Propecia (Finasteride) belongs to a class of medications called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. It helps treating men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and male pattern hair loss. Finasteride helps by making the symptoms of BPH such as frequent urination, difficulty while urinating and acute urinary retention less severe. It may also reduce the chance where a prostate surgery is needed. It could also be used together with another medication to treat BPH (benign prostatic hypertrophy). Finasteride treats BPH by blocking the body's production of a male hormone that causes the prostate to enlarge. Finasteride treats male pattern hair loss by blocking the body's production of a male hormone in the scalp that stops hair growth.

Doctor's prescription is required to use this medicine.

Always take Propecia (Finasteride) as directed by your physician.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.

Finasteride comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. Take finasteride at around the same time every day. Do not stop taking finasteride without talking to your doctor.

Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Always use Propecia (Finasteride) exactly as directed by your doctor.

Before taking Propecia, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or any other medications. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history. Tell your doctor about all the other prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking.

Propecia should never be taken by a woman or a child. Finasteride can be absorbed through the skin, and women or children should not be permitted to handle Propecia tablets.

To ensure Propecia is safe to use, tell your doctor if you ever have/ had any of these other conditions:

• liver disease, or abnormal liver function tests;

• prostate cancer;

• a bladder muscle disorder;

• stricture of your urethra;

• urination problems; or

• an allergic reaction to a similar medicine.

Propecia tablets should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or who may become pregnant. The active ingredient could harm the unborn baby. If a woman accidentally comes into contact with this medication from a broken or crushed tablet, wash the area with soap and water right away.

Using Propecia may increase your risk of developing prostate cancer. Talk with your doctor.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• inability to have or maintain an erection
• decreased sexual desire
• problems with ejaculation (including decreased volume of ejaculate)
• pain in the testicles
• depression

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• changes in the breasts such as increased size, lumps, pain, or nipple discharge
• rash
• itching
• hives
• swelling of the lips and face
• difficulty breathing or swallowing

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What happens if I overdose?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F).

Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I avoid while taking this medication?

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Do not donate blood while you are taking this medicine. This will prevent giving this medicine to a pregnant female through a blood transfusion. Ask your doctor or health care professional when it is safe to donate blood after you stop taking this medicine.