Brand Name

Proscar {Merck}

Generic Name

finasteride, pronounced fih NAH steh ride

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Proscar?

Proscar treats symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, in men with an enlarged prostate. Proscar works by improving urinary flow.

Proscar may also be given for purposes not described in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Proscar

Proscar prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone in your body. DHT is involved in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Proscar is for men only. Women who are exposed to Proscar while they are pregnant may be at risk of having a child with birth defects. Therefore, women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should be especially careful not to handle Proscar.

If women or children come in contact with Proscar tablets that are broken or crushed be sure to wash the area with soap and water immediately.

Do not donate blood for at least 6 months after you have finished your treatment with Proscar. Because Proscar can be carried in the blood, this medication could cause birth defects if a pregnant woman receives a transfusion with blood that contains Proscar.

Before You Take Proscar

If you have an allergy to finasteride or dutasteride (Avodart) you should not take Proscar.

Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, prostate cancer, or abnormal liver enzyme tests before starting treatment with Proscar.

If you have a bladder muscle disorder, stricture of your urethra or if you are unable to urinate you should talk to your doctor before taking Proscar.

Using Proscar may increase your risk of developing prostate cancer. You may need to have certain tests performed to make sure that you do not have any medical conditions that would prevent you from safely using Proscar. Your doctor will determine if these tests are necessary.

You should tell your doctor immediately if you have breast lumps, pain, nipple discharge, or other breast changes, as this may be signs of male breast cancer.

Proscar Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• antidepressants like nefazodone or Luvox (fluvoxamine)
• antifungal medications like itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole (Oravig) and voriconazole (Vfend)
• diltiazem
• heart or blood pressure medications like such as nicardipine (Cardene) or quinidine (Quin-G)
• HIV/AIDS medications like atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), saquinavir (Invirase) and ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Proscar. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Proscar

Take Proscar exactly as your doctor has told you to. Do not take Proscar in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Do not break, chew or crush Proscar. If women or children come in contact with Proscar tablets that are broken or crushed be sure to wash the area with soap and water immediately.

Proscar should be taken with a full glass of water.

Proscar may be taken with or without food.

Proscar needs to be stored at room temperature, and away from light, moisture and heat. Be sure to keep the bottle tightly closed in between use.

If you miss a dose of Proscar you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

Proscar Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Proscar and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• difficulty breathing
• hives
• swelling of your lips, tongue, face or throat

Less serious side effects of Proscar may include:

• abnormal ejaculation
• breast tenderness and swelling
• decreased libido
• faint feeling
• headache
• impotence
• runny nose
• semen amount decreased during intercourse
• skin rash

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Proscar. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Proscar Description and Dosing

Proscar is available as a 5 mg tablet. The tablet is blue, modified apple-shaped, film-coated and has the code MSD 72 on one side and Proscar on the other side.

The recommended dose of Proscar is one 5 mg tablet taken once a day. However, your doctor will tell you what the right dose of Proscar is for you. You should not alter your dose without talking to your doctor first.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Proscar you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Proscar

The main, active ingredient in Proscar isfinasteride. Inactive ingredients include hydrous lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, sodium starch glycolate, hydroxypropyl cellulose LF, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, titanium dioxide, magnesium stearate, talc, docusate sodium, FD&C Blue 2 aluminum lake and yellow iron oxide.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.