Finasteride Administration with Food
Finasteride can be taken with or without food, as absorption is not significantly affected by food intake. 1
Recommended Dosing by Indication
For Male Pattern Hair Loss (Androgenetic Alopecia)
- Finasteride 1 mg once daily is the recommended dose for treating male pattern hair loss 2
- This dose can be taken at any time of day, with or without food 1
- Visible improvement typically begins by 12 weeks, with maximal benefit at 1-2 years 2
- Treatment must be continued long-term (5+ years) to maintain efficacy, as hair loss resumes if discontinued 2
For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
- Finasteride 5 mg once daily is the standard dose for BPH treatment 1
- Like the 1 mg dose, this can be taken with or without food 1
- Therapy should be continued for at least 6 months before evaluating clinical response 1
- This dose is most effective in men with demonstrable prostatic enlargement 3
Key Clinical Considerations
PSA Monitoring Requirements
- Both the 1 mg and 5 mg doses reduce PSA levels by approximately 50% after 12 months of therapy 2, 4
- For men taking finasteride 1 mg for hair loss who are approaching prostate cancer screening age (>40-45 years), obtain a baseline PSA before starting treatment 2
- When screening for prostate cancer in men on finasteride, the measured PSA value should be doubled after 1 year of therapy for accurate interpretation 2, 4
Sexual Function Effects
- Sexual adverse events (decreased libido, ejaculation disorders, erectile dysfunction) occur in approximately 2-4% more patients compared to placebo 2
- These side effects are uncommon after the first year of therapy and are reversible upon discontinuation 2
- The 1 mg dose does not affect spermatogenesis or semen production in young men 5