Finasteride is a medicine commonly used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, a condition marked by enlargement of the prostate. Finasteride is a generic version of a medicine sold under a brand name Propecia. Propecia is, however, less concentrated form of the medicine, used for hair loss treatment, as opposed to the treatment of BPH in the case of Finasteride.

Available in a tablet form, Finasteride is manufactured and marketed in the UK by Milphram pharmaceutical company. It is administered once daily and it works by interfering with the transformation of testosterone to dihyrdotestosterone in the body with the help of a specialized catalyst enzyme.

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Enlarged prostate: A short overview

Enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (abbreviated to BPH) is a condition that is best known for causing difficulties with urination – from increasing the frequency of the need to pass urine to disruption of the consistent urinary flow. While it is not a serious condition in itself, BPH is in some cases directly related to prostate cancer. In those cases, blood in the urine will also be present.

BPH should be treated as soon as it is discovered since it can lead to numerous other complications including infection of the bladder or urinary tract, sometimes even necessitating surgery. Luckily, with modern medicines, enlarged prostate can be easily treated.

The prostate gland plays an important role of producing a thick white fluid which is second integral part of semen – the other one being sperm cells produced by the testicles. As prostate is located between the penis and the bladder, when it becomes enlarged and swollen, it will exert pressure on the urethra, partially obstructing it and causing the characteristic symptoms.

What causes BPH?

While the exact root causes of enlarged prostate are still not fully understood, there are some regularities which can be easily identified. For example, men aged 50 or more are significantly more likely to be affected by BPH. Some medical experts have put forward a hypothesis stating that this might be the case because after 50 years of age the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone becomes significantly accelerated. Medications such as Finasteride aim to slow down or even halt this process by limiting the activity of 5-alpha reductase enzyme which acts like a catalyst in this conversion.

Can I buy Finasteride online in the UK?

This medicine can be easily obtained from numerous online clinics within the United Kingdom. However, you should keep in mind that Finasteride is a prescription-only medicine, so if you are looking to buy it in the UK, you will have to provide or obtain a prescription. Luckily, most online clinics offer you the possibility to consult with their doctor, either through a live chat app or through a customized questionnaire. In either case, the doctor will inquire about your medical profile and history in order to correctly assess your suitability for this medicine.

If everything is in order and the prescription is issued, it will be instantly used to order the medicine and send it to the address you provided in a discreet, plain packaging.

How is Finasteride used?

In order to minimise the risk of side effects and at the same time optimise the results of the treatments and ensure noticeable results, you should always strictly adhere to the directions provided by your prescriber.

If you have any additional questions regarding Finasteride use, you should refer to the official patient information leaflet that you can find within every pack of the medicine. There is a detailed list of side effects, contraindications and also a detailed instruction on how the medicine should be used.

Here, we will provide you with a very brief overview of some of the most important guidelines, so you can get the general idea about what should you expect from Finasteride treatment.

  • Take the medicine in line with doctor’s directions
  • Usual dose is one tablet per day
  • While some users will notice positive effects very quickly, for majority of those using Finasteride, it will take around six months before the condition significantly improves
  • Finasteride is classified as a long-term treatment
  • If you forget to take a dose, do not try to compensate for it by doubling the next one – instead, just carry on with the treatment as usual

More in-depth guide is provided in the patient information leaflet, so before commencing the treatment, make sure to read it carefully.

Are there any known Finasteride side effects?

Before the beginning of the treatment, you should thoroughly read the official patient information leaflet that is issued with every pack. In addition, you should ensure that you fully understand the instructions presented to you by a doctor or a pharmacist. By doing so, you will minimize the risk of potential side effects.

However, it is also important to be familiar with the side effects so you can notice them early if they do manifest. You should contact your doctor immediately if:

  • Any of the side effects become serious or more pronounced
  • You become depressed or have suicidal thoughts
  • You notice changes in breast tissue (lumps, pain or nipple discharge)
  • You notice the usual symptoms of an allergic reaction

The documented side effects can be rather varied and, naturally, not everyone will experience them. If they do manifest, you will probably experience just a couple of the following:

  • Allergic reaction
  • Breast swelling
  • Testicular pain
  • Increased heartbeat
  • Decreased libido
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Problems with ejaculation
  • Elevated liver enzymes

Finasteride contraindications

There are several different scenarios when the doctor can opt against prescribing you this medicine. It can happen if there is a risk of interaction with other treatments you might be taking at the same time. Likewise, some other health conditions can be considered to be contraindications.

When it comes to drug interactions, Finasteride has been known to react harshly to presence minoxidil. At the same time, this medicine should not be used if you are already using other drugs with the same active ingredient for the treatment of enlarged prostate (like Proscar).

It is also important to note that this medicine should never be used by women. And this is especially important for pregnant women – they should avoid any contact with Finasteride since it may harm the development of their baby. As this medicine can also pass into semen of male users, it is important to always use a condom so that your partner doesn’t come into contact with the medicine.

Finally, as this medicine contains lactose, it shouldn’t be used by anyone who is lactose-intolerant.