Do NOT use Proscar if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Proscar
• the patient is a woman or a child.

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Some medical conditions may interact with Proscar. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a narrowing or blockage in the urinary tract, prostate cancer, nerve or muscle problems of the bladder, a bladder infection, severe trouble urinating, or if you are unable to urinate
• if you have a history of increased serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, abnormal liver function tests, or liver problems.

Some medicines may interact with Proscar. However, no specific interactions with Proscar are known at this time. Ask your health care provider if Proscar may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Important safety information:

• Proscar may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Proscar with caution. Do not drive or perform other possible unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Proscar may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Proscar may increase the risk of certain birth defects, including abnormal formation of genitalia in male fetuses. Proscar is coated to prevent contact with finasteride while handling undamaged tablets. The coating is not effective if the tablets are damaged, broken, or crushed. Women who are pregnant or may be pregnant should avoid contact with damaged, broken, or crushed tablets. If contact occurs, tell your doctor at once.
• Proscar may interfere with certain lab tests, including PSA tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Proscar.
• Proscar is for use by men only and should not be used by women or children.

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

Decreased sexual desire or ability.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); breast enlargement, lumps, pain, or tenderness; nipple discharge; testicular pain.

 This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider.