What is PROPECIA used
for?
PROPECIA
is used for the treatment of male pattern hair loss on the vertex and
the anterior mid-scalp area. PROPECIA is for use by MEN ONLY
and should NOT be used by women or children.
What
is male pattern hair loss?
Male
pattern hair loss is a common condition in which men experience thinning
of the hair on the scalp. Often, this results in a receding hairline
and/or balding on the top of the head. These changes typically begin
gradually in men in their 20s. Doctors
believe male pattern hair loss is due to heredity and is dependent on
hormonal effects. Doctors refer to this type of hair loss as
androgenetic alopecia.
What
are the results of Propecia clinical studies?
For 12 months, doctors studied over 1800
men aged 18 to 41 with mild to moderate amounts of ongoing hair loss. Of
these men, approximately 1200 with hair loss at the top of the head
participated in additional extension studies, resulting in a total study
time of up to five years. In general, men who took PROPECIA maintained
or increased the number of visible scalp hairs and noticed improvement
in their hair in the first year. Improvement, compared to the start of
the study, was maintained through the remaining years of treatment. Hair
counts in men who did not take PROPECIA continued to decrease.
In
one study, patients were questioned on the growth of body hair. PROPECIA
did not appear to affect hair in places other than the scalp.
Will
PROPECIA work for me?
For most men, PROPECIA increases the
number of scalp hairs in the first year of treatment, helping to fill in
thin or balding areas of the scalp. In addition, men taking PROPECIA may
note a slowing of hair loss. Although results will vary, generally you
will not be able to grow back all of the hair you have lost. There is
not sufficient evidence that PROPECIA works in the treatment of receding
hairline in the temporal area on both sides of the head.
Male pattern hair loss occurs gradually
over time. On average, healthy hair grows only about half an inch each
month. Therefore, it will take time to see any effect.
You may need to take PROPECIA daily for
three months or more before you see a benefit from taking PROPECIA.
PROPECIA can only work over the long term if you continue taking it. If
the drug has not worked for you in twelve months, further treatment is
unlikely to be of benefit. If you stop taking PROPECIA, you will likely
lose the hair you have gained within 12 months of stopping treatment.
You should discuss this with your doctor.
PROPECIA
is not effective in the treatment of hair loss due to androgenetic
alopecia in postmenopausal women. PROPECIA should not be taken by women.
How
should I take PROPECIA?
Follow your doctor’s instructions.
- Take one tablet by mouth each day.
- You may take PROPECIA with or without
food.
- If you forget to take PROPECIA, do not
take an extra tablet. Just take the next tablet as usual.
PROPECIA
will not work faster or better if you take it more than once a
day.
Who
should NOT take PROPECIA?
What
are the warnings about PROPECIA and pregnancy?
Women who are or may potentially be pregnant
must not use PROPECIA and should not handle crushed or broken tables of
PROPECIA. If a woman who is
pregnant with a male baby absorbs the active ingredient in PROPECIA,
either by swallowing or through the skin, it may cause abnormalities of
a male baby’s sex organs. If a woman who is pregnant comes into
contact with the active ingredient in PROPECIA, a doctor should be
consulted. PROPECIA tablets are coated and will prevent contact with the
active ingredient during normal handling, provided that the tablets are
not broken or crushed.
What
are the possible side effects of PROPECIA?
Like all prescription products, PROPECIA
may cause side effects. In clinical studies, side effects from PROPECIA
were uncommon and did not affect most men. A small number of men
experienced certain sexual side effects. These men reported one or more
of the following: less desire for sex; difficulty in achieving an
erection; and, a decrease in the amount of semen. Each of these side
effects occurred in less than 2% of men. These side effects went away in
men who stopped taking PROPECIA. They also disappeared in most men who
continued taking PROPECIA.
In general use, the following have been
reported: allergic reactions including rash, itching, hives and swelling
of the lips and face; problems with ejaculation; breast tenderness and
enlargement; and testicular pain.
Tell
your doctor promptly about these or any other unusual side effects.
PROPECIA can affect a blood test called PSA
(Prostate-Specific Antigen) for the screening of prostate cancer. If you
have a PSA test done, you should tell your doctor that you are taking
PROPECIA.
How
should I store and handle PROPECIA?
Keep PROPECIA in the original container
and keep the container closed. Store it in a dry place at room
temperature. PROPECIA tablets are coated and will prevent contact with
the active ingredient during normal handling, provided that the tablets
are not broken or crushed.
Do
not give your PROPECIA tablets to anyone else. It has been prescribed
only for you. Keep PROPECIA and all medications out of the reach of
children.