How to use
Finasteride should be taken orally, once a day or as directed by your doctor. It may be taken with or without meals. Generally, you will need to use This medication daily for a period of three months or more before any effects or benefits are noticeable. Continued use is necessary for benefits to be sustained. Once treatment is stopped, it may lead to the reversal of the effects within 12 months. Take Finasteride exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Take this medicine with a full glass of water. To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your doctor will also test your prostate specific antigen (PSA) to check for prostate cancer. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Overdose
If you suspect an overdose, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. An overdose of Finasteride is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.

Missed dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

Notes
Do not share Finasteride with others, since they may have a problem that is not effectively treated by this drug.

Storage
Store Finasteride at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C), away from light and moisture. KEEP THIS AND ALL MEDICATIONS OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

Important note
The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed that taking this medicaton is safe, appropriate or effective for you.

Precautions
Before taking Finasteride, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this medication, or to a similar medicine called dutasteride (Avodart). Before using this medication, also inform your doctor of your medical history, especially of:

• Liver diseases

• Prostate cancer

• Urinary tract diseases

• Drug allergies

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using Finasteride. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall. Finasteride should NOT be used by women or children. The drug can be absorbed through the skin. If the film coating of the tablet has been broken or the tablet crushed, it should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or plans to become pregnant. Any contact with this medication by a developing male fetus could result in abnormalities of the external genitalia. If a woman accidentally comes into contact with this medication, wash the area with soap and water right away.

Drug interactions
There may be other drugs that can interact with Finasteride. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start any new medication without telling your doctor.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Finasteride:

• Hives
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat

Less serious side effects may include:

• Faintness, dizziness, weakness
• Swelling of the hands or feet
• Pain in the testicles
• Impotence, decreased sex drive or trouble having an orgasm
• Abnormal or decreased ejaculation
• Swelling or tenderness in the chest
• Headache
• Runny nose
• Skin rash

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effects. Call your doctor at once if you notice any breast lumps, pain, nipple discharge, or other breast changes. These may be signs of male breast cancer.