What drug classification is finasteride?

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Finasteride is in a class of medications called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. Finasteride treats BPH by blocking the body’s production of a male hormone that causes the prostate to enlarge. Finasteride treats male pattern hair loss by blocking the body’s production of a male hormone in the scalp that stops hair growth.

What does the drug Proscar do?

Finasteride is used to shrink an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) in adult men. It may be used alone or taken in combination with other medications to reduce symptoms of BPH and may also reduce the need for surgery.

Is Proscar an alpha blocker?

Flomax and Proscar belong to different drug classes. Flomax is an alpha-blocker and Proscar is an inhibitor of steroid Type II 5a-reductase.

Is Proscar a corticosteroid?

Finasteride is a steroid-like medication frequently prescribed to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate) and male pattern baldness. You’ll most likely find it in medicine cabinets and pharmacies as the brand names Proscar or Propecia, although a generic version is also available.

Is finasteride an alpha blocker?

Synopsis: Doxazosin is an alpha blocker that reduces smooth muscle tone in the prostate and bladder neck; finasteride is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor that reduces prostate volume.

What is the difference between Proscar and finasteride?

Proscar and Propecia are trade names for the same drug, finasteride. The difference between the two is in dosage and indication. Proscar is 5 mg of finasteride and is indicated for the treatment of BPH. Propecia is 1 mg of finasteride and is indicated for the treatment of male pattern baldness.

Is Proscar a diuretic?

Lasix and Proscar and Propecia belong to different drug classes. Lasix is a diuretic (“water pill”) and Proscar and Propecia are 5a-reductase inhibitors.

Is finasteride an alpha or beta blocker?

Finasteride is in the drug class 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. Finasteride is used to treat the following conditions: Androgenetic Alopecia. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

What are alpha blockers?

Alpha blockers are a type of blood pressure medication. They lower blood pressure by preventing a hormone called norepinephrine from tightening the muscles in the walls of smaller arteries and veins. As a result, the blood vessels remain open and relaxed. This improves blood flow and lowers blood pressure.

Is finasteride a testosterone blocker?

Finasteride blocks the action of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. This enzyme changes testosterone to another hormone that causes the prostate to grow or hair loss in males. It will increase testosterone levels in the body, which decreases prostate size and increases hair growth on the scalp.

What are examples of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors?

Drugs in the 5-ARI class are finasteride and dutasteride. These drugs are marketed under the brand-names Proscar, Propecia, Avodart, and Jalyn. Finasteride is available in two different strengths: Proscar 5 mg tablets and Propecia 1 mg tablets.

What is an alpha 5 blocker?

5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are a group of drugs that are used in the treatment of an enlarged prostate gland (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and male pattern hair loss.

What are the side effects of taking Proscar?

What Are Side Effects of Proscar?

impotence,
loss of interest in sex,
trouble having an orgasm,
abnormal ejaculation,
swelling in your hands or feet,
swelling or tenderness in your breasts,
dizziness,
weakness,

Does Proscar affect PSA?

Purpose: Studies have shown that finasteride decreases prostate specific antigen (PSA) by approximately 50% during the first 12 months of use.

Does finasteride affect kidney function?

Recently, it has been shown that finasteride may cause renal damage, inducing apoptosis and tubular changes10.

Does finasteride increase urination?

Among men with symptoms of urinary obstruction and prostatic enlargement, treatment with finasteride for four years reduces symptoms and prostate volume, increases the urinary flow rate, and reduces the probability of surgery and acute urinary retention.

Which is the best alpha-blocker for BPH?

Many consider alfuzosin 10 mg to be the superior alpha blocker currently available for treating BPH because it achieves clinically significant improvements in LUTS and has no significant effects on dizziness, asthenia, and ejaculatory dysfunction.

Which drugs are alpha blockers?

Examples of alpha blockers

Doxazosin (Cardura)
Prazosin (Minipress)
Terazosin.

Which drug is best for BPH?

Alpha blockers — which include alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), tamsulosin (Flomax) and silodosin (Rapaflo) — usually work quickly in men with relatively small prostates.

Does finasteride affect memory?

Finasteride and memory loss

In some very rare circumstances, Finasteride has been linked to memory loss. This tends to be part of a wider problem known as post finasteride syndrome (PFS) which is experienced by a very small percentage of men who take Finasteride.

What are the serious side effects of finasteride?

Serious side effects
Some people may notice these side effects after taking finasteride for a few months. Speak to your doctor if you get: any lumps, pain or swelling in your chest area or discharge from your nipples – these may be signs of a serious condition such as breast cancer.

What is the action of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors?

5-alpha reductase inhibitors are used to shrink an enlarged prostate gland and to improve the flow of urine in a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A 5-alpha reductase inhibitor is a type of enzyme inhibitor.

Does finasteride affect the kidneys?

However, as indicated by recent studies on androgen deprivation therapies (ADTs), it is possible that finasteride has an adverse effect on kidneys. A multiple cohort study with newly diagnosed non-metastatic prostate cancer showed that the use of ADT increased the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) [6].

Who should not take 5-alpha reductase inhibitors?

5‐alpha‐reductase inhibitors should not be used during pregnancy as they inhibit the conversion of testosterone to 5‐alpha‐ dihydrotestosterone. This may cause abnormalities of the external genitalia of a male fetus 4.

How long can you take Proscar?

PROSCAR shrinks the prostate gland slowly. Therefore, you may need to take PROSCAR for 6 months or longer to see whether it helps you. If it does help your symptoms, you may need to take PROSCAR every day. Continue taking PROSCAR for as long as your doctor prescribes.