The use of PROPECIA is for the prevention of conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. DHT is a hormone that can be found in the skin, follicles of the hair, and the prostate. Hair follicles are very sensitive to DHT and this is what causes hair loss in men. PROPECIA is used to treat male pattern baldness on the crown and the top of the scalp. Male pattern balding in these specific areas is a commonly occurring condition where the hair on the scalp begins to thin. This results in the hairline receding upwards, balding on the top of the head, or both. This medication is only meant to be used by men and not by women or children. There may be other uses of PROPECIA that your doctor may deem necessary to prescribe it for that are not mentioned here.

PROPECIA is meant to be taken precisely the way your doctor prescribed as it should not be taken more or less than the amount recommended to you.

Please follow the instructions on the label of your prescription. Do not dry swallow this medication. Take it with or without food followed by a glass of water to help to dissolve the medication. You should follow a schedule to take PROPECIA at the same time every day.

To ensure the maximum effectiveness of using PROPECIA®, make sure to use this medication on a regular basis. It is a possibility that you may have to take it every day for at least three months before you notice any beneficial changes.

If you do not notice any effect from using PROPECIA within twelve months, continuing treatment will most likely continue to not work for you. It is important to be aware that if you stop taking PROPECIA, the hair that grew during the twelve months of treatment will likely fall off. Discuss this possibility with your doctor.

Ensure that you schedule regular blood tests as your doctor may need to check the progress of your treatment for your condition and look out for any harmful effects that may be caused. It is important to consult with your doctor on a regular basis as your prostate specific antigen (PSA) will need to be tested for prostate cancer.

When PROPECIA is not being used, this medication should be kept tightly closed in a cool, dry, and dark environment out of the reach of children and pets.

PROPECIA is meant to be taken by men only. Women and children should never take this medication. The active medicinal ingredient, finasteride, has the potential to seep through and be absorbed through the skin, so women and children should avoid touching PROPECIA tablets.

To see if PROPECIA is safe and right for you, notify your doctor of your medical history. Especially if you have ever had liver disease, prostate cancer, bladder muscle disorder, urethral stricture, problems urinating, or an allergic reaction to the medication, AVODART, which contains dutasteride.

It is possible that PROPECIA may increase the chances of you developing cancer in the prostate. Your doctor will need to perform several tests to ensure that you are not suffering from any other conditions that would cause complications when using this medication.

PROPECIA tablets should never be handled or touched by a woman who is thinking about or going through pregnancy. This medication may cause birth defects in the baby if the woman comes into contact with finasteride during pregnancy. There is a chemical coating on the exterior of the tablets that prevent direct contact with the active ingredient, as long as the tablets are not tampered with, broken, or crushed. If a woman is exposed to the medication while the table is in broken or crushed from, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water immediately.

If you have an allergic reaction to PROPECIA®, you may have symptoms such as hives, breathing difficulties, swelling o the face, lips, tongue, or throat. If you notice you are having an allergic reaction, contact emergency medical assistance immediately.

If you notice lumps in your breast, pain in your breast, nipple discharge, or any other changes to your breast, call your physician right away as this could symptoms of male breast cancer.

Other side effects of PROPECIA that may occur include, impotence, decreased libido, trouble having an orgasm, unusual ejaculation, swelling of the hands or feet, breast swelling or tenderness, dizziness, weakness, feeling like you may lose consciousness, headache, runny nose, or skin rash.

Even after you stop your treatment, PROPECIA may have long-term side effects on your sexual behavior. You may experience erectile dysfunction, problems ejaculating, and a low sex drive. If these side effects cause concern or worry, consult with your doctor about them.

You may experience other side effects that have not been mentioned here. Speak to your doctor for more information on PROPECIA side effects.

Is there anything I should avoid while taking PROPECIA?

When getting up from either sitting or lying down, do it slowly and steadily. Getting up too suddenly could cause dizziness that could result in you falling.

What should I do if I forgot to take my dose?

As long as it is not close to the time of your next scheduled dose, just take the dose you missed as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, just skip the dose you missed entirely. In no circumstance should you ever take two doses at the same time to make up for the one you have missed.