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What are the side effects of Propecia?

Propecia (a brand name for finasteride) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of male-pattern baldness—a hereditary condition caused by an excess of hormones called androgens. Propecia works by decreasing the production of these hormones.

Side effects with Propecia have been reported by fewer than one in 50 (2%) of men treated. Side effects may include dizziness, headache, abdominal pain, decreased sex drive, impotence, swollen or tender breasts and decreased volume of ejaculate. You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience any rare side effects such as a skin rash, hives or swelling of the face or lips.

Children or women should not use Propecia. Women who are pregnant or those who may become pregnant should not take or handle this drug because there is a risk of birth defects in male babies.

Sources:
Micromedex Healthcare Series. Micromedex Inc., 2000.
Propecia product information, Merck & Co. Inc., 1999.
McClellan, K.J. "Finasteride: A Review of Its Use in Male Pattern Hair Loss," Drugs. 57, 1999.
Price, V.H. " Drug Therapy: Treatment of Hair Loss," The New England Journal of Medicine. 341 (1999).
Sawaya M.E. " Androgenetic alopecia. New approved and unapproved treatments." Dermatologic Clinics. 18 (2000).

This answer prepared 1/25/01.