Fincar (Finasteride) for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Hair Loss

Fincar is one of the most widely used remedies for BPH. The active substance in this medication was developed in the late 1980s by the American pharmaceutical company Merck, and a decade later, US regulators allowed pharmacies to sell it. The therapeutic effect of the drug develops gradually over 6 to 12 months. Long-term treatment with Fincar reduces dihydrotestosterone in the blood by about 70%.

The glandular elements of the prostate tissue are most sensitive to the active component. Fincar has no connection to androgen receptors and does not affect the lipid profile, as well as the plasma levels of cortisol, estradiol, prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and thyroxine.

What is BHP?

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is an overgrowth of prostate tissue without a tendency to damage adjacent structures or metastasize. It is one of the leading causes of dysuric and sexual disorders in men over 50 years of age.

The concentration of testosterone in the blood decreases with age, but the levels of one of its isomers remain the same. The development of the disease is based on the high sensitivity of specific receptors of prostate cells to dihydrotestosterone. They respond by synthesizing growth factors. This inhibits the programmed death of old cells. As a result, worn-out gland cells live longer, and new ones divide quickly.

First, one or more nodules form in the prostate, which gradually grow. The gland increases in volume, changes its structure, and its secretory function is disturbed. Its increase provokes the narrowing of the urethra and worsening of the urine passage.

As the disease progresses, the is a risk of urine accumulation, which is a favorable condition for infections and cystitis. A constant increase in intravesical pressure leads to dilation of the ureters, urine reflux, pyelonephritis, hydronephrosis, and chronic renal failure.

Fincar for hair loss

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia was the intended health issue the drug was supposed to improve. As a side effect, male patients suffering from hereditary hair loss unexpectedly grew hair again. So, soon, hair loss was added to the list of approved prescriptions. The active component, which should never be taken by women, may help stop hereditary hair loss. However, it can cause potentially serious side effects, which we will discuss below.

The hair roots are sensitive to DHT, which is formed from testosterone and the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. Simply put, DHT attaches to the hair roots and shortens the hair growth phase. The hair root gradually begins to shrink until it can only produce so-called downy hairs. Over time, they also fall out, and the hair root dies. This process can take years or even decades.

However, Fincar is not a cure for all forms of baldness. It can only restore those hair roots that have not yet died. If baldness has already passed to later stages, then this drug will not help much. It is also ineffective in hereditary baldness, called androgenetic alopecia, which is associated with the disruption of genes.

By the way, it is often taken by male athletes involved in bodybuilding or strength training. Due to the abuse of testosterone and its derivatives, they often suffer from hair loss. However, it should be noted that Fincar and similar drugs have been banned for use in sports due to their ability to mask the use of banned substances.

Benefits include:

• Effective BPH treatment;
• May slow down hair loss;
• May promote hair growth;
• Easy to take in tablet form.

Disadvantages include:

• May cause undesired side effects such as reduced libido;
• Not effective for women;
• Not a cure for all forms of hair loss.

Side Effects

Fincar is a prescription drug that should be administered only under a doctor’s supervision. Side effects were noted in 1% or more of patients over a period of 4 years. They can be quite significant because the drug interferes with the metabolism of male sex hormones.

Undesired results of drug use include:

• decreased libido;
• erectile dysfunction (sexual dysfunction that may persist for several months or even years after stopping the treatment);
• negative impact on sperm quality and volume;
• sleep disorders.

The medication can cause a change in the state of the male breast, which can lead to gynecomastia – an increase in the mammary glands.

This medication may affect ejaculation even after treatment is stopped and it may take several days for you to recover. Pain in the testicles, hypersensitivity reactions in the form of skin rashes, urticaria, and swelling of the lips and face are some of the other symptoms one should be on look out of.

American and Canadian doctors found that the use of this drug increased the likelihood of developing suicidal thoughts in men by about 4-5 times. This was announced by the press service of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Health Center at Harvard University.

The analysis confirmed that the active substance in these medications was indeed associated with increased chances of developing depression and anxiety in men of all ages and that only men were affected by these problems. This trend was most pronounced among younger men, aged under 45 years, as well as men who used various drugs based on Finasteride to combat baldness.

Overdose

Currently, cases of drug overdose have not been reported. Accordingly, specific treatment for an overdose of Fincar has not been developed.

Dosage and treatment course

The typical dose is 5 mg. The frequency of administration is one time per day. The tablet should be swallowed whole regardless of food intake. The treatment period is determined by the doctor individually. Fincar must be taken for at least three to six months before the first results appear. It is not recommended to adjust the dosage or treatment period on your own unless you want to put your health at risk instead of curing your health issue.

Elderly patients do not need to adjust the dose. Since no effect of renal insufficiency on the excretion of the drug was found, men with various stages of renal insufficiency do not need individual dose selection. There is no information on the use of Fincar in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Therefore, the drug is not recommended for such patients.

Special warnings

Before starting treatment with Fincar, it is necessary to conduct an appropriate examination to rule out other diseases clinically similar to BPH, for example, infections, prostate cancer, strictures, hypertonic bladder, or some neurogenic disorders. Patients with a large final volume of urine and/or decreased urine flow should be under constant observation for possible obstructive uropathy.

Women of childbearing age and pregnant women put their babies at risk if they come into contact with crushed or damaged tablets. Specifically, the development of the genital organs in a male fetus can go wrong.

The drug penetrated into the seminal fluid, so sexual contact between a pregnant woman or a woman planning to get pregnant and a man treated with Fincar should be done using appropriate precautionary measures.

Finally, it should be brought to one’s attention that Finasteride affects the level of prostate-specific antigen in the blood, which can make it difficult to diagnose prostate cancer. Accordingly, before prescribing the medication, the doctor should examine the patient for prostate cancer before prescribing this medication. This is especially important as the cancer is often diagnosed alongside BPH.

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