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Side Effects of Finasteride
What are the risks of using generic Propecia?
Finasteride is a common medicine used to treat hair loss in men. It’s the generic version of Propecia, and it works by stopping DHT (dihydrotestosterone) from being made, which is the hormone that causes hair loss in men.
Even though it’s effective for a lot of men who use it, finasteride can cause side effects for some people. Luckily, side effects are rare and they’re usually pretty mild if you do get them.
Last reviewed: 16-04-2020 by Dr Simran Deo
Contents
What finasteride side effects are there?
All medications can cause side effects, and the same is true for finasteride. It’s important to know that your doctor will have taken into account the risks and benefits of using finasteride before they prescribe it for you. Some of the side effects that you could have are listed below, if you get any of these, or think your medication is causing you to have other symptoms then talk to your doctor.
Common side effects (more than 1 in 100 men get these):
- trouble getting or keeping an erection (erectile dysfunction)
- low libido (sex drive)
- making less semen than normal
- changes to how you ejaculate
Uncommon side effects (less than 1 in 100 patients get these):
- changes to your breasts – soreness, swelling, tenderness
- skin reactions
Other side effects – it’s not clear how many men get these:
- palpitations (unusual heartbeat)
- painful testicles
- changes in the way your liver works
- signs of male breast cancer:
- breast lumps
- breast pain or tenderness
- nipple discharge
- any other breast changes
- Signs of an allergic reaction:
- swollen lips, tongue, throat or face
- dizziness or faintness
- a red or itchy skin rash
- difficulty breathing
In case of possible breast cancer you should arrange an appointment with your GP as soon as possible. If you’re suffering the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction such as a rash, facial or tongue swelling or difficulty breathing you should call 999.
Are they different from Propecia side effects?
Propecia is the brand name of the generic medicine finasteride. This means both have the same amount of the same active ingredient, and the side effects are the same for both. The only difference in some cases is that some manufacturers might use specific non-active ingredients (excipients), so there may be slight differences between Propecia and finasteride. It’s best to check the ingredients with your doctor to be completely sure.Are side effects different for men and women?
Finasteride isn’t normally used to treat hair loss in women. But there is research on the effect finasteride can have on women.
Many of the side effects of finasteride are the same for both men and women. But there are a few that only men or women get.
Side effects that only men experience:
- erectile dysfunction
- low libido
- making less semen than normal
- changes to how you ejaculate
Side effects that only women experience:
- if you’re pregnant, or think you might be, you shouldn’t touch crushed or broken finasteride tablets – this is because finasteride can be absorbed through the skin and could harm your baby
Side effects for both men and women:
- you might notice changes to your breasts, like lumps, pain, tenderness or a change in size – you need to make an appointment with your GP as soon as possible if this happens
How long do side effects last – are they ever permanent?
Side effects of finasteride can clear up after a few months while taking your treatment. You should keep your doctor updated on any side effects you’re having, and get in touch with them right away if any of these have lasted for a long time or have become serious.
You should also let them know if you’re still getting side effects even after you’ve stopped taking finasteride, since some of the side effects, like ejaculation disorders and poor semen quality, may carry on after you have stopped taking the medicine.
How to reduce the side effects
Every medicine can cause side effects, even though not everyone will get them, but there are a few things you could do which may help to reduce your chances of having side effects, or make your side effects less severe.
- Keep a symptom diary: a detailed symptom diary could be really useful when you have appointments with your doctor. You should try to note down your symptoms, when they occur, and other changes you might notice, like in your diet or lifestyle. Together, these can provide some clues about whether you’re having side effects from finasteride or something else.
- Take your medicine as you’ve been told to: if you take too much finasteride, you increase your risk of developing side effects, like decreased sex drive. Taking extra finasteride won’t make it work better or quicker, it will just put your health at risk. To make sure you don’t take too much, try using alarms, pill reminders, pill boxes etc.
What does the NHS have to say about the side effects?
The NHS and approve the use of finasteride, but they are also very clear about the risk of side effects that you might get when you take this medication. The NHS only offer Finasteride as a treatment for an enlarged prostate, and not as a treatment for hair loss. You can find more information on the NHS webpage on Finasteride.
Sources
- NICE (2017). Finasteride. [online] Available at: https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/finasteride.html [accessed 3rd August 2019] .
- Gov.uk (2017). Finasteride: rare reports of depression and suicidal thoughts.[online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/finasteride-rare-reports-of-depression-and-suicidal-thoughts [accessed 3rd August 2019].
- Mayoclinic (2019). Finasteride (oral route). [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/finasteride-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20063819?p=1 [accessed 3rd August 2019].
- Oliveira-Soares, R. et al (2013). Finasteride 5 mg/day treatment of patterned hair loss in normo-androgenetic postmenopausal women. Int J Trichology, Jan-Mar; 5(1): 22-25
- EMC (2018). Finasteride 5mg tablets. [online] Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/3493/pil [accessed 3rd August 2019].
- NHS (2017). Hair loss drugs linked with erectile dysfunction. [online] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/finasteride/ [accessed 3rd August 2019].
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