What happens when you stop taking Propecia?

Propecia is a kind of medication that will only work in the body, so when the drug is expelled from your body and you stop taking it, its effects will stop too. This means that not only will you cease noticing new hair growth, but you will also revert to your normal rate of hair loss as your body begins to metabolize testosterone into dihydrotestosterone again.

If you have experienced side effects from Propecia or other related drugs, you must stop taking it and contact a medical professional if the effects continue.  

What kind of drug is Propecia?

The drug inhibits converting male hormone (testosterone) into DHT or dihydrotestosterone. It can treat hair loss in male patients. It also aids in treating men with enlarged prostate glands by shrinking them as well as cure urinary ailments or the need to pass urine very frequently, however you have very low to none to excrete. The drug also proved beneficial in reducing the probability of a patient’s inability to pass urine or acute urinary retention. This can eventually be costly and need to surgery.

Propecia is a brand name of the generic drug Finasteride.

How does Propecia work & what is the drug used for

Propecia is a drug that can prevent the male hormone testosterone from converting into the active kind of hormone with its 5 alpha-reductase inhibition. Its main function is to block the 5 alpha-reductase enzyme in the body of male patients. This enzyme is the one useful in turning testosterone to DHT, which is its active form.

When old age strikes men, their glands especially the prostate can be susceptible to becoming inflamed and become enlarged. This is due to testosterone being turned into the active version which is DHT within the prostate gland of the patient. When Propecia blocks the 5 alpha reductase, it will inhibit the formation of DHT and reduce the size of the male patient’s prostate gland.

Administering Propecia among male patients

Before administering the drug, your doctor will need some blood work and laboratory tests done on the patient and make sure that he is not suffering from any medical problem that can aggravate his condition or prevent him from taking Propecia. Patients must closely follow all directions as prescribed by your doctor. Take time to go through all the medical guidelines that can be found on the product’s label. Use the drug as directed by your medical doctor.

This medication is to be used only by men; however you have to ensure you have contacted your physician if you have anxiety or depression. This drug is not appropriate to be used by women, pediatric patients, or those that are below eighteen years old.

What to do before taking Propecia

Here are some points you have to consider before taking the medication:

1. Refrain from donating blood while on the medication. Especially if only 30 days have passed since you last took your medication. The drug can have an adverse effect in the foetal development of an infant when the blood donated goes to a pregnant woman.

2. Refrain from having unprotected sex if you are on Propecia medication. You should always use a condom to prevent passing the drug to your partner, especially if she is a woman who might become pregnant.

3. Inform your doctor if you are using the drug. Particularly for patients who are required for blood works to be done to assess their prostate PSA levels, because it can impact the blood test results.

Propecia warnings and other precautions

Do not use Propecia for women or children patients. The drug can result to severe foetal abnormalities for the child of women patient who were exposed to it during their pregnancy. If you are pregnant or fear to be pregnant, stay away from this medication.

Prior to taking this drug, make sure you check with your doctor. Do not attempt to take Propecia if you have allergies to its components. The drug must not be used on children or women. The drug can be easily absorbed in the epidermis, so pediatric patients and women must stay away from it at all times. It must not come in contact with a pregnant woman. When a woman inadvertently comes in close contact with the Propecia tablet that has been pulverized, make sure she washes her hand or the area exposed very thoroughly with mild soap and tap water. Continued use of this product can lead to prostate cancer in male patients, you have to ask your medical doctor before you use Propecia.

Make sure you inform your doctor as soon as possible if you have a history of liver or kidney disease, prostate cancer, problems urinating, bladder disease, or stricture of the urethra. Lastly, before you take Propecia consult with your doctor first.