Proscar 5mg Uses, Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects & Important Information

Proscar 5mg contains finasteride, a prescription drug that is primarily used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with enlarged prostate. BPH can cause frequent urination, difficulty starting urination, weak urine flow, and not emptying the bladder completely. Proscar decreases the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that helps the prostate enlarge.

What is Proscar 5 mg?

Proscar 5mg is a film-coated tablet containing 5mg of finasteride. It’s a class of drug known as a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor. These drugs prevent the conversion of testosterone to DHT.

This means that finasteride can slowly reduce the size of the prostate and alleviate urinary symptoms caused by BPH. So if you have an enlarged prostate and troublesome urinary symptoms, your doctor may prescribe Proscar.

What does Proscar 5mg do?

Management of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Proscar 5mg is mainly used to treat symptomatic BPH in men with an enlarged prostate.

It might help:

• Worsen urinary symptoms
• Better urine flow
• Minimise the risk of acute urinary retention
• Lower the risk of BPH surgery
• Shrink prostate size over time

Proscar may also be prescribed with the alpha-blocker doxazosin to reduce the risk of BPH progressing and causing symptoms.

How Does Proscar Function?

Proscar blocks the Type II 5-alpha reductase enzyme. This enzyme converts testosterone into DHT. DHT is a key player in the growth of the prostate, and reducing DHT can lead to a gradual reduction in prostate size.

Important to keep in mind that Proscar is not a fast-acting drug to relieve urinary problems. Rather, the effects are cumulative with continued treatment.

Dosing Proscar 5 mg

BPH: Labelled adult dose is 1 tablet of 5mg once daily. Proscar may be taken with or without meals. But patients should not take their own decision to change the dose, they should follow their doctor’s advice.

Taking more than the amount that is recommended will not necessarily produce faster results and may increase the risk of unwanted effects.

Side effects of Proscar 5mg

Like all prescription medicines, Proscar may cause side effects. Some of the reported sexual side effects are:

• Reduced libido
• Erectile dysfunction.
• Reduction in semen volume

Some patients may also get breast tenderness or enlargement. If a patient finds a lump in the breast, breast pain or nipple discharge, they should inform their doctor.

Seek immediate medical attention if you have a serious, unusual or persistent reaction.

Important Cautions

Proscar is only for use by men and should not be used by women or children. Finasteride may cause problems in a developing male foetus. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not handle crushed or broken Proscar tablets.

Proscar is also not indicated for the prevention of prostate cancer. Men should continue to follow the recommendations of their health care professional for prostate health monitoring.

Proscar 5mg and PSA Test

Finasteride can affect the levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA). So if you are taking Proscar, be sure to tell your health care provider before you have a PSA test. A doctor may evaluate the PSA results in light of finasteride use.

Thus it remains important to have regular medical follow-up during treatment.

FAQs

What is Proscar 5mg for?

Proscar 5mg is primarily used to treat urinary symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia in men with an enlarged prostate.

Is Proscar the same as finasteride?

Yes. Proscar is the brand name of finasteride 5mg. Active ingredient finasteride 1 mg.

Does Proscar reduce prostate?

Yes. Finasteride lowers DHT levels and may slowly reduce prostate volume in men with BPH.

Can women use Proscar 5mg?

Proscar serves only men. Pregnant women or those who may become pregnant must avoid using or handling it if the tablets are crushed or broken, as it poses a potential risk to a male foetus.

Proscar receives approval for treating prostate problems, but it does not receive approval for preventing prostate cancer.

No. The current labelling for Proscar clearly states that this drug has not received approval for prostate cancer prevention.

Concluding Thoughts

Proscar 5mg (finasteride) is a proven prescription treatment for men with enlarged prostate and symptoms of BPH. Researchers believe it works by decreasing DHT, which helps reduce prostate size and improve urinary symptoms over time. Therapy may also reduce the risk of acute urinary retention and surgery due to BPH.

Proscar may also affect hormones , sexual function and PSA levels . Therefore patients should take Proscar under proper medical supervision . If patients have lasting side effects they should consult their healthcare provider .