Benign prostatic hyperplasia is treated with the medication Proscar. It is recommended to lessen acute urinary retention risk, promote proper urine flow, and lessen prostate enlargement.
Coated pills containing the substance are the main form of this medication. Finasteride is the primary active component. Proscar is distinguished by its inhibitory or suppressive function, which is reflected in alpha-reductase (a protein enzyme that can speed up chemical reactions in the patient’s body). This substance makes it possible for testosterone to be converted into a more active form– dihydrotestosterone, while reducing its content in the tissues and blood of the prostate gland.
Proscar 5mg has the ability to hinder the formation of benign prostate tumors by inhibiting the influence of male sex hormones. Long-term therapy can aid in the reduction of enlarged prostate and the advancement of normal urination.
Indications for use
This medication is suggested to prevent and treat benign prostatic hyperplasia. This condition is characterized by a reduction in normal urine output. Having said that, there is a danger of acute urinary retention appearance due to urinary channel patency.
When it comes to the improvement of these ailments, Proscar collects the best reviews, both from patients and from treating professionals. Positive reviews about Proscar indicate that after a treatment course with this drug, the process of urination is restored, and the prostate gland is significantly reduced in size. They confirm its high effectiveness in hyperplasia, both as an independent drug and in combination with other medications.
Contraindications
Prescription of Proscar is not recommended if the following contraindications appear:
- prostate cancer;
- liver failure;
- obstructive uropathy;
- hypersensitivity to the active substance.
Usage instructions
A dose of 5 mg or less of the drug per day is suggested for an adult, which is typically one tablet, regardless of food intake. There is no need for a particular dosage modification in patients with varying stages of renal issues because investigations have shown no difference in the distribution of the active component.
The treatment’s effect will be visible no sooner than three months after it begins. A four-month course of therapy results in a considerable rise in peak urine flow, whereas a seven-month course of therapy greatly reduces overall symptoms.
When used orally, Finasteride has a bioavailability of roughly 80%. Eating food prior to or while taking medicine has no effect on the drug’s bioavailability. The active component reaches its peak plasma concentration 2 hours after oral treatment. The substance is absorbed from the gastrointestinal system 6-8 hours after ingestion. Absorption of the product from the gastrointestinal tract ends 6-8 hours after its administration.
The investigation of several doses of finasteride over a lengthy period of time revealed the possibility of drug buildup in modest amounts. Its plasma concentration reaches 8-10 ng/ml after a daily oral dosage of 5 mg and remains there for a long period.
Although no dose change is required, studies show that its excretion is somewhat decreased in persons over the age of 70. In older men, the elimination half-life is around 8 hours, while in those aged 18-60, it is two hours shorter.
Side effects of Proscar
Taking Proscar has no effect on a person’s capability to drive or operate with machines. Patients typically tolerate Proscar well. Nonetheless, its usage might have a number of adverse effects in some situations.
- a decrease in erection strength or libido;
- pain in the mammary glands;
- a decrease in the ejaculate amount;
- an increase in the concentration of FSH and LH, both of which play a role in fertility;
- allergic reactions.
With long-term treatment, men do not experience an increase in the intensity and frequency of side effects. With a lengthy course of treatment, the number of instances of sexual dysfunction caused by this medicine reduces.
Overdose
Patients treated with Proscar at dosages of up to 400 mg once and up to 80 mg per day for three months saw no adverse effects. There are no particular suggestions when it comes to dealing with overdose as such.
Use when pregnant or nursing
Proscar tablets are coated, which prevents direct contact with the active component if the pills are not crushed or have lost their integrity. Nonetheless, Finasteride’s effect poses a risk to the male fetus. Since the medicine prevents testosterone from being converted to dihydrotestosterone, it may cause improper vulva development in the male fetus. As a result, Proscar is not a good choice for pregnant women.
As such, pregnant women or those who might get in such a condition ought to refrain from contact with crushed or broken Proscar tablets due to the likelihood of active substance penetration into the woman’s body and an extra possible risk for the male baby.
There is data suggesting a minor amount of Finasteride being released from the sperm of a patient taking 5mg of Finasteride daily. It is unknown if a male baby might be harmed if sperm from a Finasteride-treated patient penetrates the mother. If the patient’s sexual partner is or may become pregnant, the patient ought to prevent the influence of sperm on the partner.
It is unknown whether Finasteride enters breast milk.
Special warnings
- Obstructive uropathy
It is necessary to constantly monitor the possible development of obstructive uropathy (damage to the urinary tract and organs, manifested due to difficult outflow of urine) in patients suffering from a sharp decrease in the capacity of the urethra. Before beginning therapy, prostate cancer and infectious prostatitis must be ruled out.
- Breast cancer in men
Cases of breast cancer in males using 5 mg Finasteride have been recorded during clinical trials and in the post-marketing period. Physicians should advise their patients to report any changes in breast tissue, such as swelling, discomfort, gynecomastia, or discharge from the nipples, as soon as possible.
- Lactose
Patients with uncommon inherited types of galactose intolerance, lactase insufficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome should not take Proscar since it includes lactose.
Drug interactions
Finasteride (active substance) had no clinically significant interactions with propranolol, digoxin, glyburide, warfarin, theophylline, or antipyrine.
According to research, Finasteride has no effect on the cytochrome P450 enzyme system and hence has no effect on the pharmacokinetic characteristics of medicines metabolized by liver microsomal enzymes.
There were no clinically noteworthy medication interactions when Finasteride was used concurrently with ACE inhibitors, alpha and beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, nitrates, diuretics, histamine H2 receptor blockers, inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase, NSAIDs, quinolones, and benzodiazepines.
Storage conditions
Proscar should be stored in a place protected from light, at a temperature not exceeding 30°C (85°F). As with any medication, you should keep it out of the reach of children. The drug is good for use 3 years after being produced. You should not use it after the expiry date stated on the packaging.
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