From the Guidelines
No, there is currently no liquid form of Proscar (finasteride) commercially available for prostate health. Finasteride is only manufactured and FDA-approved in tablet form, typically as 5 mg tablets for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) treatment 1. If you have difficulty swallowing pills, you could discuss with your healthcare provider about crushing the tablet and mixing it with soft food, though this should only be done with medical guidance. Some compounding pharmacies might be able to create a liquid suspension of finasteride by special order, but this would be non-standard and may have different stability or absorption characteristics than the approved tablet form. The tablet formulation was developed because finasteride is a stable, well-absorbed medication in this form, and the once-daily dosing makes the tablet an efficient delivery method. If swallowing tablets is problematic, alternative BPH treatments like tamsulosin or other alpha-blockers might be available in different formulations. Key points to consider when using finasteride include its efficacy in reducing prostate size, improving urinary flow, and alleviating BPH symptoms, as well as its potential side effects, such as sexual dysfunction, which are generally reversible and uncommon after the first year of therapy 1. It's also important to note that finasteride is most effective in patients with enlarged prostates and may not be suitable for those without prostatic enlargement 1. Overall, while there is no liquid form of finasteride available, the tablet form remains a viable treatment option for BPH, and patients should discuss their individual needs and concerns with their healthcare provider.
From the FDA Drug Label
Finasteride tablets, USP for oral administration are film-coated tablets that contain 5 mg of finasteride and the following inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch (maize), sodium starch glycolate, lauroylmacrogol 32 Glycer, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol, and FD & C blue #2/indigo carmine aluminium lake. The FDA drug label does not answer the question about a liquid form of Proscar (finasteride) for prostate health, as it only mentions film-coated tablets.
From the Research
Proscar (Finasteride) Liquid Form
- There is no mention of a liquid form of Proscar (finasteride) in the provided studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The studies discuss the effectiveness of finasteride in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and its benefits in reducing symptoms, improving urinary flow, and decreasing prostate volume 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, they do not provide information on the availability of a liquid form of the medication.
Finasteride Administration
- The studies mention that finasteride is typically administered orally, with a usual dose of 1mg or 5mg per day 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- There is no discussion of alternative forms of administration, such as a liquid formulation.