Finasteride is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of male pattern baldness and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Available in tablet form, it was approved for use by the FDA back in 1992 for males with an enlarged prostate; finasteride helps improve the impact of the symptoms of the condition, as well as decrease the likelihood of developing a urinary tract infection (UTI). It is sometimes prescribed by healthcare professionals off-label for the treatment of hair loss in women. 

It’s a long-term prescription that patients often take for many years. In the case of male pattern baldness, the medication has to be taken permanently, or the baldness will return. It’s classified as a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, and there are two brand name versions, Proscar and Propecia, both of which only treat one condition: Proscar is used for male pattern baldness; Propecia for BPH. 

What is Finasteride Prescribed For? 

A healthcare professional may prescribe finasteride for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPG) or for male pattern baldness. 

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a condition that causes the prostate to grow too large, which can make it difficult for urine to pass through the urethra. Finasteride is used to shrink the prostate, which in turn helps to ease the symptoms of the condition. 

Male pattern baldness is genetic hair loss in men. Finasteride helps to prevent further hair loss and promotes new hair growth in the scalp.

How Does Finasteride Work? 

Finasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor drug. It helps to prevent one hormone (testosterone) from turning into another hormone (dihydrotestosterone). If a person has too much DHT in their body, then their prostate can grow larger. It can also cause hair to weaken, fall out, and stop growing. Finasteride helps to stop this hormone change. This change will only stop while the drug is being taken; if the patient stops taking finasteride, then the naturally occurring change will begin again. 

What Are The Side Effects of Finasteride? 

Side effects of taking finasteride are uncommon. Roughly only around one in a hundred people that take the medication experience side effects. And even if a person does get side effects, they usually become less noticeable after a while.

Common side effects include:

• Difficulty maintaining an erection
• Difficulty producing semen.

There are some more serious side effects associated with finasteride. These affect roughly one in a thousand people and include:

• Depression or low moods
• Lumps and pain in the chest area. 
• Allergic reaction.