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****** DATA-MÉDICOS *********

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EL FINASTERIDE / THE FINASTERIDE 

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***** DERMAGIC-EXPRESS No 5 ******

****** 20 OCTUBRE DE 1.998 ******* 

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EDITORIAL ESPAÑOL:

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Saludos colegas, Dermagic de nuevo con ustedes, el tema de hoy EL FINASTERIDE (PROSCAR, PROPECIA). El finasteride, molécula aprobada por la FDA en 1992 para el tratamiento de la hiperplasia prostática benigna, y que posteriormente se descubrió su efectividad en el tratamiento de la ALOPECIA ANDROGENICA.

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DERMAGIC/EXPREES(5)

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EL F I N A S T E R I D E /THE FINASTERIDE

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REFERENCIA 1: finasteride e hirsutismo

REFERENCIA 2: finasteride y esteroidogenesis

REFERENCIA 3: finasteride y desarrollo genital (monos)

REFERENCIA 4: finasteride y prostatismo

REFERENCIA 5: finasteride y vasculitis cutanea

REFERENCIA 6: finasteride e hirsutismo.

REFERENCIA 7: finasteride y espironolactona en hirsutismo (mujeres)

REFERENCIA 8: finasteride crecimiento del cabello (monos)

REFERENCIA 9: finasteride e hirsutismo (mujeres)

REFERENCIA 10: finasteride y ginecomastia

REFERENCIA 11: finasteride e hirsutismo (mujeres)

REFERENCIA 12: finasteride y miopatia

REFERENCIA 13: finasteride en la WEB: Results Of New Study Confirm Propecia Works Only In Men

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1.) TI: Predominant expression of 5 alpha-reductase type 1 in pubic skin from normal subjects and hirsute patients.

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AU: Mestayer-C; Berthaut-I; Portois-MC; Wright-F; Kuttenn-F; Mowszowicz-I; Mauvais-Jarvis-P

AD: Department of Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Hopital Necker, Paris, France.

SO: J-Clin-Endocrinol-Metab. 1996 May; 81(5): 1989-93

ISSN: 0021-972X

PY: 1996

LA: ENGLISH

CP: UNITED-STATES

AB: Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the 5 alpha-reduced metabolite of testosterone, is the active molecule triggering androgen action, and 5 alpha-reductase (5 alpha-R), the enzyme converting testosterone to DHT, is a key step in this mechanism. Skin, like prostate, is a DHT- dependent tissue. Our laboratory demonstrated, many years ago, that 5 alpha-R in external genitalia was not regulated by androgens, whereas it was androgen dependent in public skin. As two genes, 5 alpha-R types 1 and 2, encoding for 5 alpha-R enzymes have been recently cloned, we undertook the present study to determine whether the two enzymes we had postulated on the basis of regulation studies were coincident with the cloned isoforms. The expression of the two isoforms was studied in genital and pubic skin fibroblasts from normal men, normal women, and hirsute patients. Messenger ribonucleic acid analysis, using Northern blot and RT-PCR techniques, indicated that both 5 alpha-R1 and -2 messenger ribonucleic acids are expressed in genital skin as well as in public skin fibroblasts. In contrast, studies using specific inhibitors of 5 alpha-R1 (LY306089) and 5 alpha-R2 (finasteride) showed that 5 alpha-R2 is predominant in pubic skin of normal men, normal women, and hirsute patients. These data raise the question of the possible use of specific 5 alpha-R1 inhibitors in the treatment of idiopathic hirsutism.

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2.) Effect of finasteride on human testicular steroidogenesis.

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Castro-Magana M; Angulo M; Fuentes B; Canas A; Sarrantonio M; Arguello R; Vitollo P

Department of Pediatrics, Winthrop-University Hospital, Mineola, New York 11501, 

USA.

