Finasteride, sold under the brand names Proscar and Propecia

Posted , 8 users are following.

New to this site and my first post...

My urologist recommended Finasteride, sold under the brand names Proscar and Propecia, for my enlarged prostrate.  I'm concerned about the side effects, especially depression and anxiety.  Any advice?  Thank you.

1 like, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Posted

    How large is your prostate ? I've read that it is more helpful for larger prostates. I took it seven months, and quit, because it didn't help much. Maybe because my prostate is not large. No noticeable side effects. Hank

  • Posted

    First of all Dan.  Welcome to the site.  Dan you don't say how old you are.  Now This drug has a lot of side effects. and they do not consider them serious because doctor don't worry about our sex life.  I would not take this pill I will ask him for something that will do the same and not have some of the sexual side effects.  There should be something out there.  I look for a while.  All I came up with is Cialis which will help.  I came across this to help the prostate.  Exercise help the prostate.  If your over weight lose a few pounds.  Stay away from red meats.  For a healthy prostate you should eat more fish and vegetables also omega 3 fatty acid will help also.  In Japan green tea and cranberry juice.  Also zink and vitamin D are good for the prostate.  I would try anything before I would take that pill.  Can you tell me how big is your prostate.  The side effects from that pill can last forever  Ken  forever   

  • Posted

    Dan, welcome.  I was on Dutasteride for over two years along with Tamsulosin for over 10 years.

    Both have long lists of "possible" side effects but for myself I experienced none of them long term other than a slightly decreased volume of ejaculate but no loss of pleasure.

    If you do develop any of the side effects stick with it for a while and hopefully like me your body will "acclimatise" itself to them and they will no longer bother you.

    If you let yourself imagine you have developed some of the side effects then that's purely psychological and you'll have to deal with it thes same way you deal with other things in life that are bothersome and play on your mind.

    The goal of this treatment is to rid you of your BPH or at least lessen it and the symptoms that come with it and I can tell you now that some of those symptoms can be far, far worse than any real or perceived side effects which if left untreated, over time, will wear you down and make your life a misery.

    Good luck with whatever route you choose to follow.

     

  • Posted

    Dan, I forgot to mention that Dutasteride is a combination of two antagonists one of which is Finasteride.
  • Posted

    Hi, Dan,

    In my case I suffered a different Finasteride side effect; breast development. Not having any particular interest in competing with well-endowed women, I discontinued the Finasteride, quick smart!

    I would say that both depression and anxiety are serious enough to justify a thorough investigation into these side effects. But, I am not a medical doctor so this must be taken for what it is: my humble opinion, and no more.

    Warm regards, alan86734.

  • Posted

    Hi Dan,

    ?I've been taking Flomax for several years but two years ago my uro added Finasteride to the mix. Apart from loss of libido it did nothing so I ditched it after 10 months.

    ?I still take tamsulosin but I've experimented with various quack and snake-oil remedies, which are known to many on here. I am fairly happy with my concoction of various powders that I make my morning smoothie with because my libido returned and everything works for me apart from getting to the loo in time for a pee. As soon as I feel the urge I MUST go regardless where I am. Fortunately, I no longer get up in the night to pee like I used to.

    ?You need not concern yourself about depression and anxiety because you'll bring it on yourself if you do. Think positively and I bet things turn out better.

    Good luck,

    Chris.  

  • Posted

    I took Finesteride for years and really didn't have any side effects. It did effect my orgasms every once in awhile. But the benefits helped me more.

    Jim

  • Posted

    Good Morning Dan.  The only other thing I can tell you is try it and watch for the side effects.  Some you may get and some you may not.  Every man is different.  But you just have to see what you can deal with  Good luck  Ken 
    • Posted

      I for got to say I'm on Cyclobenzaprine ( Flexeril ) My Urologist gave it to me to relax my external sphincter muscle.  It does make me tired but I have a side effect that is not written down.  It does change my orgasm.  There not as intense as before the pills.  I do have the orgasm and I do ejaculate but very little feel.  I will be going out of town for 6 weeks and I am not taking them with me So I will see what will happen. If you do take the meds just be aware of what is going on with your body  Good luck  Ken     

  • Posted

    As others have said everyone reacts differently, and you may do fine.

    My Urologist prescribed it to me for prostatitis, and in my case I quit after about 10 weeks after experiencing terrible side effects: ED, mental fog and maybe depression, and incredibly bad insomnia.  After quitting all the effects gradually went away, but the insomnia took months, I finally saw a sleep specialist that helped me recover (without meds).  It probably didn’t help my mental state with coming to grips with having to CIC.  There even those who claim there is a post-Finasteride syndrome.  Do your research but don’t so much that everything will be in your head (I’m sure my comments don’t help).

    I’ve taken flowmax and now rapaflow for my BPH, and while I don’t like the side effects, they are at least tolerable most of the time.

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