Finasteride, sold under the brand name Proscar, is a prescription medication used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia in adult men. It helps relieve symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate, such as difficulty urinating, weak urine stream, and frequent urination, especially at night. Finasteride works by lowering the levels of dihydrotestosterone, a hormone that contributes to prostate growth.<\/p>\n
By reducing this hormone, Finasteride gradually shrinks the prostate and alleviates pressure on the bladder and urethra. This leads to improved urine flow and a lower risk of complications such as urinary retention or the need for surgery. The treatment usually requires several months (three to six months) of continuous use to produce noticeable effects.<\/p>\n
Proscar is taken orally as a once-daily tablet. It is typically well tolerated and often prescribed for long-term use. Finasteride is sometimes used in combination with alpha-1-blockers for enhanced symptom relief in men with more severe cases.<\/p>\n
Common side effects may include a decrease in sex drive, difficulty with ejaculation, or breast tenderness. These effects are generally mild and\u00a0 and may be reversible upon discontinuation. Finasteride also lowers prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, so any PSA blood tests must be interpreted accordingly.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"