J Androl (UNITED STATES) Sep-Oct 1996 17 (5) p516-21 ISSN: 0196-3635

Language: ENGLISH

Document Type: JOURNAL ARTICLE 

Journal Announcement: 9705

Subfile: INDEX MEDICUS

We studied the testicular function and some androgen-mediated events in 22 males 

(16-30 years of age) with male pattern baldness that was treated with finasteride (10 

mg once daily) for 2 years. Patients were evaluated every 3 months. Prostatic 

volume was determined in six subjects by endorectal ultrasound scans. Serum 

gonadotropin, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and sex hormone levels were determined 

basally and periodically during the treatment period. Fourteen subjects underwent 

gonadal stimulation with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and the gonadotropin 

response to gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) was determined in eight subjects, 

prior to and after 2 years of therapy. Finasteride treatment resulted in an 

improvement in the male pattern baldness and prostatic shrinkage that was associated 

with an increase in serum testosterone levels (17.2 +/- 2.5 vs. 26.3 +/- 1.7 nmol/L) 

and a decrease in dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels (1.45 +/- 0.41 vs. 0.38 +/- 0.10 

nmol/L), causing a marked increase in that testosterone/DHT ratio. A significant 

increase in the serum levels of androstenedione (3.67 +/- 0.49 vs. 7.05 +/- 0.70 

nmol/L) and estradiol (132 +/- 44 vs. 187 +/- 26 pmol/L) was also noted, whereas 

androstanediol glucoronide (33.3 +/- 6.4 vs. 10.7 +/- 4.5 pmol) and PSA (1.6 +/- 0.6 

vs. 0.4 +/- 0.1 ng/ml) were significantly decreased. No changes in basal or 

stimulated levels of gonadotropin were observed. There was a significant increase in 

the testosterone response to hCG during finasteride therapy (delta: 16.7 vs. 35.5 

nmol/L) that could be explained, at least in part, by the reduction of testosterone 

metabolism resulting from the blockage induced by finasteride. The decrease in the 

androstenedione to testosterone and estrone to estradiol ratios observed after hCG 

treatment, however, strongly suggests increased activity of the 17-ketosteroid 

reductase enzyme and an improvement of the testicular capacity for testosterone 

production.

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3.) Effects of finasteride, a type 2 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, on fetal development in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta).

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Prahalada S; Tarantal AF; Harris GS; Ellsworth KP; Clarke AP; Skiles GL; MacKenzie 

KI; Kruk LF; Ablin DS; Cukierski MA; Peter CP; vanZwieten MJ; Hendrickx AG

Department of Safety Assessment, Merck Research Laboratory, West Point, 

Pennsylvania 19486, USA.

Teratology (UNITED STATES) Feb 1997 55 (2) p119-31 ISSN: 0040-3709

Language: ENGLISH

Document Type: JOURNAL ARTICLE 

Journal Announcement: 9709

Subfile: INDEX MEDICUS

In genetic male fetuses, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) plays an important role in 

normal prostatic and external genital differentiation. The enzyme steroid 5-alpha 

reductase (5 alpha R) catalyzes the conversion of testosterone (T) to DHT. The 

importance of 5 alpha R in sexual differentiation is evident from the study of human 

genetic males who congenitally lack this enzyme and consequently develop ambiguous 

genitalia. These individuals are specifically deficient in the type 2 isozyme, 

whereas the normal type 1 isozyme activity has been found. The purpose of this study 

was to determine 1) the suitability of the rhesus monkey for testing the safety of 5 

alpha R inhibitors when administered during pregnancy and 2) the potential risk of 

administering a known type 2 5 alpha R inhibitor, finasteride, during the critical 

period of internal and external genital differentiation in rhesus monkeys. In vitro 

studies were also performed on selected rhesus monkey tissues to determine the 

distribution of the 5 alpha R isozymes. Gravid monkeys were treated once daily from 

gestational days (GD) 20 to 100. Sonographic monitoring was performed during the 

course of gestation to monitor viability, growth, and organ system development. 

Detailed fetal evaluations for developmental abnormalities were performed at term (GD 

152 +/- 2). A group of 13 pregnant monkeys ("positive control") were given a high 

oral dose (2 mg/kg/day) of finasteride to demonstrate that inhibiting type 2 5 alpha 

R results in specific external genital abnormalities in male fetuses. Thirty-two 

pregnant monkeys were administered an intravenous (i.v.) formulation of finasteride 

at doses of 8, 80, or 800 ng/day. The highest i.v. dose selected was at least 60-750 

times the semen levels of finasteride in man given orally 5 or 1 mg/day, respectively. 

