Finast represents a significant advancement in the pharmacological management of androgen-dependent conditions, offering targeted 5α-reductase inhibition with a well-established efficacy and safety profile. This oral medication, containing finasteride as its active pharmaceutical ingredient, is specifically formulated to address the underlying hormonal pathways involved in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss). Through selective enzyme inhibition, Finast provides a mechanism-based therapeutic approach that has been validated through extensive clinical trials and decades of real-world use across global patient populations. Its targeted action minimizes systemic hormonal disruption while delivering measurable improvements in urinary symptoms and hair retention.

Features

• Contains 1mg or 5mg finasteride per tablet for condition-specific dosing
• Selective type II 5α-reductase enzyme inhibition
• High oral bioavailability with approximately 63% absorption
• Peak plasma concentration within 1-2 hours post-administration
• Mean terminal half-life of approximately 6-8 hours in adults
• Hepatic metabolism primarily via CYP3A4 enzyme system
• Renal excretion as metabolites with minimal unchanged drug
• Film-coated tablets for ease of swallowing and stability

Benefits

• Reduces prostate volume by approximately 20% within 6 months of therapy
• Improves maximum urinary flow rate by 1.5-2.0 mL/sec in BPH patients
• Decreases risk of acute urinary retention and BPH-related surgery by approximately 50%
• Increases hair count by approximately 10% at 6 months and 16% at 24 months in male pattern hair loss
• Maintains therapeutic effect with once-daily dosing regimen
• Provides predictable and sustained suppression of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels

Common use

Finast is primarily indicated for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia in men with an enlarged prostate to improve urinary flow and reduce the risk of acute urinary retention requiring catheterization or surgical intervention. Additionally, the 1mg formulation is approved for the treatment of male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in men to promote hair growth and prevent further hair loss. Off-label uses may include hirsutism management in select cases, though this application requires careful specialist supervision. Treatment response for BPH typically becomes evident within 4-6 months, while hair growth effects may require 3-6 months of continuous therapy before visible improvement.

Dosage and direction

For benign prostatic hyperplasia: The recommended dosage is one 5mg tablet administered orally once daily, with or without food. Treatment should be continued long-term unless ineffective or not tolerated. For male pattern hair loss: The recommended dosage is one 1mg tablet administered orally once daily, with or without food. Consistent daily administration is necessary to maintain benefit. Tablets should be swallowed whole and not crushed or divided. Dosage adjustment is not routinely required in elderly patients or those with mild to moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance >10 mL/min). For patients with hepatic impairment, caution is advised though no specific dosage adjustment is provided in prescribing information.

Precautions

Before initiating Finast therapy, a digital rectal examination (DRE) and appropriate diagnostic procedures should be performed to rule out prostate cancer, as finasteride reduces PSA levels by approximately 50%. Patients should be informed that decreased ejaculate volume may occur but does not indicate decreased sexual function. Regular monitoring of PSA levels is recommended, with establishment of a new baseline after 6 months of therapy. Women who are or may potentially be pregnant must not handle crushed or broken tablets due to risk of absorption through the skin and potential teratogenic effects to a male fetus. Caution should be exercised in patients with liver function abnormalities or history of obstructive uropathy.

Contraindications

Finast is contraindicated in the following populations: women who are pregnant or may become pregnant due to risk of abnormalities of external genitalia in male fetuses; pediatric patients; patients with hypersensitivity to finasteride or any component of the formulation; and patients with demonstrated hypersensitivity reactions to other 5α-reductase inhibitors. The medication is not indicated for use in women of childbearing potential, and appropriate contraception must be discussed when prescribing to men whose female partners are of reproductive potential.

Possible side effects

The most commonly reported adverse reactions (>1% incidence) include decreased libido (1.8%), erectile dysfunction (1.3%), ejaculation disorder (1.2%), and ejaculation volume decrease (0.8-2.8%). These sexual side effects typically resolve upon discontinuation in most patients, though persistent effects have been reported in post-marketing surveillance. Less common adverse effects include breast tenderness and enlargement (0.5%), rash (0.5%), and hypersensitivity reactions including lip swelling and testicular pain. Post-marketing reports have included depression, though causal relationship has not been definitively established. Laboratory abnormalities may include decreased prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels.

Drug interaction

Finast demonstrates no clinically significant interactions with antipyrine, digoxin, propranolol, theophylline, or warfarin. However, caution is advised when co-administering with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, or clarithromycin, as these may increase finasteride exposure. No dosage adjustment is recommended when administered with terazosin. Concurrent use with other 5α-reductase inhibitors (dutasteride) is not recommended due to potential additive effects without established benefit. No significant interactions have been observed with alpha-adrenergic blockers commonly used for BPH.

Missed dose

If a dose is missed, patients should take it as soon as remembered unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, the missed dose should be skipped and the regular dosing schedule resumed. Patients should not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Consistency in daily administration is important for maintaining stable DHT suppression, but occasional missed doses are not expected to significantly impact long-term therapeutic outcomes. Patients should be advised to establish a routine for daily administration to minimize missed doses.

Overdose

Single doses of finasteride up to 400mg and multiple doses up to 80mg/day for three months have been administered without significant adverse effects. In case of suspected overdose, symptomatic and supportive treatment should be instituted. Since finasteride is highly protein-bound, dialysis is not likely to be of benefit. Symptoms of overdose might include cardiovascular effects, but specific manifestations have not been well-characterized due to the wide safety margin. Medical attention should be sought for any intentional overdose or accidental ingestion by children or women of childbearing potential.

Storage

Store Finast tablets at controlled room temperature between 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) with excursions permitted between 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). Keep in the original container with the lid tightly closed to protect from moisture and light. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not use after the expiration date printed on the packaging. Properly discard any unused medication that is no longer needed or has expired. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour into a drain unless instructed to do so.

Disclaimer

This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Finast is a prescription medication that should be used only under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Individual results may vary, and not all patients will experience the described benefits. Patients should discuss their medical history, current medications, and treatment goals with their physician before initiating therapy. The full prescribing information should be consulted for complete details regarding use, warnings, and precautions.

Reviews

Clinical studies demonstrate that 70-80% of BPH patients experience significant improvement in urinary symptoms with Finast 5mg therapy, with International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) improvements of 3-4 points observed in majority of patients. In hair loss studies, 48% of men treated with Finast 1mg showed increased hair growth at 12 months versus 7% with placebo, with 66% of patients reporting stabilization or improvement of hair loss. Long-term extension studies show maintained efficacy over 5 years of continuous treatment. Real-world evidence supports the clinical trial findings, with high patient satisfaction rates particularly when expectations are properly managed regarding onset of effect and potential side effects.