Finasteride, also known by its brand name Fincar, is a medication used to treat a variety of medical conditions, most commonly male pattern baldness, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and male sexual dysfunction. It is a synthetic drug belonging to the class of drugs known as 5α-reductase inhibitors.
History of Discovery
Finasteride was developed by Merck & Co. and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1992. It was the first drug approved for the treatment of male pattern baldness.
Uses
Finasteride is used to treat male pattern baldness, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and male sexual dysfunction. It works by blocking the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that is responsible for hair loss and other medical conditions.
Active Ingredients
The active ingredient in Fincar is finasteride, a synthetic 5α-reductase inhibitor. It is available in a 1mg tablet form.
Synonyms
Finasteride is also known by its brand name Fincar, as well as Proscar, Propecia, and Avodart.
Side Effects
The most common side effects of Fincar include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, decreased ejaculate volume, gynecomastia, and breast tenderness or enlargement. Other less common side effects include rash, itching, hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, and testicular pain.
Conclusion
Finasteride (Fincar) is a synthetic 5α-reductase inhibitor used to treat male pattern baldness, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and male sexual dysfunction. It works by blocking the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that is responsible for hair loss and other medical conditions. Although it is effective in treating these conditions, it can also cause a variety of side effects, including decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, decreased ejaculate volume, gynecomastia, and breast tenderness or enlargement.