Oral Finasteride

Oral Finasteride is a medication used for treating androgenetic alopecia, more commonly known as Male Pattern Baldness.

This treatment plan covers the overall benefits and the risks of the medicine we are recommending. Please take the time to review it along with the manufacturer’s pamphlet that you receive together with the medicine. The manufacturer’s pamphlet contains the full information on the medicine, including interactions, side effects, and other relevant information you should know about the treatment before you start.

This treatment plan is prescribed to help address Male Pattern Baldness or androgenetic alopecia. Oral Finasteride helps with hair regrowth when used regularly or as prescribed. The main action is to prevent further hair loss on the scalp. It normally takes at least 3 months of regular use to start seeing results, and maximum results can be seen within 2 years of regular and consistent use. You may also use Oral Finasteride with Topical Minoxidil to enhance hair regrowth and further prevent hair loss.

Ready for a refill? You can conduct a return visit to help screen for any side effects before getting a refill. You may also message us directly to inquire about your refill visit.

This medicine contains the following active ingredients: Finasteride. If you happen to be allergic to it or any of its similar components, or any other components listed in the manufacturer’s insert, you are strongly advised not to take it and call/message us for further guidance.

Oral Finasteride may cause an allergic reaction if you are allergic to any of its similar medicines or components. If that’s the case, please stop using the medicine and call or message us. Better yet, see your doctor in-person.

We have evaluated your condition based on your health history and other health information you have provided. But if anything changes, or should you develop any one of these conditions, please stop taking this medicine immediately and call or message us.

Women should not take this medicine. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not handle this medicine either. Please call or message us or talk to a doctor in-person for any concerns.

Common side effects include rash, breast tenderness or enlargement (reported in less than 1% of patients) that typically resolves after the medication is stopped, sexual dysfunction (in clinical trials, 1.2%-1.4% of those men who took Finasteride experienced a medication-associated sexual dysfunction side effects such as erectile dysfunction, low libido, and decrease in the ejaculation volume vs. 1% of those who took placebo):

Several studies show that majority of the above side effects are reversible. However, 1.4% of the patients who experienced these side effects may continue to have symptoms even after discontinuation of Finasteride. This is to further note that there has been an association of the sexual dysfunction symptoms and the use of NSAIDS (Motrin, Advil, Aleve type medications.) For this reason, Finasteride should be stopped for a period of time especially when taking NSAIDS.

A literature review noted that there may be evidence of increased depressive symptoms in individuals younger than 45 years old while medicating with Finasteride for hair loss. Patients with new or worsening symptoms of depression are strongly advised to stop using Finasteride. Please follow up with your health care provider or a mental health therapist instead.

Source: MEDPAGETODAY.ORG

There have been reports documented on a slight increased risk (1.8% with 5mg Finasteride dosage versus 1.0% placebo) of high grade prostate cancer for men over 55 years old. However, these reports are noted from men taking a higher dosage of Finasteride (5mg). The dosage we typically prescribe for hair loss is only 1mg.

There are conflicting studies on the increased risk of high grade prostate cancers; however, several recent studies show no increase in the number of deaths (with a recent study showing fewer deaths) in patients who use Finasteride at the 1mg dosage. Finasteride can be beneficial in the treatment of BPH and urinary retention because it can have an antiandrogenic effect (testosterone blocking) at a 5mg dosage. For treating hair loss, patients may be given a 1mg dosage, which is safe and does not create an anti-androgenic effect.

Finasteride may affect a blood test called PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) which is conducted for the screening of prostate cancer. Should you have a PSA test conducted, you must inform your healthcare provider that you are taking Finasteride as this treatment (Finasteride) can decrease PSA levels.

These are less common side effects associated with Finasteride use:

Please inform your healthcare provider should you notice or experience any side effect/s that don’t go away. Do take note that these are not all of the possible side effects of Finasteride. For more information, you can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Talk to your doctor for medical advice regarding any side effects. You may also report side effects directly to FDA at this hotline: 1-800-FDA-1088

Your healthcare provider must have evaluated your medical history and reviewed the health information you have provided. But should changes arise, and if you develop any condition while taking these treatments, please do not take this medicine, and call or message us right away. Some of these may create dangerous interactions with other medicines you are prescribed. Bring this to your healthcare provider’s attention for them to evaluate its risks and develop a safe treatment plan.

We have assessed your health history and other health information you have provided us, and have made recommendations based on these. Failing to provide honest, correct, and accurate information can put you at risk of being misdiagnosed / for your conditions to not be treated properly. This is critical. Please bear this in mind. Should any changes arise, or if you need to update and clarify some information about your health, message or call us anytime.

This treatment may not be 100% effective. It could only work partially or may not at all resolve the condition for which you are seeking treatment. In case the treatment does not work, or you are experiencing side effects or worsening symptoms, you are encouraged to call or message us anytime. You may also directly call 911 or seek medical help immediately, in cases of emergency. In such instances, you may need to seek alternative treatment such as those listed below or in the follow-up plan.

Each time, there is always a risk for your healthcare provider to misdiagnose your condition, which in turn affects their recommendation for treatment. This risk is always present with a doctor in person, although finding additional signs and symptoms could aid in the assessment. The healthcare practitioners practicing through the Caredocnow platform rely on evidence-based practice, health guidelines, and clinical decisions for support to minimize these risks.

These are the common diagnoses we normally attempt to rule out:

When your healthcare provider recommends a treatment, it’s deemed to be the most suitable treatment for you, meaning, potential benefits would outweigh potential risks. However, you are entitled to evaluate this information. Gather your own thoughts with the aid of the manufacturer’s insert, any inputs from your in-person healthcare team, as well as other relevant information you can get hold of, in order to decide if the treatment plan is appropriate for you. Regardless of what is recommended, it will still be up to you. You are free to not follow the recommendations given you, although this comes with risks typically associated with no treatment.

Your healthcare provider will always base their recommended treatment on the medical information you’ve provided and the medical guidelines appropriate for your case. But do know that alternative treatments are always available to you, even helpful in some cases. Some of these treatments may necessitate an in-person exam or procedure that the online platform cannot fulfill. You can still talk to us for advise or directly to your doctor in-person to consider these alternative treatments.

Alternative treatments or strategies that you may consider:

You may access your records at Caredocnow any time. We strongly recommend that you update your healthcare provider, pharmacist, and the rest of your in-person health care team regarding any new medicines you are taking or adding into your treatment plan. Feel free to ask a question, call or message us anytime for any health concerns. We will be pleased to share important health information about you with your in-person health care team.