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What Are The Side Effects Of Finasteride?

Posted on Mon, 18 Aug 2014

Question: Hi, my doctor recently prescribed me finpecia(finasteride) with 10% minoxydil.I got to know about side effects of finpecia and I am scared about it's usage.How often do you get to see the side effects like impotence etc? and are these side effects permanent? and even if we start taking it when can we discontinue ?

Answered by Dr. Ilyas Patel (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Finasteride

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

You may be having androgenetic alopecia. And that is why your dermatologist prescribed finasteride 1 mg daily along with minoxidil10% solution to apply on scalp.

Finasteride is a wonderful drug widely used in whole world for androgenetic alopecia and benign prostatic hypertrophy.

Sexual side effects like impotency, reduced sexual desire and ejaculation problem may occur in patients after long time use. Reports are there that the over all side effects may occur in less than 6 % patients. Sexual side effects would be even less percentage.

I use it in my patients from its availability. I have prescribed in more than thousand patients..but, not a single patient has complained about sexual side effects. So, you may use it without fear for long time, Or till good results. Generally good result is found after two to five years.

I hope you got my answer. Still, any query, you may ask.

Thanks.

Dr. Ilyas Patel MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari

Follow up: Dr. Ilyas Patel (12 minutes later)

Thank you for your answer.I would like to ask one more query.

My doctor also asked me to perform blood and urine test after regular interval of time.I have been told it's to monitor the side effects.When we stop taking finpecia what happens ? our DHT level rises and results in hair fall again ?

Answered by Dr. Ilyas Patel (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Finesteride

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome back..

I do not advise for blood tests in my patients who are on finesteride. If your doctor advises, you may follow.

It is certain, to have relapse of hair fall after stopping the finesteride.

You may continue finesteride for few years with monitoring the blood and urine tests.

Thanks.

Dr. Ilyas Patel MD

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari