Proscare 5 mg

Proscare 5 mg is an oral medication primarily used for the treatment of male pattern baldness. The active ingredient is finasteride, a member of a class of drugs known as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. Proscalpin is formulated as a 5 mg finasteride tablet for hair loss. It addresses the hormonal cause of this same condition. This treatment is for adult men only. This medicine is considered by dermatologists when hair loss is persistent or when treatment with other options has not provided the expected benefit.

Key Features

How does Proscare 5 mg work?

Proscare 5 mg works by blocking an enzyme in the body called 5-alpha-reductase. This enzyme metabolizes the hormone testosterone to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the primary hormone that causes hair follicles on the scalp to shrink. This is called follicle miniaturization and results in shorter and thinner hairs. Proscalpin works by reducing the DHT levels on the scalp. It helps to prevent further hair loss. It promotes hair growth. Most patients need to take the drug every day for three months or longer before they see any benefits.

Usages

Take the Proscare 5 mg capsule as prescribed. It can be taken with or without food, ideally at the same time each day to help maintain a routine.

If you forget to take a dose, take it when you remember. Do not take two capsules at the same time to make up for missing a dose, unless instructed by your doctor.

Just because you don’t see immediate results, don’t stop taking the medicine. Don’t change or stop treatment without talking to your dermatologist.

Dosage

For male pattern baldness, the usual dose of Proscalpin is one tablet of 5 mg once a day. The specific program will be decided by a doctor for your specific needs. You can take the tablet with food or without food. Take Proscalpin at the same time every day, on a regular basis, for best results. For any effect, the medication needs to be taken for at least three months in a row.

Side effects

Proscare 5 mg can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them. Clinically relevant side effects may include:

• Changes in ejaculation, including reduced semen volume  
• Breast tenderness or enlargement  
• Testicular discomfort 
• Reduced sex drive  
• Mood changes, including low mood in some individuals  
• Allergic reactions such as rash, itching, swelling of the face or lips or breathing difficulty
• Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection  

Seek urgent medical attention if you develop signs of a serious allergic reaction. Discuss your individual risk and concerns with a healthcare professional before starting therapy.

Interactions

Finasteride is broken down by the liver. Medicines that slow down the liver enzyme will slow the breakdown of finasteride and increase the amount of finasteride in the body. 

This includes:

• HIV protease inhibitors such as ritonavir, antifungals such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin. 
• It should not be taken with dutasteride or other DHT blockers, as it can cause increased side effects. 
• Cimetidine and finasteride Cimetidine may increase the blood levels of finasteride. 
• When finasteride is combined with oral minoxidil or spironolactone, fluid shifts or electrolyte changes may occur and require monitoring. 
• Concurrent use of herbal supplements such as saw palmetto and finasteride may have additive mechanisms or side effects. 

Do not take Proscalpin together with other medicines that lower DHT unless directed to do so by your doctor. Tell your doctor about all your medicines, including any medicines you buy without a prescription.

Pharmacokinetics

Proscare 5 mg contains finasteride which is absorbed after oral administration and reaches peak blood concentration within 1 to 2 hours. It is very protein bound in the blood and is metabolized primarily in the liver.

Another important characteristic of finasteride is its half-life, which is approximately 5 to 6 hours in young adults and up to 8 hours in the elderly. This means small amounts of the medicine can stay in the body for about 30 hours (a little over 1 day) after treatment is discontinued.

Precautions

Proscare 5 mg Capsule is usually for use by adult men only for hair loss.  

• Pregnant women or women who may become pregnant should not handle leaking or broken capsules of finasteride because of the possibility of absorption of finasteride through the skin and the potential for fetal risk.  
• If your healthcare professional advises it and if your partner is or could become pregnant, use reliable contraception.  
• Do not donate blood during treatment and for at least 6 months after the last dose because the donated blood may be given to a pregnant recipient.  
• Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, depression, sexual health problems or a history of breast disorders.  
• Finasteride can reduce the PSA reading. Tell your doctor that you are taking it before prostate screening or PSA testing.  
• Do not use this medication yourself to treat unexplained hair loss. Any sudden, patchy, or scarring hair loss should be medically evaluated.

Conclusion

Proscare 5 mg Capsule may be prescribed for some men with androgenetic alopecia because it decreases DHT, a major hormone in male pattern baldness. However, its use for hair loss is in many settings but should be based on a dermatologist’s assessment.

A personalized treatment plan may also include scalp assessment, lifestyle advice, topical therapies or other hair-loss treatments. Use Avodart only as directed and before you start treatment, talk about the possible benefits, side effects and need for follow-up.

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