{"id":1075,"date":"2023-06-30T11:46:10","date_gmt":"2023-06-30T11:46:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/?p=1075"},"modified":"2023-09-08T14:48:57","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T14:48:57","slug":"propecia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/pricing\/propecia\/","title":{"rendered":"About Propecia (Finasteride): A Patient&#8217;s Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>Highlights\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Propecia, also known by its generic name, finasteride, is a treatment for men\u2019s hair loss.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Propecia is also used to treat an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia).<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Finding the lowest price for Propecia can help more men access hair loss treatment.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5312176\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Up to two-thirds of all men<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can experience male-pattern baldness, known to doctors as androgenic alopecia. Propecia can help you keep the hair you have, yet before you begin taking it, you should know how it works, and whether it\u2019s right for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What Is Propecia and What Is It Used For?<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/home\/Medicine_Details\/propecia-1-mg-tablet\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Propecia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, medically known as finasteride, is most typically used to slow the progression of male-pattern baldness. Finasteride is also used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate, or BPH) under the brand name Proscar.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>How Does Propecia Work?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Propecia is an antiandrogen drug that blocks the production of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). High levels of DHT can shrink the hair follicles on your scalp and shorten the cycle of hair growth. Over time, this causes hair loss.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finasteride can\u2019t stop hair loss completely, however. Androgenic alopecia is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5308812\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a genetic condition<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and can\u2019t be cured, only treated.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What Formulas Are Available for Propecia?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Propecia comes in tablet form and is also available as a topical preparation called Propecia Foam.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Propecia Dosage and Administration<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Men typically start on 1 milligram of Propecia daily. You\u2019ll generally begin seeing results no later than three months after you start.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll likely only experience the effects of Propecia while you\u2019re taking it; once you stop, the symptoms will return within a year.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>How Should I Take Propecia?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Propecia is usually taken orally, in pill form, with a glass of water.\u00a0 You can take it with or without food. You don\u2019t need to take it at the same time every day, but it\u2019s best to be consistent.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What Are the Potential Side Effects of Propecia?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most common possible side effects of Propecia are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lower libido<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Erectile dysfunction<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Difficulty in achieving orgasm<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Difficulty ejaculating\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swelling or tenderness in the breast area<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of these side effects may continue after you stop taking Propecia. However, these effects are usually temporary and will go away on their own.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should also seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pain in the breasts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lumps in the breasts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discharge from the nipples<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other breast changes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Testicular pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blood in the semen<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are potentially signs of breast or testicular cancer, and you should talk to your doctor about screening right away.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Currently, research is ongoing into what\u2019s been termed <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7231981\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">post-finasteride syndrome<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where either the side effects of the medication linger or new ones begin to emerge. There\u2019s considerable debate on whether this syndrome exists, possible mechanisms, and the possibility that these symptoms may have been coincidental and could have had other causes, such as stress or anxiety.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What Should I Avoid When Taking Propecia?<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1079\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/2.jpeg-2-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"man covering his crotch\" width=\"780\" height=\"585\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid combining other <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/drug-class\/antiandrogens.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">antiandrogen medications<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with Propecia. If you\u2019re taking an alpha blocker in combination with Propecia, make sure that any other medications you\u2019re taking are not <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodrx.com\/classes\/alpha-blockers\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">alpha blockers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before taking Propecia, check to ensure that any other medication you\u2019re taking doesn\u2019t affect your liver enzymes. As Propecia is broken down in the liver, changes in your liver enzymes can change how long Propecia remains in your system, either increasing or reducing its effectiveness.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Propecia can also be absorbed through the skin, so if you need to move your prescription to another bottle or clean up a broken pill, use gloves and dispose of it where others won\u2019t handle it.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Propecia?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you miss your daily dose, wait until the next day to resume taking it. Don\u2019t take two doses on the same day.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What Should I Do If I Overdose on Propecia?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are no known short-term problems with overdose of finasteride. However, a higher dose is more likely to trigger side effects and other discomfort.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In particular, taking more Propecia than recommended over a long period of time makes hormonal side effects more likely and isn\u2019t recommended. If Propecia isn\u2019t helping with your hair loss, talk to your doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Who Should Not Take Propecia?<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1080\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/3.jpeg-3.jpg\" alt=\"finasteride bottles\" width=\"780\" height=\"439\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>Women<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> should not take Propecia, and <\/span><b>women who are pregnant or may become pregnant<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> should not handle Propecia. Because women have lower testosterone levels than men, even a small dose can potentially cause hormonal problems and birth defects. Children should also not take Propecia for similar reasons.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Among men, the biggest concern is a possibility of hormone-related issues. Men who are experiencing <\/span><b>erectile dysfunction<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (ED) that may be caused by hormonal imbalances should discuss the impacts with their doctor before taking Propecia. If you\u2019ve ever had <\/span><b>prostate cancer <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or <\/span><b>liver disease<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or if men in your family have ever had <\/span><b>breast cancer<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, ask your doctor about possible risks tied to these diseases.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Are There any Potential Drug Interactions with Propecia?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While there are no known major drug interactions as of this writing, a number of medications can cause moderate or minor reactions when taken with finasteride. These include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aspirin<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cialis (tadalafil)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CoQ10 (ubiquinone)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Crestor (rosuvastatin)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eliquis (apixaban)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fish oil (omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flomax (tamsulosin)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lipitor (atorvastatin)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Metoprolol succinate ER (metoprolol)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Metoprolol tartrate (metoprolol)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MiraLAX (polyethylene glycol 3350)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plavix (clopidogrel)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re taking any of these medications, it\u2019s a good idea to check with your doctor before taking Propecia. Likewise, speak to your provider if you experience new or unusual symptoms after beginning Propecia.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Get the Lowest Price for Propecia with BidRx<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re looking to keep your hair, you shouldn\u2019t have to pay more for finasteride. BidRx helps you get the lowest price for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/home\/Medicine_Details\/propecia-1-mg-tablet\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Propecia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by putting your prescription up for bid by pharmacies across the country. Pick the price and pharmacy that works best for you, and have it shipped right to your door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/home\/Contents\/medication\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">our medications page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to learn how you can save on all your prescriptions.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Propecia can help men with hair loss. Learn how Propecia works, who can take it and who should avoid it, and how you can get the lowest price on Propecia.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1300,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1075","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pricing"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1075","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1075"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1075\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1081,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1075\/revisions\/1081"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1300"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1075"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1075"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1075"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}