Proscar for Prostate: Benefits and Risks You Need to Know

As men age, their chances of developing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate gland, increase. Proscar is a prescription medication used to treat enlarged prostate.

Proscar is the brand name of the generic drug finasteride and, according to MedicineNet, it is used to shrink an enlarged prostate gland. Drugs.com said Proscar prevents testosterone from being converted to dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, a substance that is responsible for the development of BPH.

Because Proscar reverses BPH, it can also help alleviate the common symptoms associated with enlarged prostate including a weak urine stream, frequent urination, and the inability to completely empty the bladder during urination, said WebMD.

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According to WebMD, a risk to taking Proscar is that it can increase the chance of developing a serious form of prostate cancer. A physician can assess the risk for each individual patient to determine if Proscar if safe to use. Additionally, MedicineNet cautioned that taking Proscar can skew the results of the prostatic-specific antigen (PSA) blood test that is used to detect prostate cancer, so it is important to tell laboratory staff and your physician prior to getting this test.

Drugs.com listed the possible side effects of Proscar:

Dizziness
Headache
Abnormal ejaculation
Impotence, loss of interest in sex, or inability to reach orgasm
Weakness
Swelling in hands and feet
Runny nose
Skin rash
Feeling like you might pass out

Drugs.com also warned that the sexual side effects of Proscar such as the loss of interest in sex, trouble reaching orgasm, and ejaculation difficulties can persist even after Proscar is discontinued.

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WebMD said these more serious side effects of Proscar should be reported to your physician immediately:

Inability to urinate
Breast enlargement, pain or tenderness
Nipple discharge
Lump in the breast
A serious allergic reaction which includes rash, itching, trouble breathing and swelling in the face, tongue or throat

Finally, before taking prescription medications like Proscar, tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including herbal supplements.

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