Finasteride for Prostatitis
How It Works
Finasteride interferes with the effect of male hormones (androgens)
on the
prostate gland, which cause the prostate to become
larger. This stops the growth of the prostate and can even cause it to become
smaller. Stopping the growth of the prostate or reducing its size may help
relieve pain or urination problems caused by
prostatitis.
Why It Is Used
Finasteride may be prescribed for men who have prostatitis (especially
chronic prostatitis/pelvic pain syndrome, inflammatory) and who also have moderate
symptoms of prostate enlargement.
How Well It Works
Some studies have shown that finasteride can help with symptoms of
prostatitis. But in other studies, finasteride didn't improve symptoms any more
than placebo.1
Side Effects
Side effects may include:
- Decreased sex drive.
- Reduced ejaculatory volume.
- Difficulty
getting an erection, though sexual activity before the study was
not evaluated.
It is possible that finasteride is linked to an increased risk for high-grade prostate cancers. But more research is needed.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference
is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
This medicine should not be used by men who may father a child,
because it may cause birth defects in male babies. Women who are pregnant or
might become pregnant should not handle crushed finasteride tablets. There is a
small chance that the medicine could get into the woman's system and cause a
birth defect.
Finasteride reduces prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Because
PSA levels are used to detect early-stage prostate cancer, men interested in
taking finasteride might consider the following:
- Some experts suggest that men be checked for
the presence of prostate cancer (using the PSA test and a digital rectal exam)
before starting to take finasteride.
- Follow-up PSA tests that have
not decreased by approximately 50% after 6 months of taking finasteride may
point to a need for further testing for prostate cancer.
- PSA levels
above 2 ng/mL during finasteride treatment may point to a need for further
testing for prostate cancer.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
References
Citations
- Nickel JC (2007). Inflammatory conditions of the male
genitourinary tract: Prostatitis and related conditions, orchitis, and
epididymitis. In AJ Wein et al., eds., Campbell-Walsh Urology, 9th ed., vol. 1, pp. 304–329. Philadelphia: Saunders
Elsevier.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology, Oncology |
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| Last Revised | August 23, 2011 |
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Last Revised:
August 23, 2011
Nickel JC (2007). Inflammatory conditions of the male
genitourinary tract: Prostatitis and related conditions, orchitis, and
epididymitis. In AJ Wein et al., eds., Campbell-Walsh Urology, 9th ed., vol. 1, pp. 304–329. Philadelphia: Saunders
Elsevier.
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