Finasteride marketed under the name Proscar is used in urology for urinary disorders linked to benign prostatic hypertrophy. Under the name Propecia, it is indicated for the treatment of hair loss (alopecia).
How Does Finasteride Work?
Finasteride is a drug used in allopathy and for men. It is used to treat various exclusively male pathologies affecting the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) as well as baldness. Finasteride’s action consists of reducing the level of dihydrotestosterone, a hormone that promotes hair loss and average prostate growth.
Hair
Finasteride blocks the action of testosterone (male hormone) in the hair follicles present under the scalp. It then slows down hair loss (alopecia), whose origin is hormonal, that is to say, in men who have androgenic alopecia at an early stage. It is administered orally, and it comes in tablet form. After 3-6 months of treatment, hair loss usually begins to stabilize. There comes finasteride with the perfect solutions now.
Prostate
Finasteride blocks the action of testosterone (male hormone) in the prostate. It slows the growth of prostate adenoma and decreases the urinary symptoms that result from it. Finasteride artificially lowers the level of PSA (prostate-specific antigen used in prostate cancer screening), even if it has no preventive action against cancer.
How Effective Is It?
This drug is especially effective when alopecia is taken care of before it reaches too advanced a stage. It is a long-term treatment that provides satisfactory results after several years (about five years). This drug is effective in a few months on obstructive urinary symptoms.
Dosage
The recommended dose is one 5 mg tablet per day, recalls the specialist. Although rapid improvement is sometimes observed, treatment of at least six months may be necessary to objectively determine whether a satisfactory response has been obtained regarding urinary disorders.
Is It Over The Counter, Without A Prescription?
The medication Propecia 1 mg and their generics are not over the counter and cannot be purchased without a doctor’s prescription.
Medicines Containing Finasteride
Finasteride is a substance that several laboratories use at a dosage of 1 mg as part of hair loss treatment. Finasteride is also found at this strength in generic Finhair, as well as in Propecia. Some laboratories also offer Finasteride-based treatments at a dosage of 5 mg to fight against benign prostatic hypertrophy.
Price and Reimbursement
The price of Propecia 1 mg is approximately 94 dollars for a one-month treatment. This drug, as well as generic (Finasteride), is not reimbursed by social security in the indication alopecia (hair loss).