Seventeen vehicle-control pregnant monkeys were also included. Administration of a 

high oral dose (2 mg/kg/day) of finasteride resulted in external genital 

abnormalities characterized by hypospadias, preputial adhesions to the glans, a small 

underdeveloped scrotum, a small penis, and a prominent midline raphe in male fetuses; 

however, no developmental abnormalities were seen in female fetuses. Similarly, no 

abnormalities were observed in either male or female fetuses of mothers given iv 

doses (8, 80, or 800 ng/day) of finasteride during pregnancy. The in utero 

sonographic findings in fetuses correlated with the gross findings at term. These 

studies have shown that external genital abnormalities can be produced in male monkey 

fetuses when exposed to a high oral dose (2 mg/kg/day) of finasteride, whereas no 

abnormalities were observed in fetuses exposed to the i.v. formulation of finasteride. 

Detailed in vitro studies demonstrated that the rhesus monkey also has two 5 alpha R 

isozymes (types 1 and 2) with a tissue distribution similar to that seen in man and, 

furthermore, that finasteride is a potent, mechanism-based inhibitor with selectivity 

for both human and rhesus type 2 5 alpha R. These studies have demonstrated that the 

monkey is a suitable model for assessing the safety of 5 alpha R inhibitors 

administered during pregnancy.

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4.) [Retrospective study of the treatment of 329 patients with prostatism syndrome and review of the literature]

Analisis retrospectivo del tratamiento de 329 pacientes con sindrome de prostatismo y revision de la bibliografia.

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Fernandez Gomez JM; San Martin Blanco A; Sahagun Arguello JL; Rabade Rey CJ; Perez 

Garcia FJ; Alonso Sainz F

Servicio de Urologia, Hospital Ntra, Hospital Universitario, Universidad de Oviedo, 

Espana.

Arch Esp Urol (SPAIN) Nov 1996 49 (9) p929-43 ISSN: 0004-0614

Language: SPANISH Summary Language: ENGLISH

Document Type: 

JOURNAL ARTICLE; REVIEW; REVIEW, TUTORIAL English Abstract

Journal Announcement: 9707

Subfile: INDEX MEDICUS

OBJECTIVES: New drugs for the treatment of prostatism have been developed in recent 

years; only surgery, however, has been demonstrated to achieve cure. Each modality 

of drug therapy may afford symptomatic relief in those patients in whom surgery is 

not indicated and a symptom-based stepwise indication could be established. METHODS: 

329 patients with prostatism were treated by surgery, administration of finasteride, 

alphablockers or plant extracts, according to the recommendations of the WHO. 

Patient evaluation included abdominal US. PSA determination and uroflowmetry. 

Patients with urodynamic or other derangements were excluded from the study. 

RESULTS: Patients with a worse quality of life and important obstructive symptoms 

underwent surgery. Patients with important obstructive symptoms and no complications 

requiring surgery (infection, urinary retention, etc.) received finasteride, which 

proved to be effective in these patients, although 16.6% required another type of 

treatment and two presented impotence. Patients treated with plant extracts had 

moderate prostatism; 17% of these patients required another type of treatment. 

Patients treated with alphablockers presented symptoms that were similar to those 

treated with plant extracts, but they had a more important irritative component; 24% 

of these patients withdrew from the study due to the side effects or inefficacy of 

their treatment regimen. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies and a longer follow-up are 

warranted to determine whether these new drugs can replace or effectively delay 

(avoiding the appearance of complications) surgery. We believe that the indications 

for each treatment should be established according to the different stages of 

prostatism. Moreover, further insight into the pathogenesis of BPH, appropriate 

diagnostic methods and patient selection are essential to the development of new 

therapeutical modalities and to achieving enhanced results. (36 References)

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5.) Finasteride-related cutaneous vaculitis [letter]

Lear JT; Byrne JP

Postgrad Med J (ENGLAND) Feb 1996 72 (844) p127 ISSN: 0032-5473

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6.) TI: Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of the hirsute patient.

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AU: Knochenhauer-ES; Azziz-R

AD: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA.

SO: Curr-Opin-Obstet-Gynecol. 1995 Oct; 7(5): 344-50

ISSN: 1040-872X

PY: 1995

LA: ENGLISH

CP: UNITED-STATES

AB: Most patients with hirsutism demonstrate hyperandrogenemia, which may be caused by polycystic ovary syndrome, nonclassic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, insulin resistance and, occasionally, neoplasms. In this review, current methods of diagnosis and recent advances in the medical treatment of hirsutism and hyperandrogenemia are discussed, including the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs, flutamide, spironolactone, finasteride, and ketoconazole.

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7.) TI: Comparison of finasteride versus spironolactone in the treatment of idiopathic hirsutism.

