Proscar
Description
PROSCAR is a medication that helps shrink the prostate in many men. This can lead to improvement of symptoms. You may need to take PROSCAR for 6 months or more to see whether it improves your symptoms. PROSCAR has been shown to reduce the risk of a sudden inability to pass urine, referred to as acute urinary retention, and the need for surgery—potential long-term serious consequences of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Recommendations
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. TAKE THIS MEDICINE at the same time each day. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. This medicine may be crushed if difficult to swallow.
STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and light. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE and you remember the same day, take it as soon as possible. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Precautions
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product.
IT MAY TAKE 6 TO 12 MONTHS for this medicine to work. Do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are taking this medicine. This medicine may alter certain laboratory test results such as a PSA test. Make sure all of your doctors and laboratory personnel know that you are taking this medicine.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
FOR WOMEN: THIS MEDICINE IS NOT INTENDED FOR USE IN WOMEN OR CHILDREN.
Ingredients
PROSCAR (finasteride), a synthetic 4-azasteroid compound, is a specific inhibitor of steroid Type II
5?-reductase, an intracellular enzyme that converts the androgen testosterone into
5?-dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Finasteride is 4-azaandrost-1-ene-17-carboxamide, N-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-oxo-,(5-,17-)-. The
empirical formula of finasteride is C23H36N2O2 and its molecular weight is 372.55.
Finasteride is a white crystalline powder with a melting point near 250°C. It is freely soluble in
chloroform and in lower alcohol solvents, but is practically insoluble in water.
