Finasteride, Propecia ® Symptoms and Causes | Treatment of Finasteride, Propecia ®

Finasteride, Propecia® Drug and Cure

Finasteride (fin-AS-tur-ide) is a medicine which belong to the group of medicines known as enzyme inhibitors. As the name suggests, it is an enzyme inhibitor. It is used to treat urinary problems caused by enlargement of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH).

In men with enlarged prostates and mild to moderate symptoms (difficulty urinating, decreased flow of urination, hesitation at the beginning of urination, getting up at night to urinate), finasteride may decrease the severity of symptoms. Finasteride may also reduce the chance that surgery on the prostate will be needed.

How does finasteride affect the body's hormonal / endocrine system?

Finasteride (brand name - Propecia®) is a specific type II 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. That is, it inhibits the enzyme responsible for regulating conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). By reducing DHT levels in the scalp, the drug decreases DHT's effects on the hair follicles, reversing the process of hair loss.

Can women with hair loss use finasteride?

Finasteride is not indicated for use in women since it is harmful to the growing foetus in pregnant women. Finasteride is not indicated in women when they are or may potentially be pregnant, because it may cause abnormalities of the external genitalia of a male fetus.

Does finasteride grow hair on other parts of the body?

Finasteride is a specific inhibitor of type II 5-alpha reductase, which is found primarily in scalp hair follicles. In clinical trials, there was no reported effect on hair on the other parts of the body.