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AU: Erenus-M; Yucelten-D; Durmusoglu-F; Gurbuz-O

AD: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.

SO: Fertil-Steril. 1997 Dec; 68(6): 1000-3

ISSN: 0015-0282

PY: 1997

LA: ENGLISH

CP: UNITED-STATES

AB: OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of finasteride and spironolactone in the treatment of idiopathic hirsutism. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, single-blind study. SETTING: A tertiary hirsutism clinic. PATIENT(S): Forty women with idiopathic hirsutism were selected. INTERVENTION(S): Patients were assigned randomly to receive either 5 mg of finasteride or 100 mg of spironolactone for 9 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Hirsutism scores were measured according to the Ferriman-Gallwey scoring system, and side effects were monitored for 9 months of treatment. Blood samples were taken at each visit for assessment of endocrine, biochemical, and hematologic parameters. RESULT(S): Hirsutism scores were decreased significantly in both groups at the end of 9 months. The mean percent change (+/- SD) in hirsutism scores in the finasteride and spironolactone groups was as follows: 5.91% +/- 7.18% and 20.60% +/- 12.59% at 3 months, 10.61% +/- 12.18% and 32.57% +/- 15.68% at 6 months, and 15.15% +/- 15.38% and 42.36% +/- 12.31% at 9 months, respectively. There was a significantly better response with spironolactone treatment at the end of 9 months. Eleven (55%) of 20 patients in the spironolactone group experienced side effects. However, none of them stopped treatment because of side effects. CONCLUSION(S): The present data suggest that both finasteride and spironolactone are effective in the treatment of idiopathic hirsutism. However, it appears that the spironolactone group responded significantly better.

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8.) Ti: The effects of finasteride (Proscar) on hair growth, hair cycle 

stage, and serum testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in adult 

male and female stumptail macaques (Macaca arctoides). 

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Au: Rhodes L; Harper J; Uno H; Gaito G; Audette-Arruda J; Kurata S; 

Berman C; Primka R; Pikounis B.

Ad: Merck Research Laboratories, Rahway, New Jersey 07065-0900. 

So: J Clin Endocrinol Metab; 79(4):991-6, 1994 Oct. 

Ab: Finasteride, a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, was administered 

orally (1 mg/kg.day) for 6 months to six male and five female 

stumptail macaques. Vehicle was given to five male and five 

female animals over the same period of time. Hair weights in a 

defined 1-in.2 area of frontal scalp were measured periodically 

every 1-2 months, and serum was collected for measurement of 

testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. In addition, scalp biopsies 

were taken before and 6 months after treatment to evaluate the 

micromorphometry of hair follicles. Results showed that both male 

and female serum dihydrotestosterone levels were significantly 

reduced (60-70%) by finasteride treatment. Both males and females 

showed statistically significant increases in mean hair weight 

over the treatment period compared to controls (P = 0.034). In 

addition, there was a statistically significant increase in mean 

follicle length (measured histologically in scalp biopsies) 

compared to baseline in the finasteride-treated animals (P = 

0.028). These data show that an inhibition of 5 alpha-reductase 

in the stumptail macaque can reverse the balding seen with age in 

both the male and female animals (Au).

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9.) Ti: A prospective randomized trial comparing finasteride to 

spironolactone in the treatment of hirsute women. 

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Au: Wong IL; Morris RS; Chang L; Spahn MA; Stanczyk FZ; Lobo RA.

Ad: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern 

California School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90033. 

So: J Clin Endocrinol Metab; 80(1):233-8, 1995 Jan. 

Ab: Enhanced 5 alpha-reductase activity has been found in the skin of 

the majority of women with hirsutism. Finasteride is a specific 

competitive inhibitor of 5 alpha-reductase, preferentially 

inhibiting the type 2 isoenzyme. Therefore, we randomly assigned 

14 hirsute women in a 2:1 ratio to 1 of 2 treatment arms: 1) 

finasteride (F) treatment (n = 9; 5 mg, orally, daily), or 2) 

