Is propecia safe?

With one exception, propecia is one of the safest drugs on the market. There are no known adverse interactions with other drugs or everyday substances, and there are few physical disorders and diseases that limit the use of this drug in men - only liver insufficiency is a major concern. But this drug should not be taken or, in some cases, handled by women. There is clear evidence that exposure to propecia can cause damage to a male fetus in the womb. Thus, this drug should not be taken by any woman who is pregnant. More importantly, the drug can be absorbed through the skin. Thus, pregnant women should not handle broken tablets or tablets which have surface wear because of the risk of damage to the fetus.

It is almost certainly not effective to limit or reduce hair loss in older men, i.e. aged 65 and over. This will occur whatever treatment is tried.

What are the side effects?

You are unlikely to see any measurable results for at least three months and the effect of the drug is lost if you stop taking the tablets. Thus, starting treatment with propecia is a commitment to continuing it.

Side effects are relatively rare, affecting less than 2% of the men who take it. For the most part, the effects are sexual in nature, reflecting the fact that this drug affects the hormone balance in the body. The most common effect is a loss in libido. Even if the sex drive is maintained, the amount of semen produced can fall steadily over time and, in exceptional cases, produces infertility. In a small number of cases, there is a tenderness and swelling of the breast area of the chest, accompanied by an itchiness and rash in the groin area. The testicles can swell up and become painful. If these symptoms begin to show, you should seek immediate medical guidance on whether to continue taking this drug.