Description
Currently, there is a fairly large range of drugs designed to treat prostate diseases , in particular, benign prostatic hyperplasia. One of the most famous among such drugs is finasteride. Numerous positive reviews of patients and the results of large-scale clinical studies indicate the high effectiveness of this drug.
Indications and contraindications to the use of Proscalpin
Proscalpin (Finasteride) is used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. It helps prevent the occurrence of urological complications and reduce the need for surgical treatment. Proscalpin helps to reduce the prostate to normal size, improve urination and reduce the severity of manifestations characteristic of benign hyperplasia. The drug is given to men with an enlarged prostate .
Among the contraindications, the greatest importance is individual intolerance and hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
With caution finasteride is prescribed for persons with very reduced urine flow and a significantly increased volume of residual urine.
There is no data on the effect of finasteride on a male fetus, if a woman becomes pregnant from a man who undergoes treatment with this drug. Therefore, it is better to transfer pregnancy to the future, or temporarily stop taking Proscalpin, if it is possible to do so by the attending physician.
How Proscalpin works on the body?
A lot of men regularly give positive feedback about finasteride. Is it really that effective?
Finasteride is an inhibitor of 5-alpha-reductase. This enzyme is involved in the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. Reduces the concentration of dihydrotestosterone in the blood and in the tissues of the prostate.
The drug suppresses the formation of dihydrotestosterone, contributes to a significant reduction in prostate size, an increase in the flow rate of urine and a marked decrease in the intensity of signs of hyperplasia. The drug does not affect the lipid profile, does not change the concentration of thyroxine, prolactin, cortisol and estradiol in the blood plasma.
Patients who regularly took this medication for a long time noted a decrease in the level of dihydrotestosterone by an average of 70% and a decrease in prostate size by approximately 20-25%. In addition, the level of PSA ( prostatic specific antigen ) decreased by almost 50% relative to the initial level. There was an increase in testosterone content by 15-20%.
Already in 1-2 weeks after the start of treatment with the use of this drug in patients there is a significant decrease in the concentration of dihydrotestosterone and an increase in the concentration of testosterone in the tissues of the prostate.
Against the background of long-term use (longer than 4 years) finasteride in men with moderate or significant symptoms of hyperplasia, there was a decrease in the likelihood of urological complications and the need for surgical treatment. The prostate gland significantly decreased in size, the rate of urine flow increased significantly, and symptomatology improved.
The decrease in prostate size by approximately 20% is observed on average 3 months after the start of treatment. This is evidenced by the feedback and research results. However, in order to achieve stable and significant results, the course of treatment should be much longer. when discontinuing treatment, the prostate returns fairly quickly to its former size.
Thus, the drug finasteride helps reduce the size of the prostate, improve symptoms and increase urine flow.
Dosage and overdose Proscalpin
Specific dosage recommended by a doctor. In the instructions for the drug, the recommended values are given, but without first consulting a doctor, starting treatment is not recommended.
Usually the dosage is chosen so that the drug should be taken 1 time per day. You can not navigate to eating. The drug is used as a separate agent, and in combination with other medicines.
Patients with renal insufficiency of varying severity do not need to select an individual zone, because during the ongoing pharmacokinetic studies, there was no change in the distribution of the active substances of the drug in such patients.
Older patients also do not need an individual dose adjustment. However, it should be borne in mind that in men over the age of 70 there is a slight decrease in finasteride excretion. This is taken into account by the attending physician when choosing the dosage.
Undesirable effects in case of an overdose are not detected. However, it is better not to experiment and take the drug exactly at such doses that the doctor recommends. Recommendations for the treatment of drug overdose are not given.
Possible side effects when taking Proscalpin
A number of large-scale clinical trials were conducted, during which the safety of Proscalpin was assessed. One group of subjects took the drug, the other – a placebo. As a result, the incidence of adverse events in the first group was about 5%, in the second group – about 4%. Thus, in the absence of individual intolerance, the drug is practically harmless. Approximately 4% of the subjects experienced a decrease in sexual desire during the first year of treatment, problems with libido and ejaculation. During 2-4 years of study, the incidence of adverse events in the finasteride-receiving group was approximately the same as that of the placebo group.
Side effects are rare, but you can not ignore the possibility of their occurrence. Before the beginning of treatment it is necessary to consult with the doctor to confirm the absence of contraindications.
The following side effects are possible:
- Decreased sexual function, impaired potency , pain in the testicles, decreased sperm volume, ejaculation disorders.
- An increase in the size of the breast, a pain in the chest.
- Various allergic manifestations.
With prolonged treatment with finasteride, there was no increase in frequency and increased intensity of adverse events. The percentage of violations of sexual function decreased with time.
Special instructions for treatment with the use of this drug
Before starting treatment with the drug and periodically during therapy, the patient should undergo a rectal examination and take other tests to check for prostate cancer.