spironolactone (S) treatment (n = 5; 100 mg, orally, daily). Each 

group was treated for 6 months. Patients were evaluated at 

baseline and after 3 and 6 months of treatment. The 2 groups were 

similar in age, weight, hip/waist ratio, baseline 

Ferriman-Gallwey score (F, 19 +/- 2; S, 19 +/- 2), and baseline 

androgen levels. Finasteride treatment resulted in a significant 

increase in testosterone (T; P < 0.01) and the 

T/dihydrotestosterone ratio (P < 0.01). Finasteride caused a 

significant decrease in 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol 

glucuronide (3 alpha-diolG; P < 0.05), the 3 alpha-diolG/T ratio 

(P < 0.01), and the 3 alpha-diolG/androstenedione ratio (P < 

0.05). All changes were consistent with 5 alpha-reductase 

inhibition. In contrast, spironolactone treatment did not result 

in significant changes in serum hormone levels. Both treatments 

produced a significant decrease in anagen hair diameters [F, 

-14.0 +/- 6.7% (P < 0.05); S, -13.4 +/- 3.8% (P < 0.05)] and 

Ferriman-Gallwey scores [F, -2.1 +/- 0.4 (P < 0.05); S, -2.5 +/- 

0.7 (P < 0.05)]. In conclusion, despite significantly different 

effects on androgen levels, finasteride and spironolactone 

treatment resulted in a similar clinical effect on hirsutism. 

Both caused significant, but limited, improvement in hirsutism. 

Although promising, further studies with finasteride are needed 

to verify its effectiveness as a treatment for hirsutism. Such 

studies will also provide a better understanding of the relative 

contribution of 5 alpha-reductase isoenzymes to hirsutism (Au).

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10.) Ti: Case report: finasteride-induced gynecomastia in a 62-year-old 

man. 

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Au: Volpi R; Maccarini PA; Boni S; Chiodera P; Coiro V.

Ad: Department of Medicine, University of Parma, Italy. 

So: Am J Med Sci; 309(6):322-5, 1995 Jun. 

Ab: The authors describe a case of bilateral (with left prevalence) 

gynecomastia in a 62-year-old man after finasteride treatment 

because of benign prostatic hypertrophy. Finasteride is an 

inhibitor of 5 alpha-reductase, the enzyme responsible for 

testosterone metabolism to dihydrotestosterone. In this patient, 

nonspecific endocrine alterations were found, except for a 

significant decrease in dihydrotestosterone levels. In addition, 

there were no pathologic conditions affecting other organs or 

pharmacologic treatments that could be responsible for 

gynecomastia. Drug withdrawal started a progressive reduction of 

the lumps until complete their disappearance. It is possible that 

gynecomastia was caused by alterations of estrogen/androgen ratio 

because of a finasteride-induced decrease in circulating 

dihydrotestosterone levels. In this article, the authors confirm 

finasteride antiandrogenic activity and recommend a close 

follow-up of long-term treatments with finasteride to find out 

other possible side effects (Au).

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11.) Ti: Clinical and endocrine effects of finasteride, a 5 

alpha-reductase inhibitor, in women with idiopathic hirsutism. 

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Au: Ciotta L; Cianci A; Calogero AE; Palumbo MA; Marletta E; Sciuto 

A; Palumbo G.

Ad: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Catania, 

Italy. 

So: Fertil Steril; 64(2):299-306, 1995 Aug. 

Ab: OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of long-term administration of 

finasteride on hirsutism score, basal gonadotropin, and androgen 

secretion in women with idiopathic hirsutism. DESIGN: Randomized 

single-blinded study. PATIENTS: Eighteen patients with 

moderate-severe hirsutism were recruited for the study. 

INTERVENTIONS: Nine hirsute patients received 7.5 mg/d oral 

finasteride for a period of 9 months whereas the other nine were 

treated with placebo. Hirsutism score, serum basal gonadotropin, 

androgens, estrogen, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) 

levels were evaluated in all patients before treatment and every 

3 months during treatment. RESULTS: After 6 and 9 months of 

treatment, the hirsutism score improved significantly in the 

patients receiving finasteride, whereas no significant 

modifications were observed in patients treated with placebo. The 

side effects observed were headache and depression of modest 

entity during the 1st month of treatments, whereas libido did not 

change. Serum levels of LH, FSH, androstenedione, unbound T, 

DHEAS, E2, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, and SHBG did not change 

during therapy. Hirsute patients treated with finasteride 

exhibited a marked decrease of dihydrotestosterone and a 

significant increase of T serum levels from the 3rd and 6th 

months of treatment, respectively. CONCLUSION: Finasteride 

decreased the hirsutism score of patients affected by idiopathic 

hirsutism with few side effects during treatment. No modification 

of libido was observed (Au).

