Propecia

What Is Propecia

Propecia works by blocking the action of a chemical in the body which affects hair loss in men.

Is this medicine suitable for you?

Propecia is not suitable for everyone and some people should never use it. Other people should only use it with special care. It is important that the person prescribing this medicine knows your full medical history. The medicine will not be prescribed to people under the age of 18 years.

Our doctors may only prescribe this medicine with special care or may not prescribe it at all if you:

• are a man who is likely to father a child
• are allergic or sensitive to or have had a reaction to any of the ingredients in the medicine
• are female
• are taking finasteride, one of the ingredients in Propecia, for other medical problems
• have galactose intolerance
• have glucose-galactose malabsorption problems
• have Lapp lactase deficiency
• have liver problem

The prescriber may also arrange for a suitability test. To test that the medicine is not having any undesired effect.

Can I take it with other medicines?

Propecia can interact with some medicines. It is important to inform our doctors of any medicines you are taking whether they are prescribed or purchased over the counter.

The following medicines may interact with Propecia: other medicines containing finasteride The following types of medicine may interact with Propecia: 5α-reductase inhibitors If you are taking Propecia and one of the above medicines or types of medicines, make sure your prescriber knows about it.

How to take you medicine

One tablet should be taken daily, at around the same time each day, with or without food. If a dose is missed, you must take your next dose as per usual and not double up your dose.

It may take up to three to six months before you notice a reduction in hair loss and an improvement in hair thickness. If you stop taking this medication, any improvements in hair will begin to reverse within six months.

Make sure you follow any specific instructions given to you by your prescriber or that are in the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with this medicine.

Possible Side Effects

Everyone’s reaction to a medicine is different. It is difficult to predict which side-effects you will have from taking a particular medicine, or whether you will have any side-effects at all. The important thing is to tell your prescriber if you are having problems with your medicine.

Side effects are not common with this medication. Rare side effect can include (More than 1 to 10 people in 1000 people who take Propecia):

• decreased libido
• depressed mood
• ejaculation problems
• erectile dysfunction

If you feel unwell or if you have concerns about a side-effect, you will need to seek advice.

If you experience any side effects, other than those listed or are troublesome please inform a doctor