urine to flow freely past the prostate and relieves the urinary symptoms.

What is it used for?

- Enlarged prostate gland .

Warning!

- Women who are pregnant or of childbearing age should not handle broken or crushed tablets of this medicine, as the medicine may be absorbed through the skin and be harmful to an unborn child.
- While you are taking this medicine you should use a condom during sex if your sexual partner is pregnant or could become pregnant. This is because the active ingredient of this medicine passes into semen, and could harm the development of an unborn child.
- This medicine does not cause prostate cancer, but prostate cancer can be another cause of an enlarged prostate gland. For this reason, tests for prostate cancer should be carried out before you start treatment with this medicine, and at regular intervals thereafter.

Use with caution in

- Men with very poor flow of urine or obstruction of the urinary tract (urethra).

Not to be used in

- Women.
- Children.
- Rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption (Proscar tablets contain lactose).