Propecia side effects

All prescription drugs have potential side effects. These may occur commonly or may only happen in very extreme cases. Experts believe that Propecia has NO common side effects which is more than can be said for most approved drugs.

It is important to consider though, that more serious side effects have been reported, in very rare instances.

In the majority of cases Propecia works safely and effectively. And during three 12 month scientific studies, just 1.4% of patients taking Propecia stopped taking the drug because of adverse experiences that may have been related to the drug. These experiences were mostly of a sexual nature; they included decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and ejaculation disorder (decreased volume of ejaculate).

Only a small number of men taking part in the trial experienced side effects. Overall, among the 945 men, just 3.8% reported side effects with Propecia. Meanwhile, around 2% of men who were given a placebo treatment (or 'sugar pill') also had these effects.

Propecia may cause problems for patients suffering from prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Cardiovascular effects can also occur, including postural hypotension and hypotension, while dizziness, headache and abdominal pain have also been reported.

Breast pain or tenderness is another side effect that has been reported.

Although Propecia is not intended to be used by women, it is worth knowing that pregnant women who come into contact with the drug (even just handling a tablet) can experience harmful side effects such as an abnormal birth.

If you experience any side effects with Propecia, it is vital that you speak to a doctor. To minimise the risk of problems it's worth speaking to a GP before taking Propecia, so they can check whether you are suitable for the treatment.

You should not take Propecia if you have been diagnosed with liver disease, abnormal liver enzyme tests, prostate cancer, a bladder muscle disorder, stricture of your urethra or if you are unable to urinate due to infection.

Stopping Propecia

If you stop taking Propecia then any side effects you may have been experiencing generally subside. During a course of Propecia treatment your body gradually adapts to the medication, so as long as the adverse effects are only minor and you feel you can bear them, it may simply be a case of waiting for your body to get used to the drug. However, any extreme reactions should be reported to your doctor immediately.

Propecia's safety

The important thing to remember is that the majority of men who take Propecia experience no side effects. Even for those that do, the problem can usually be remedied without the need for a doctor to step in.