Finasteride
Finasteride: instructions for use and reviews
- 1. Release form and composition
- 2. Pharmacological properties
- 3. Indications for use
- 4. Contraindications
- 5. Method of application and dosage
- 6. Side effects
- 7. Overdose
- 8. Special instructions
- 9. Application during pregnancy and lactation
- 10. Drug interactions
- 11. Analogs
- 12. Terms and conditions of storage
- 13. Terms of dispensing from pharmacies
- 14. Reviews
- 15. Price in pharmacies
Latin name: Finasteride
ATX code: G04CB01
Active ingredient: finasteride (finasteride)
Producer: FP Obolenskoe (Russia), SC Balkan Pharmaceuticals SRL (Balkan Pharmaceuticals) Republic of Moldova
Description and photo update: 2018-26-10
Finasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor.
Release form and composition
Finasteride dosage forms:
- dosage of 5 mg - film-coated tablets: round, biconvex, pink or light pink, white or almost white inside (7, 10, 14, 15, 20 or 30 tablets in blisters, in a cardboard box 1, 2, 3 or 4 packs);
- dosage of 1 or 5 mg - tablets: square, with rounded edges, chamfer and line, engraving "BP" on one side, on the other side the dosage designation - "1" or "5", from white to almost white, (by 10 or 20 pcs. In blisters, 5, 15, 25, 50, 100 or 500 pcs. In bags, 5, 15, 25, 50 or 100 pcs. In bottles).
Composition of 1 film-coated tablet:
- active substance: finasteride - 5 mg;
- auxiliary components: lactose monohydrate, calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, croscarmellose sodium, sodium dodecyl sulfate, microcrystalline cellulose, hyprolose, magnesium stearate;
- film shell: copovidone, hyprolose, talc, titanium dioxide, azorubin dye.
Composition of 1 tablet:
- active substance: finasteride - 1 mg or 5 mg;
- auxiliary components: magnesium stearate, crospovidone (Kollidon CL), ludipress (povidone, crospovidone, lactose).
Pharmacological properties
Pharmacodynamics
The action of finasteride is due to the inhibition of 5-alpha reductase, which is responsible for the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, which promotes prostatic hypertrophy and the development of adenoma. The decrease in dihydrotestosterone occurs both in the prostate gland and in the blood. In addition, the size of the gland, the clinical manifestations of adenoma decrease, and urination is facilitated.
Finasteride's effect is established over several months and lasts for 2 years after the drug is discontinued. The substance does not bind to androgen receptors and does not affect the hypothalamic-pituitary system.
Pharmacokinetics
When taken orally, the drug is quickly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Its bioavailability is about 80%. The time to reach the maximum plasma concentration is 1–2 hours. The active substance binds to plasma proteins by 90%.
Finasteride metabolism occurs in the liver. It is excreted in urine and feces.
The half-life increases with age, and is 6 hours in patients over 60 years old and 8 hours after 70 years.
Indications for use
According to the instructions, Finasteride is indicated for prostatic hypertrophy to reduce the severity of symptoms, reduce the size of the prostate, improve urine flow and to reduce the risk of acute urinary retention.
Contraindications
- obstruction of the urinary tract;
- prostate cancer;
- age up to 18 years;
- increased sensitivity to any component of the drug.
The drug should be used with caution in patients with impaired liver function.
Instructions for the use of Finasteride: method and dosage
Finasteride tablets are taken orally, regardless of food intake, 1 pc. per day.
The duration of therapy should be 6-7 months.
Side effects
- decreased libido and potency;
- decrease in ejaculant volume;
- enlargement of the mammary glands;
- hypersensitivity reactions (rash, lip swelling).
All adverse reactions are rare, usually mild and transient, and the frequency of disorders in the genital area decreases during treatment.
Overdose
There are no reports of cases of Finasteride overdose.
special instructions
Before you start taking Finasteride, the following diseases should be excluded: prostate cancer, urethral stricture, infectious prostatitis, bladder hypotension, etc.
Due to the fact that the improvement of the condition does not occur immediately, the patient needs medical supervision in case of a large residual urine volume and with difficulty urinating in order to avoid obstructive neuropathy.
While taking the drug, the diagnosis of prostate cancer can be difficult due to the lowered level of prostate-specific antigen. In this regard, it is periodically necessary to conduct a rectal examination to exclude cancer.
Before starting therapy and periodically during it, it is recommended to monitor liver and kidney function, blood picture and urinary sediment.
Application during pregnancy and lactation
Women of childbearing age, as well as pregnant women, should avoid contact with Finasteride tablets in order to avoid absorption of the drug into the body and subsequent disturbances in the development of the external genital organs of the fetus.
Drug interactions
There is no information on interactions with other drugs.
Analogs
Finasteride analogs are Adenosteride-Health, Penester, Proscar, Prostan, Urofin, Avodart.
Terms and conditions of storage
Store in a dry place, away from light, at a temperature of 15 to 25 ° C. Keep out of the reach of children.
Shelf life is 3 years.
Terms of dispensing from pharmacies
Dispensed by prescription.
Reviews about Finasteride
Reviews of Finasteride on the network are positive. With prolonged use in accordance with the doctor's recommendations, a confident therapeutic effect occurs.
Finasteride price in pharmacies
The approximate price for Finasteride in pharmacies is 250 rubles. per pack containing 30 tablets.
Maria Kulkes Medical journalist About the author
Education: First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov, specialty "General Medicine".
Information about the drug is generalized, provided for informational purposes only and does not replace the official instructions. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
