Prosfin
Cheaper & Alternative Brands
Same generic (Finasteride [For B.P.H.]), same form (Tablet)
Clinical Prescribing Information
Medical monograph and safety information for healthcare professionals & patients.Indications & Clinical Uses
Pronor is indicated for the treatment and control of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)-
To cause regression of the enlarged prostate
To improve urinary flow
To improve the symptoms associated with BPH.
Dosage & Administration
The recommended dosage is one 5 mg tablet daily. Although early improvement may be seen, treatment for at least six months may be necessary to assess whether a beneficial response has been achieved. Thereafter, treatment should be continued.
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to any component of this medication. Finasteride use is also contraindicated in women and paediatric patient
Side Effects & Adverse Reactions
Pronor is well tolerated. In clinical studies, the following adverse experiences have been reported as possibly drug related in 1% of patients treated for 12 months with 5 mg Pronor daily: impotence (3.7%), decreased libido (3.3%), and decreased volume of ejaculate (2.8%).
Warnings & Precautions
General
: Since the beneficial response to Pronor may not be manifested immediately, patients with large residual urine volume and/or severely diminished urinary flow should be carefully monitored for obstructive uropathy.
Prostate cancer
: Digital rectal examination, as well as, other evaluations for prostate cancer, should be performed on patients with BPH prior to initiating therapy with Pronor and periodically thereafter. Pronor causes a decrease in serum concentration of markers of prostatic cancer such as prostate specific antigen (PSA); therefore, reduction of serum levels of these markers in patients with BPH treated with Pronor does not rule out concomitant prostate cancer. No clinical benefit has yet been demonstrated in patients with prostate cancer treated with Pronor.
Pharmacology & Mechanism of Action
Finasteride, a competitive inhibitor of the 5α reductase enzyme which is used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. It is selective for 5α reductase type 2 enzyme and has no affinity for androgen receptors. The development of the prostate gland and subsequent BPH is dependent upon conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) within the prostate. Finasteride belongs to a new class of specific inhibitors of 5α reductase, an intracellular enzyme, which metabolises testosterone into the more potent androgen, DHT. Finasteride has no affinity for the androgen receptor.