Is there a chewable type of finasteride (5-alpha-reductase inhibitor) available for a male patient over 50 with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)?

Chewable Finasteride Formulation

No chewable formulation of finasteride is currently available or approved by the FDA for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Finasteride is manufactured and approved only as oral tablets in 1 mg (for androgenetic alopecia) and 5 mg (for BPH) strengths 1, 2.

Available Formulations

• Finasteride for BPH is available exclusively as 5 mg oral tablets that are swallowed whole 1, 2
• The standard dosing is finasteride 5 mg once daily for men with lower urinary tract symptoms and prostatic enlargement greater than 30cc 3, 4
• No alternative delivery systems (chewable, sublingual, liquid, or transdermal) are FDA-approved or commercially available 1

Important Administration Considerations

• Tablets should not be crushed or broken, particularly for handling by pregnant women or women of childbearing potential, as finasteride can cause birth defects if absorbed through skin contact 4
• The medication must be swallowed whole with water 1
• Patients who have difficulty swallowing tablets should discuss alternative BPH treatment options with their healthcare provider, such as alpha-blockers (tamsulosin, alfuzosin) or the alternative 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor dutasteride, though these are also only available as capsules or tablets 3, 1

Alternative Treatment Options for Swallowing Difficulties

If a patient cannot swallow tablets, consider:

• Alpha-blocker monotherapy (tamsulosin 0.4 mg) provides rapid symptom relief within 3-5 days and may be easier to swallow as a capsule formulation 3, 1
• Dutasteride 0.5 mg (soft gelatin capsule) may be an alternative 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, though it is also not chewable 5
• Surgical intervention (TURP) for patients with severe symptoms who cannot tolerate oral medications 3

Common Pitfall to Avoid

• Do not attempt to crush, break, or create a compounded chewable version of finasteride tablets without explicit guidance from a specialized compounding pharmacist, as this may alter drug absorption, efficacy, and create safety hazards for those handling the medication 4