Proscar® (finasteride 5 mg) tablets for benign prostatic hyperplasia

What Proscar® Is and How It Works

Proscar® contains finasteride 5 mg. It is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Proscar 5mg tablets are taken once daily to ease urinary symptoms and reduce the risk of acute urinary retention and BPH-related surgery. It blocks conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which helps shrink enlarged prostate tissue over time.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy based in Manitoba, meeting Canadian pharmacy standards. Orders are reviewed by licensed pharmacists before dispensing, and you can order online with support from our friendly customer-service chat during posted office hours. To keep prices affordable, we work with licensed, vetted international partner pharmacies and wholesalers, offering authentic brands and a broad selection at Canadian prices.

Proscar® is not approved for hair loss; the 1 mg strength (marketed as Propecia®) is used for male pattern hair loss. Finasteride at 5 mg focuses on BPH symptoms such as weak stream, frequent urination, and nocturia. Tablets are film-coated and taken by mouth, with or without food.

Dosage and Usage

The usual adult dose for BPH is finasteride 5 mg once daily. Take at the same time each day. Consistent daily use is needed; maximum benefits may take several months.

• If a dose is missed, take it when remembered the same day.
• Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for the next dose.
• Do not take two doses at once.
• Do not crush or chew tablets. Avoid splitting unless directed by a prescriber and safe handling can be assured.

Handling precautions: women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not handle crushed or broken tablets due to potential risk to a male fetus.

• Store your tablets at 15–30 °C in a dry place.
• Keep in the original, child-resistant container.
• For travel, carry your medication in hand luggage with your prescription label.
• Do not store in a bathroom or leave in a hot car.

Benefits and Savings

Proscar® improves urinary flow, reduces hesitancy, and lowers nighttime urination for many patients with BPH. It lowers the chance of acute urinary retention and the need for prostate surgery over time. Steady once-daily dosing makes long-term use straightforward, and tablets can be taken with or without food.

You can access brand and Finasteride generic options at Canadian prices through YouDrugstore. Typical customers report 60–80% savings versus common U.S. retail prices, which can make ongoing therapy more affordable. Multi-month supplies and bulk promotions may reduce the per-month Proscar cost. Reorder reminders help prevent gaps in therapy.

Side Effects and Safety

Most people tolerate finasteride well. Some effects relate to DHT reduction and may improve with continued use or after stopping. Seek medical help for serious symptoms.

• Common: decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, reduced ejaculate volume, breast tenderness or enlargement, dizziness, rash.
• Less common: testicular discomfort, ejaculation disorder, mood changes.
• Serious: breast lumps, nipple discharge, persistent depression or suicidal thoughts, swelling of lips/face (angioedema), severe skin rash.

Finasteride lowers PSA levels by about 50% after several months. PSA test results should be interpreted with this in mind, and baseline PSA is often obtained before therapy. Proscar® is contraindicated in pregnancy and not indicated for women or children. Do not donate blood while taking finasteride and for at least one month after the last dose to avoid exposure to a pregnant recipient.

Drug interactions are uncommon. Always tell a prescriber about all medications and supplements before starting therapy.

Onset Time

Some symptom relief may start within a few weeks, but meaningful improvement usually builds over 3 to 6 months of daily use. Prostate shrinkage continues over time, and risk reductions for urinary retention and surgery are typically seen after several months of treatment.

Compare With Alternatives

Alpha-blockers such as tamsulosin or doxazosin relax prostate and bladder neck muscles for quicker symptom relief, often within days. They do not shrink the prostate, so combining an alpha-blocker with finasteride can provide both rapid and sustained benefits.

Dutasteride is another 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor that blocks both type I and II enzymes. It may reduce DHT more completely but has a similar side-effect profile. Choice depends on patient factors and prescriber preference.

Tadalafil 5 mg daily can improve urinary symptoms and erectile function. If erectile dysfunction coexists with BPH, a prescriber may consider tadalafil. You can review Cialis® options and discuss suitability with a healthcare professional.

For hair loss, Propecia 1 mg (finasteride) is used rather than 5 mg. When the goal is scalp hair maintenance, lower-dose finasteride is preferred.

Combination Therapy

For moderate to severe BPH, an alpha-blocker plus Proscar® is a common strategy. The alpha-blocker offers faster symptom relief, while finasteride reduces prostate size and long-term progression risk. Blood pressure can drop with some alpha-blockers, so monitoring may be needed.

Daily tadalafil may also be used in select patients, either alone or with an alpha-blocker, when erectile dysfunction is present. Combination choices should be individualized by a prescriber based on symptoms, prostate size, and comorbidities.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Proscar® is intended for adult men with BPH. It is not for women or children. Caution may be needed in liver disease, significant urinary retention, or if there is suspicion of prostate cancer. Discuss family history, planned PSA testing, and any mood changes with a healthcare professional.

To manage costs, consider generic finasteride 5 mg, multi-month supplies, and bulk promotions when available. Reorder reminders can help keep treatment continuous. If urinary symptom relief is a priority, a prescriber may add an alpha-blocker at the start, then reassess as finasteride benefits develop. For erectile or BPH-related questions, the article Understanding Cialis Side Effects And How To Manage Them may help. Explore related information in our condition hubs for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Male Pattern Baldness.

People considering tadalafil can also read What Is Tadalafil The Ed Medication You Should Know About to learn more before seeing a prescriber.

Authoritative Sources

See the manufacturer and regulatory information for detailed prescribing guidance: the Merck Proscar Prescribing Information, Health Canada’s Drug Product Database entry for Proscar (finasteride), and the U.S. FDA label for finasteride.

YouDrugstore offers brand and generic medicines at Canadian prices with careful pharmacist review before shipping. Order online or by phone where available, and reach our customer-service chat during posted hours for help with checkout or refills. We ship to the U.S. with prompt, express, cold-chain shipping when needed.

This page is for general information and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis, treatment decisions, and individual dosing. Read the patient information that comes with your medication.