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12.) Reversible severe myopathy during treatment with finasteride.

Haan J; Hollander JM; van Duinen SG; Saxena PR; Wintzen AR

Department of Neurology, Leiden University Hospital, The Netherlands.

Muscle Nerve (UNITED STATES) Apr 1997 20 (4) p502-4 ISSN: 0148-639X

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13.) Results Of New Study Confirm Propecia Works Only In Men

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WEST POINT, PA -- May 4, 1998 -- New research presented this weekend

at an international hair loss workshop in Brussels, Belgium, has determined that

Merck & Co., Inc.'s Propecia(R) (finasteride 1 mg), the once-a-day pill to

treat certain types of men's hair loss, is not an effective treatment for women

with hair loss.

The results of a one-year study in 136 women showed that there was no

significant difference in the change in mean hair count at 12 months between

post-menopausal women treated with Propecia and those given a placebo.

The United States Food and Drug Administration cleared Propecia for

Marketing in December 1997 for men only. In clinical studies over 1,800 men,

18 to 41, with mild to moderate male pattern hair loss on the vertex (at the top

of the head) and anterior mid-scalp area were treated for up to two years. In

These studies, hair count increased during the first year and was maintained in

those men taking Propecia for 24 months. Men in the placebo group continued

to show progressive hair loss.

Although the differences in the factors that cause hair loss in men and women

are not fully understood, Joanne Waldstreicher, M.D., senior director of clinical

research, Merck Research Laboratories, said women normally have lower

levels of androgens (male sex hormones, such as testosterone and

dihydrotestosterone) than men. Propecia blocks the conversion of testosterone

to dihydrotestosterone and, by this mechanism, appears to interrupt a key

factor in the development of androgenetic alopecia in men who are genetically

predisposed.

Preliminary efficacy data from this new study are available on 65 women (mean

age 53.2) in the group treated with Propecia and 69 women (mean age 52.6) in

the group given a placebo, or sugar pill. Hair counts were obtained from a one

centimetre square area (approximately 0.155 square inch) in the anterior and

mid-area portion of the scalp at baseline, six months and 12 months. Of the

women in the trial, 73 were on hormone replacement therapy as well. The use

of hormone replacement therapy did not affect the outcome of the study.

Results of the study showed that:

-- the women treated with Propecia experienced an 8.4 percent decrease in

hair count (150.3 hairs at baseline to 141.0 at 12 months)

-- the women given placebo experienced a 6.5 percent decrease in hair count

(164.8 hairs at baseline to 157.8 at 12 months).

The difference between the treatment and placebo groups was not statistically

significant. In addition, global photographs of the scalp were reviewed by a

blinded panel of dermatologists. Analysis of these photographs revealed no

significant difference in results between the placebo group and the group

treated with Propecia.

"With no demonstrated efficacy and the known risks of Propecia in women

who are or may potentially be pregnant, this study establishes that Propecia

should be used in men only," Dr. Waldstreicher added.

Women who are or may potentially be pregnant must not use Propecia and

should not handle crushed or broken tablets because it may cause abnormalities

of the male baby's sex organs. Propecia tablets are coated and will prevent

contact with the active ingredient during normal handling, provided the tablets

have not been broken or crushed.

In an earlier analysis of 1,215 men with hair loss in the vertex area of the scalp

who were followed for up to two years, 83 percent had the same or higher hair

count versus 28 percent of the placebo group. Most men reported an increase

in the amount of their hair, a decrease in hair loss and improvement in

appearance. There is not sufficient evidence that Propecia works for recession

at the temporal areas. Men may need to take Propecia daily for three months

or more to see visible results.

In clinical studies in men, Propecia was generally well-tolerated and side effects

were uncommon. A very small number of men reported less desire for sex,

difficulty in achieving an erection and/or a decrease in the amount of semen.

Each of these side effects occurred in less than two percent of men. These side

effects went away in all men who discontinued therapy because of them and

also disappeared in 58 percent of men who chose to continue taking Propecia.

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DATA-MEDICOS/DERMAGIC-EXPRESS No (5) 20/10/98 DR. JOSE LAPENTA R. DERMATOLOGO

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Produced by Dr. José Lapenta R. Dermatologist
Venezuela 1.998-2.024

Producido por Dr. José Lapenta R. Dermatólogo Venezuela 1.998-2.0024

Tlf: 0414-2976087 - 04127766810