# Finasteride (Finasteride)

Source: https://ourhealthnetwork.com/drugs/finasteride
Data: FDA Orange Book and OpenFDA, refreshed periodically

## What is Finasteride?

Finasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. It is prescribed to treat prostatic hyperplasia, prostatic neoplasms, alopecia. Across the United States, 116,000 doctors prescribe Finasteride to approximately 1.4 million Medicare patients.

## Brand names

Finasteride

## Indications

Finasteride is prescribed for several conditions including prostatic hyperplasia, prostatic neoplasms, alopecia, among others.

## Conditions treated

- [Prostatic Hyperplasia](https://ourhealthnetwork.com/conditions/prostatic-hyperplasia)
- [Prostatic Neoplasms](https://ourhealthnetwork.com/conditions/prostatic-neoplasms)
- [Alopecia](https://ourhealthnetwork.com/conditions/alopecia)
- [Hirsutism](https://ourhealthnetwork.com/conditions/hirsutism)

## Mechanism of action

Finasteride is a competitive and specific inhibitor of Type II 5α-reductase, an intracellular enzyme that converts the androgen testosterone into DHT. Two distinct isozymes are found in mice, rats, monkeys, and humans: Type I and II.

## Drug classification

- Established Pharmacologic Class: 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitor [EPC]
- Mechanism of Action class: 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors [MoA]
- Route of administration: ORAL

## Common side effects

9 Integrated analysis of clinical adverse experiences showed that during treatment with finasteride tablets USP 36 (3.8%), of 945 men had reported one or more of these adverse experiences as compared to 20 (2.1%), The incidence of Gleason score 8 to 10 prostate cancer was higher in men treated with finasteride (1.8%), than in those treated with placebo (1.1%), 2 (0.8), 7 (0.4)

## Sources and disclaimers

- FDA Orange Book and OpenFDA dataset
- This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

## Related

- [All drugs](https://ourhealthnetwork.com/drugs)
- [Find specialists who prescribe this drug](https://ourhealthnetwork.com/find-doctors)
- [Methodology](https://ourhealthnetwork.com/methodology)