There are certain guidelines to abide by in each medication. Proscar (Finasteride) is not an exception. This effective drug for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) or prostate enlargement in men also contains many essential warnings and precautions that you need to be aware of before starting the treatment. Taking Proscar may lead to some potential side effects like reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, decreased amount of ejaculation, reduced prostate specific antigen levels, and breast alterations. Let’s get back to the warnings and precautions of Proscar (Finasteride). These include:

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Proscar is listed in the pregnancy Category X medication. This signifies that the drug is potentially harmful for women who are pregnant or may become pregnant if they come into contact with it. There is no question of women consuming Finasteride tablets as they are intended for men only. Pregnant women should not handle broken or crushed pills too as Finasteride can be absorbed through the skin and can cause birth defects in a male unborn baby. Wash the area immediately with soap and water if they accidentally touch damaged Proscar tablets.

It is yet to be confirmed whether Proscar passes into the breast milk. So, if you are currently breastfeeding or about to start breastfeeding, consult your doctor first regarding its consequences.

Before beginning your Proscar treatment, your physician must ascertain that your prostate enlargement symptoms are not the results of another condition like bladder problems or prostate cancer.

There are men with serious urinary symptoms such as severely diminished urine flow and very little evacuation of their bladder should be closely observed by their doctors. A Proscar (Finasteride) treatment may not be the best alternative for these men. Prostate cancer can not be prevented by Proscar single-handedly. Patients can suffer from both BPH and prostate cancer simultaneously.

Propecia can bring your prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels down. Prostate cancer can be detected by undergoing the PSA blood test. Your healthcare provider will feel the necessity to adjust your PSA test result if you are using Proscar (Finasteride). A faintly dissimilar blood test known as the ‘percent free PSA’ test that does not call for adjustment can be used by your physician.

Men with liver ailments like liver failure or cirrhosis should take the advice of their doctor before taking Proscar. As liver aids in cleaning out Proscar from the body, it could pile up in men with liver diseases.

Any changes in your breast condition must be reported to your doctor immediately. Proscar (Finasteride) is known to cause breast alterations like breast tenderness, breast enlargement, or tumors.